- Table View
- List View
The Second 100 Chinese Characters: Simplified Character Edition
by Alison Matthews Laurence MatthewsThis book is a quick and easy way to learn the second 100 basic Chinese characters.All beginning students of Chinese struggle to memorize and learn to write the Chinese characters. The Second 100 Chinese Characters adopts a structural approach which helps students to quickly master the basic characters that are fundamental to this language. Intended for use after The First 100 Characters, this book presents characters that have been carefully selected for rapid and effective learning.The English meanings, pronunciations in Hanyu Pinyin and alternate forms (if any) for each Chinese character are presented along with a stroke order guide and spaces for writing practice. Printed with gray guidelines, the stroke order guides are designed to be traced over to teach students the standard sequence of strokes used to write the character. Related compounds and phrases are given to assist in vocabulary building.This book contains:The second 100 most common Chinese charactersStandard hanyu pinyin romanizations for each characterCompounds and phrases for vocabulary buildingStep-by-step stroke order diagrams show you how to write each characterSpecial boxes with grid lines help yo practice writing them correctlyCompounds and sample sentences provide easy vocabulary building
The Second 100 Chinese Characters: The Quick and Easy Method to Learn the Second 100 Basic Chinese Characters
by Alison Matthews Laurence MatthewsThis book is a quick and easy way to learn the second 100 basic Chinese traditional characters.The major struggle facing all beginning Chinese language students is to learn to recognize, read and write hundreds of Chinese characters. <P><P> The Second 100 Chinese Characters adopts a structural approach that helps students to overcome this initial difficulty and quickly master the basic Chinese characters that are fundamental to this language. Intended for beginning students, this book contains characters that have been carefully selected and sequenced for rapid and effective learning.For effective leaning, memorization and practice, each Chinese character is shown separately on a single page, together with its English definitions, hanyu pinyin romanization, alternate form (if any), a stroke order guide and ample space for writing practice. This book featuresThe second 100 most frequently-used Chinese charactersFoundation characters for the HSK A level language proficiency testStandard hanyu pinyin romanizationsStep-by-step stroke order guides and ample space for writing practiceOver 500 words and phrases containing the basic charactersConcise English definitions
The Second 100 Japanese Kanji: The Quick and Easy Way to Learn Basic Japanese Kanji
by Eriko SatoThis is an invaluable study guide for learning Japanese characters.The major struggle facing all beginning Japanese language students is to learn to recognize, read and write hundreds of Japanese characters.<P><P> The Second 100 Japanese Kanji adopts a structural approach that helps students to overcome the initial difficulty of reading kanji and writing kanji and quickly master the basic Japanese characters that are fundamental to this language. Intended for beginning students, this beginner kanji guide teaches characters that have been carefully selected and sequenced for rapid and effective learning. Each kanji is shown separately on a single page, along with its different readings, its English meanings, romaji (romanization), a stroke-order guide and ample space for writing practice.This book includes: Step-by-step stroke order diagrams for each character. Special boxes with grid lines to practice writing characters. Words and phrases using each kanji. Romanizations (romanji) to help identify and pronounce every word.
The Second Book of General Ignorance: Everything You Think You Know Is (Still) Wrong
by John Lloyd John MitchinsonFrom the brains behind The Book of General Ignorance comes another wonderful collection of the most outrageous, fascinating, and mind-bending facts, taking on the hugely popular form of the first book in the internationally bestselling series. The original Book of General Ignorance was published in 2006. It has since been translated into twenty-six languages and sold over 1.2 million copies. Now, just when you thought that it was safe to start showing off again, John Lloyd and John Mitchinson are back with another busload of mistakes and misunderstandings. Here is a new collection of simple, perfectly obvious questions you'll be quite certain you know the answers to. Whether it's history, science, sports, geography, literature, language, medicine, the classics, or common wisdom, you'll be astonished to discover that everything you thought you knew is still hopelessly wrong. For example, do you know who made the first airplane flight? How many legs does an octopus have? How much water should you drink every day? What is the chance of tossing a coin and it landing on heads? What happens if you leave a tooth in a glass of Coke overnight? What is house dust mostly made from? What was the first dishwasher built to do? What color are oranges? Who in the world is most likely to kill you? Whatever your answers to the questions above, you can be sure that everything you think you know is wrong. The Second Book of General Ignorance is the essential text for everyone who knows they don't know everything, and an ideal stick with which to beat people who think they do.From the Hardcover edition.
The Secret Beach: The stunning, escapist and gorgeously romantic new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author
by Veronica HenryTHE STUNNING AND ROMANTIC NEW NOVEL FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR VERONICA HENRY!'Dreamy and irresistible!' JILL MANSELL'A summery tale of intrigue, family drama and romance. I loved it!' SARAH MORGANTwenty years.One secret.A promise never to tell...Nikki finally owns the little coastguard cottage of her dreams - and it's a few steps away from the hidden beach that means so much to her.But when a handwritten note lands on her doorstep, she realises it's only a matter of time before the heartbreaking truth of her past is uncovered.Twenty years ago, her whole world was turned upside-down when a terrible storm rolled into the small seaside town of Speedwell.Ever since that night, Nikki has been keeping a secret. One she knows has the potential to destroy the lives of those she loves most.Because as sure as the tide turns, there are no secrets in a small town...Your favourite authors love The Secret Beach:'What an amazing book! Veronica always delivers a cracking read, but this is exceptional' MILLY JOHNSON'Family secrets, a beautiful Cornish setting and a beach like no other... I was swept away!' LUCY DIAMOND'Captivating and romantic. I completely fell in love with Speedwell' HEIDI SWAIN'A wonderful treat of a read!' SUE MOORCROFT'A story filled with so much heart. Simply gorgeous!' LIZ FENWICK'Warm, wise, and completely wonderful. I now want to move to Speedwell immediately' ALEX BROWN
The Secret Beach: The stunning, escapist and gorgeously romantic new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author
by Veronica HenryTHE STUNNING AND ROMANTIC NEW NOVEL FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR VERONICA HENRY!'Dreamy and irresistible!' JILL MANSELL'A summery tale of intrigue, family drama and romance. I loved it!' SARAH MORGANTwenty years.One secret.A promise never to tell...Nikki finally owns the little coastguard cottage of her dreams - and it's a few steps away from the hidden beach that means so much to her.But when a handwritten note lands on her doorstep, she realises it's only a matter of time before the heartbreaking truth of her past is uncovered.Twenty years ago, her whole world was turned upside-down when a terrible storm rolled into the small seaside town of Speedwell.Ever since that night, Nikki has been keeping a secret. One she knows has the potential to destroy the lives of those she loves most.Because as sure as the tide turns, there are no secrets in a small town...Your favourite authors love The Secret Beach:'What an amazing book! Veronica always delivers a cracking read, but this is exceptional' MILLY JOHNSON'Family secrets, a beautiful Cornish setting and a beach like no other... I was swept away!' LUCY DIAMOND'Captivating and romantic. I completely fell in love with Speedwell' HEIDI SWAIN'A wonderful treat of a read!' SUE MOORCROFT'A story filled with so much heart. Simply gorgeous!' LIZ FENWICK'Warm, wise, and completely wonderful. I now want to move to Speedwell immediately' ALEX BROWN
The Secret Bridesmaid: The laugh-out-loud romantic comedy of the year!
by Katy BirchallYou are cordially invited to the wedding of the year . . .Sophie Breeze is a brilliant bridesmaid. So brilliant, in fact, that she's made it her full-time job.As a professional bridesmaid, Sophie is hired by brides to be their right-hand woman, posing as a friend but working behind the scenes to ensure their big day goes off without a hitch. From wrangling rowdy hen dos to navigating last minute portaloo cancellations and family dramas, there's no problem she can't solve. So when she's hired by an actual Marchioness to help plan the society wedding of the year, it should be a chance for Sophie to prove just how talented she is. Of course, it's not ideal that the bride, Cordelia Swann, is an absolute diva and determined to make Sophie's life a nightmare. It's also a bit inconvenient that Sophie finds herself drawn to Cordelia's posh older brother, who is absolutely off limits. And when a rival society wedding is announced, things start to get rather complicated... Can Sophie pull off the biggest challenge of her career, win over a reluctant bride, and catch the eye of handsome Lord Swann - all while keeping her true identity a secret, and her dignity intact?Heartwarming and hilarious, The Secret Bridesmaid celebrates the joys (and foibles) of weddings, the nuances of female friendship, and the redeeming power of love in its many, unexpected forms.(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
The Secret History of Balls
by Josh ChetwyndYou may fancy yourself a sports fan, but chances are you don't know: A fish eyeball was used as the center of some nineteenth-century baseballs The race to make better billiard balls led to the invention of plastics The Nerf ball was originally created to be part of a board game featuring cavemen Balls are the unsung heroes of sports. They are smacked, flung, dribbled, crushed, thrown, and kicked. They're usually only the subject of scrutiny when something goes wrong: a tear, the application of an illegal foreign substance, or a dent from overuse. Nevertheless, if you're watching nearly any major sporting event from around the world, you're likely following the ball wondering where it will go next. . . The Secret History of Balls mines the stories and lore of sports and recreation to offer insight into 60 balls-whether they're hollow, solid, full of air, or stuffed with twine or made of leather, metal, rubber, plastic, or polyurethane-that give us joy on playing fields and in every arena from backyards to stadiums around the globe. .
The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll
by Christopher KnowlesSex. Drugs. Loud music. Wild costumes. Dazzling light shows. These words can all describe a great rock concert or a hot dance club, but they were also part and parcel of the ancient cultural phenomenon known as the "Mystery religions." In this book, author Christopher Knowles shows how the Mystery religions got a secular reincarnation when a new musical form called rock 'n' roll burst onto the scene. The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll traces the history of the Mysteries - their rise, their fall, and their survival through long centuries of repression. Knowles shows how the Mysteries prefigured subcultures as diverse as Santeria, Freemasonry, Mardi Gras and even the Holiness churches of the American frontier, and explains exactly how ancient rituals and music found their way to the New World. In the process, The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll traces the development of rock's most popular genres such as punk and heavy metal, and reveals how many of rock's most iconic artists play the same archetypal roles as the ancient gods. You'll see how many of the rituals and customs and even musical styles of our postmodern society have stunning ancient parallels. You'll meet history's first pop
The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll
by Christopher KnowlesSex. Drugs. Loud music. Wild costumes. Dazzling light shows. These words can all describe a great rock concert or a hot dance club, but they were also part and parcel of the ancient cultural phenomenon known as the "Mystery religions." In this book, author Christopher Knowles shows how the Mystery religions got a secular reincarnation when a new musical form called rock 'n' roll burst onto the scene. The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll traces the history of the Mysteries -- their rise, their fall, and their survival through long centuries of repression. Knowles shows how the Mysteries prefigured subcultures as diverse as Santeria, Freemasonry, Mardi Gras and even the Holiness churches of the American frontier, and explains exactly how ancient rituals and music found their way to the New World. In the process, The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll traces the development of rock's most popular genres such as punk and heavy metal, and reveals how many of rock's most iconic artists play the same archetypal roles as the ancient gods. You'll see how many of the rituals and customs and even musical styles of our postmodern society have stunning ancient parallels. You'll meet history's first pop
The Secret History of the Mongols: And Other Pieces
by Arthur WaleyFirst published in 1963. The Secret History (so called merely because it was meant for the Mongols and not for the Chinese,) has been chiefly studied from a learned point of view and its quality as literature and hence its value to the lay reader have been greatly overlooked. The Chinese version has been used, but with constant reference to the Mon
The Secret Language of Dogs: Unlocking the Canine Mind for a Happier Pet
by Victoria StilwellExplore the Inner World of DogsRecent studies into the minds of canines show that they have a rich social intelligence and a physical and vocal language as complex and subtle as our own. In The Secret Language of Dogs, world-renowned trainer and star of Animal Planet's It's Me or the Dog Victoria Stilwell reveals how to both interpret and "speak" the hidden language of dogs. This book is your guide to understanding your pooch, communicating effectively, strengthening your bond, and helping dogs learn in the most effective way possible so they feel confident navigating the human world with success. Along the way, you'll learn the answers to questions such as: * What do different tail wags mean? * What does being right-pawed say about my dog's personality? * How can I tell the difference between boredom barking and warning barking? * What does it mean when my dog spins around, arches his back, or gives me the whale eye? * Do dogs feel guilt? * How do dogs perceive human faces? * Why do some scientists think dogs' emotional experience is even greater than ours?Filled with adorable full-color photographs and instructive illustrations, this insightful "dog decoder" will soon make you dog's best friend.From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Secret Language of Flowers: The Historical Symbolism And Spiritual Properties Of Flowers Throughout Time (DK Secret Histories)
by DKDiscover the uses and symbolic meanings of flowers over the centuries and across the globe.Flowers have been depicted as objects of beauty and wonder in countless paintings and poems, exchanged as tokens of love and affection, and displayed as symbols of both celebration and remembrance – &“saying it with flowers&” is truly part of the human experience. But how does the significance of flowers vary across cultures and at different points in history? And what makes certain flowers special?The Secret Language of Flowers explores the meaning of more than 85 flowers, tracing their history as symbols and charting their role in folklore and mythology around the world. This fascinating book on flowers can help you to:- Unlock the meaning of flowers throughout history – from early peoples to the 19th century.- Discover the Victorian language of flowers popular in the US, UK, and Europe.- Gain insight into folklore and mythology in relation to different flowers.- Uncover what flowers mean in various cultures around the world. - Uncover traditional medicinal uses of plants, such as aloe, which is used to treat burns.Uncover the rich and fascinating histories of individual flowers – the sunflower, for example, which was regarded by the Aztecs as a symbol of war, but became a symbol of devotion in 19th-century painting due to the fact that it &“turns its head&” to follow the sun. Learn about the function of flowers in society, from the practical to the playful – flowers have been used as remedies and tonics – tea tree and coneflower (or echinacea), for example – as well as as a means of sending cryptic messages to lovers and friends.The Secret Language of Flowers is an entertaining guide to the rich stories that lie beyond the seductive aromas and dazzling beauty of flowers of all kinds. Each flower featured throughout the book is arranged by season, from the first snowdrops and primroses of spring, the glorious roses of summer, the stunning fuchsias and dahlias of autumn to the holly and poinsettia of the winter months, there&’s a flower for everyone to fall in love with. At DK, we believe in the power of discovery: So why stop there? If you like The Secret Language of Flowers, then why not try Great Loves which celebrates some of the most famous romances in history, or Lost Masterpieces to discover extraordinary stories behind the world's missing works of art.
The Secret Language of Knitters
by Mary Beth TempleThe expert knitter and author of Hooked for Life shares an irreverent guide to the loopy world of knitting jargon from &“Acrylic&” to &“Yarn Porn&”. If you&’ve ever wanted to know what knitters really mean when they say &“frog&”, &“WIP&”, or &“stash&”, The Secret Language of Knitters is for you. Written by acclaimed crafting author Mary Beth Temple, this dictionary will make you laugh as you learn the ins and outs of knitting terminology. Ideal for the knitting novice as well as the yarn-obsessed, it includes entries such as: * Design Elements noun: Mistakes. As in &“The fact that one sleeve is five inches longer than the other is not a mistake, it is a design element.&” * Moth noun: The devil incarnate, eater of both stash and finished objects. Should be treated with a zero-tolerance attitude. * Stress Knitting noun: When the going gets tough, the tough get knitting.
The Secret Life of Hidden Places: Concealed Rooms, Clandestine Passageways, and the Curious Minds That Made Them
by Stefan Bachmann April Genevieve TucholkeA spellbinding tour, filled with stories and photographs, of some of the world&’s most fascinating architectural mysteries. This wondrous guide for the curious and the intrepid takes readers on a lushly photographed and lyrically written tour of eighteen of the world&’s most captivating architectural mysteries. Delve into both the secretive places themselves and the eccentric and obsessive minds that created them. Visit a chamber of skulls high in the Swiss Alps, a Japanese temple full of traps, a Parisian apartment locked and untouched since World War II, a Prohibition-era speakeasy in Washington, DC, and a spooky &“initiation&” well in Portugal built by a secret society. How far down can you climb before losing your nerve?
The Secret Life of Plants: A Fascinating Account of the Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Relations Between Plants and Man
by Peter Tompkins Christopher BirdThe world of plants and its relation to mankind as revealed by the latest scientific discoveries. "Plenty of hard facts and astounding scientific and practical lore."--Newsweek
The Secret Life of your Cat: The visual guide to all your cat's behaviour
by Vicky HallsWho knows what's going through your cat's mind when he does the things he does? Why does he dart from room to room for no real reason? Why does he hiss at empty spaces? And where does he go when he disappears for days on end? Cats are curious creatures, but with The Secret Life of your Cat you'll soon be able to decipher his actions and gain a greater understanding of his world. Written by the most popular cat author in the UK, Vicky Halls' affable and insightful prose analyses every situation and reveals your cat's inner-most thoughts, unveiling the mysteries of his behaviour and helping to build a better bond between you and your pet. Fully-illustrated throughout, with in-depth explanations for all feline habits and a quick-reference section allowing you to quickly locate any issues, The Secret Life of your Cat ensures that you'll no longer be bemused by his peculiar antics.
The Secret Lives of Garden Bees
by Jean VernonA friendly, accessible guide into the weird, but wonderful world of bees in the gardens of the UK.From the common or garden bumblebees that nest in bird boxes, compost heaps, and old mouse holes making “Winnie the Pooh” style honey pots to feed their babes; to the quirky wool carder bee, a solitary bee that combs the fluff from garden plants to line her brood cells; and the amazing leaf cutter bee that carves chunks out of plant foliage to seal its egg chambers . . .This book will reveal the secrets and fascinating lives of the bees that live and breed in your garden, from buzz pollination, to the bee robbers that cheat the plants and steal nectar by stealth.With a chapter per season to explore what you are likely to see in your garden, great plants to grow to help them, plus other fascinating information on these secretive creatures, this book is designed to bring alive the world of garden before your very eyes.“The colorful narrative radiates the authors love for bees and is punctuated with heaps of beautiful photographs. Easily read from cover to cover or dipped in to when in need of bee identification.” —Sunday Express (UK)
The Secret Lives of Molecules
by Kathryn HarkupWhat happens when you really get under the skin of the world around you? Everything that surrounds us - and we ourselves - are made of molecules, constructed from a limited set of elements that can combine to form an almost limitless kaleidoscope of possibilities.Dr Kathryn Harkup reveals the inner lives of the invisible molecules that make up our world, ranging from the fundamental to the frivolous; via the psychedelic effects of caffeine to the deadly march of CO2 emissions. This is a book about the stories of discovery, the quirks of science and of human history that have enhanced our appreciation and understanding of the world.
The Secret Lives of Molecules
by Kathryn HarkupWhat happens when you really get under the skin of the world around you? Everything that surrounds us - and we ourselves - are made of molecules, constructed from a limited set of elements that can combine to form an almost limitless kaleidoscope of possibilities.Dr Kathryn Harkup reveals the inner lives of the invisible molecules that make up our world, ranging from the fundamental to the frivolous; via the psychedelic effects of caffeine to the deadly march of CO2 emissions. This is a book about the stories of discovery, the quirks of science and of human history that have enhanced our appreciation and understanding of the world.
The Secret Lives of the Elements
by Kathryn Harkup'A delightful and engaging treasure trove of a book that brings the chemical elements to life and gives them personalities of their own. A wonderful read for young and old alike to get you inspired by chemistry.' Jim Al-Khalili 'The perfect book to escape our human-sized existence and take a tour of the atomic world instead.' Helen Arney, science comedian and broadcasterWhen we think of the periodic table we picture orderly rows of elements that conform to type and never break the rules. In this book Kathryn Harkup reveals that there are personalities, passions, quirks and historical oddities behind those ordered rows, and shows us that the periodic table is a sprawling family tree with its own black sheep, wayward cousins and odd uncles. The elements in the periodic table, like us, are an extended family - some old, some newborn, some shy and reticent, some exuberant or unreliable. Dr Harkup tells the weird and wonderful stories of just fifty two members of this family - remarkable tales of discovery, inspiration and revolution, from the everyday to the extraordinary. Some elements are relatively anonymous; others, already familiar, are seen in a new light; and old friends have surprising secrets to share. From our green-fingered friend magnesium to the devil incarnate polonium, this eclectic collection of engaging and informative stories will change the way you see the periodic table for ever.
The Secret Lives of the Elements
by Kathryn Harkup'A delightful and engaging treasure trove of a book that brings the chemical elements to life and gives them personalities of their own. A wonderful read for young and old alike to get you inspired by chemistry.' Jim Al-Khalili 'The perfect book to escape our human-sized existence and take a tour of the atomic world instead.' Helen Arney, science comedian and broadcasterWhen we think of the periodic table we picture orderly rows of elements that conform to type and never break the rules. In this book Kathryn Harkup reveals that there are personalities, passions, quirks and historical oddities behind those ordered rows, and shows us that the periodic table is a sprawling family tree with its own black sheep, wayward cousins and odd uncles. The elements in the periodic table, like us, are an extended family - some old, some newborn, some shy and reticent, some exuberant or unreliable. Dr Harkup tells the weird and wonderful stories of just fifty two members of this family - remarkable tales of discovery, inspiration and revolution, from the everyday to the extraordinary. Some elements are relatively anonymous; others, already familiar, are seen in a new light; and old friends have surprising secrets to share. From our green-fingered friend magnesium to the devil incarnate polonium, this eclectic collection of engaging and informative stories will change the way you see the periodic table for ever.
The Secret Of Chess
by Lyudmil TsvetkovLearn the secrets of chess from the only person able to beat the world number 1 chess engine Stockfish. Learn chess 5 times easier through pattern recognition. Attain deep chess knowledge in an intuitive way through a wealth of diagrams(more than 500). Read about topics no other chess author has ever discussed in the past. This book is an entertaining story, combining in one all the elements of positional evaluation in chess. Learn things from the future of chess. Learning straight from the author who has contributed a lot for the development of the strongest chess engine on Earth, Stockfish.
The Secret Power of Masonic Symbols: The Influence of Ancient Symbols on the Pivotal Moments in History and an Encyclopedia of All the Key Masonic Terms
by Robert LomasAn illustrated guide to ancient Masonic symbols and how they have shaped our world throughout history.For more than five hundred years, the symbology of Freemasonry has fostered a secret stream of radical ideas running just beneath the surface of popular culture today. These ideas, illuminated by public symbols hidden in full view, have influenced and shaped the society we have today. Despite this ongoing record of inspiration, no illustrated guidebook to the basic ideas of Masonic Symbology has even been published and the story remains mysterious—until now.This authoritative guide reveals how this symbology has been the backdrop to key historical events in the history of humanity from ancient times and how, in more recent times, inspired leaders have harnessed the symbols’ power to bring about change in society. Renowned Freemasonry historian Dr. Robert Lomas takes you inside the Secret Order and shows you how Entered Apprentices first learn their craft, and how continual exposure to these mystical symbols can change the way you think. You’ll explore the six mysterious Tracing Boards that are at the heart of every Masonic Grand Lodge, ending with the final, most mystical symbol, known as “the Centre.” Let The Secret Power of Masonic Symbols be your personal guide and show you how these symbols have made their indelible mark on the past, and how they will continue to influence society in the future.
The Secret Power of You: Decode Your Hidden Destiny with Astrology, Tarot, Palmistry, Numerology, and the Enneagram
by Meera LesterThe Guide to Manifesting Your Destiny!Finally--you can unlock the secret to your destiny! Using insightful arts like astrology and tarot, you can find out more about your life's path. What's more, you'll master the law of attraction, and use it to:Harness the esoteric power of your soul and karmic numbersBecome more aligned with the dynamic energies of the stars and planetsEmbrace your individual personality type and creativity styleCreate personal rituals, affirmations, and practices to make the most of each and every daySet the intentions that attract love, prosperity, and abundanceThe Secret Power of You is all you need to unravel the mysteries of the universe, discover the true meaning of your life, and become everything you were born to be.