There are few systematic guides to the language used by the generation that fought the American Civil War. In the 150 years since the great conflict, our language has changed, and as meanings have become obscure or lost, links with this vibrant past have dissolved and much of that which had meaning to our forefathers no longer has the same meaning to us.

What did it mean to cross the bar""? What did it mean ""to see the elephant"" or ""to go South""? Why did the armies have so-called ninety-day men and hundred-day men? What were soldiers supposed to do when their commander shouted, ""Let her go, Gallagher""? How did one ""pay tribute to Neptune""? What was a ""picket pin""? Could one make a passable meal of ""possum beer"" and ""secession bread""? How did one ""vibrate the lines, "" and why would anyone want to attempt such a maneuver?

To address this need, Webb Garrison has pored over his notes from more than thirty years of research and study to produce this dictionary and encyclopedia of words and phrases (including nicknames and slang) commonly used during the war. Where appropriate, examples and anecdotes are included to illustrate meanings. Often overlooked naval terms and esoteric formal and informal military expressions are addressed as well as short descriptions of oceangoing vessels and river craft.

More than 2,500 entries and 250 illustrations cover the terms, equipment, and organization of the three million soldiers who fought in the war.""

kira-kira (kee ra kee ra): glittering; shining Glittering. That's how Katie Takeshima's sister, Lynn, makes everything seem. The sky is "kira-kira" because its color is deep but see-through at the same time. The sea is "kira-kira" for the same reason. And so are people's eyes. When Katie and her family move from a Japanese community in Iowa to the Deep South of Georgia, it's Lynn who explains to her why people stop on the street to stare. And it's Lynn who, with her special way of viewing the world, teaches Katie to look beyond tomorrow. But when Lynn becomes desperately ill, and the whole family begins to fall apart, it is up to Katie to find a way to remind them all that there is always something glittering -- "kira-kira" -- in the future.

The "Dictionary of Louisiana French (DLF)" provides the richest inventory of French vocabulary in Louisiana and reflects precisely the speech of the period from 1930 to the present. This dictionary describes the current usage of French-speaking peoples in the five broad regions of South Louisiana: the coastal marshes, the banks of the Mississippi River, the central area, the north, and the western prairie. Data were collected during interviews from at least five persons in each of twenty-four areas in these regions. In addition to the data collected from fieldwork, the dictionary contains material compiled from existing lexical inventories, from texts published after 1930, and from archival recordings.

The new authoritative resource, the "DLF" not only contains the largest number of words and expressions but also provides the most complete information available for each entry. Entries include the word in the conventional French spelling, the pronunciation (including attested variants), the part of speech classification, the English equivalent, and the word's use in common phrases. The "DLF" features a wealth of illustrative examples derived from fieldwork and textual sources and identification of the parish where the entry was collected or the source from which it was compiled. An English-to-Louisiana French index enables readers to find out how particular notions would be expressed in "la Louisiane."

Throughout the nineteenth century, miners were given virtually free rein to profit without having to worry about impacts to the land, water, and air. But during the twentieth century, the mining industry has evidenced serious concerns about its effects on the environment. Since the 1960s, mining and its consequences have become heated issues of public debate and legislative reform. By the mid-1970s, a number of industry hard-liners were still clinging to nineteenth-century values, but many more were accepting the legacy of mining's past and were beginning to integrate preservation and reclamation into their plans. 'Mining America" is a vivid account of the damage wrought by almost two centuries of mining, but its main focus is on the conflicting attitudes behind the destruction and on society's responses. Veteran author and historian Duane Smith asserts that the marriage of mining and environmental issues was bound to touch America's sensitive pocketbook nerve -- but the question now is, are all groups willing to pay the price?

In this book, Alexander Ross highlights how creative entrepreneurs saved the Hollywood studios in the 1970s by establishing the calculated blockbuster, consisting of key replicable markers of success, as Hollywood's preeminent business model. Ross demonstrates how visionary individuals such as Coppola, Spielberg, Lucas, and Zemeckis helped create the modern, calculated blockbuster business model (BBM). However, with the rise of streaming giants such as Netflix and the studios struggling to compete, many consumers of entertainment now elect to partake from the comfort of their homes, making the difference between “cinema� and “television� anachronistic. Revisiting the history of those pioneering 1970s blockbusters, Ross offers distinct analysis about whether or not the calculated blockbuster can continue to lead, or whether the streamers will continue to generate their own content and, eventually, fully control the dissemination process. Scholars of film studies, screenwriting, and popular culture will find this book of particular interest

The home of trusted Russian dictionaries for everyday language learning. A handy and affordable Russian to English and English to Russian reference for every day, including short grammars of Russian and English. The clear layout allows for fast and easy access when you most need it. Ideal for use on the go, at home, in the office, classroom or on your travels. Over 42,000 words and phrases and 60,000 translations. Designed for all those studying Russian who need maximum information in a handy travel format. Offers comprehensive and up-to-the-minute coverage of Russian and English, with additional notes warning the user of those words which are easily confused. Delivers the accuracy and reliability you expect from the Collins name. With natural, idiomatic example phrases, in-depth treatment of the most important core vocabulary and help to find the exact translation you want.

“The Collins English Dictionary is a book to be treasured, no home should be without one�, The Times. The largest single-volume English dictionary in print celebrates the extraordinary breadth and changing nature of world English, with more than 732,000 words, meanings and phrases. Updated with the very latest new words and senses, this is an unparalleled resource for word lovers, word gamers and word geeks everywhere. It draws on Collins’ extensive language databases and covers many literary and rare words useful for crossword solvers and setters as well as Scrabble players. Ideal for use at work, at home and for study – new words, new meanings and new uses are tracked by Collins’ lexicographers who monitor language change around the world. This, along with suggestions from the public on the award-winning collinsdictionary.com, ensures Collins English Dictionary truly is the home of living language. More place names and biographical entries – with over 9,500 place names and 7,300 biographies you will find thousands of fascinating facts and figures at your fingertips. The latest edition is beautifully designed and printed, and now with a protective slipcase, and is surprisingly light and easy to hold. Designed for day-to-day use, with a clear layout and virtual thumb tabs, it is also available in flexible formats to suit every user – in print, as a Kindle dictionary and an iOS app.

You will never be lost for words in your travels around Spain and the Spanish islands again! Your ideal pocket-sized travel companion and the accompanying free ebook will ensure that you can say what you need in Spanish with ease and confidence. Reliable, portable and easy-to-use, this phrasebook is an indispensable travel companion as you deal with the situations that crop up every day on holiday; from finding a chic hotel, or hiring a car to explore the countryside, to choosing a local delicacy from the menu, and, of course, setting up your wifi. With helpful travel information and cultural tips, plus a 3000-word dictionary, make sure you don’t go anywhere without this little book – an essential guide to speaking and understanding Spanish when travelling in Spain and the Spanish islands. Access your free ebook at collins.co.uk/ebooks

The home of trusted Japanese dictionaries for everyday language learning. A handy and affordable Japanese to English and English to Japanese reference for every day, including short grammars of Japanese and English. Offers travellers and learners at home, school or in the office extensive and up-to-date coverage of Japanese and English in a portable format. 27,000 translations. Designed for all those studying Japanese who need maximum information in a handy travel format. Offers comprehensive and up-to-the-minute coverage of Japanese and English, with additional notes warning the user of those words which are easily confused. Delivers the accuracy and reliability you expect from the Collins name. With natural, idiomatic example phrases, in-depth treatment of the most important core vocabulary and help to find the exact translation you want. All Japanese words, phrases and translations are shown with their romanized transcription – ideal for beginners.

The Ching Room A pitch-black two-hander set in a toilet cubicle. Rory realises he is out of his depth once he becomes trapped by the terrifying and enigmatic drug-dealer, Darren.  Cast size: 2M. “Has subtle depth as a meditation on drug culture… The character of Darren is a demon for our times.� The Scotsman “Exudes the same sort of self-assurance as Gregory Burke’s debut, Gagarin Way… You can see real talent at work here.� Metro “As tight as a short drama set in a toilet cubicle should be…A curiously compelling little play… A script riddled with priceless back-alley gems.� The Herald “It’s exciting, totally absorbing theatre.� City Life, Manchester Turbo Folk A sharp look at Scottish nationality at home and abroad. Set in the sort of bar you wouldn’t take tourists to, in an unspecified Balkan country, Turbo Folk earned Bissett a nomination for Best New Play at the 2010 Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS).  Cast size: 3M. “Tells its story with pace and economy and delivers a real and frightening dramatic punch… The games Bissett plays with language are dazzling.� The Scotsman

Dieser Band informiert über die Herkunft sowie die Verwendung von Runen und gibt einen Überblick über die Runeninschriften vom 3. Jahrhundert nach Christus bis in das späte Mittelalter. Er erklärt die Voraussetzungen zur Deutung von Runen und Runendenkmälern und bietet eine kleine Geschichte der Runologie. Die fünfte Auflage wurde um ein umfangreiches Kapitel zur aktuellen Forschungslage erweitert.e.

Learn to get your ideas across clearly and correctly—the easy way English Grammar All-in-One For Dummies is packed with everything you need to know to communicate with confidence—in your writing, on standardized tests, at work, on social media, and everywhere else. Strong verbal and written skills can help you get where you want to be, and this easy-to-understand Dummies guide will help you understand the English grammar principles you need to know so you can improve your understanding of basic grammar and punctuation rules, easily identify parts of speech, and communicate more effectively. Learn the basics of punctuation—periods, commas, semicolons, and beyond Write clearer e-mails and messages, or ace the writing section of your test Navigate pronouns and make sure you’re using inclusive language Practice with end-of-chapter quizzes and even more online practice English Grammar All-In-One For Dummies is an excellent resource for students, professionals, job seekers, non-native-English learners, and anyone who wants to brush up on using this crazy language we call English.

The home of trusted full-colour visual dictionaries for everyday use. A photographic guide to the key words and phrases in Italian. This attractive pocket-sized book is a perfect travel companion and provides a practical guide to Italy and Italian language and culture. Everyday words are arranged in themes with carefully selected up-to-date images to illustrate key words and phrases, and an English and Italian index help you to find words quickly as you learn. 3,000 essential words and phrases for modern life in Italy are at your fingertips with topics covering food and drink, home life, work and school, shopping, sport and leisure, transport, technology, and the environment. Great care has been given to represent modern Italian culture and enhance your experience of Italy and its people, including customs, celebrations, and festivals. Plus, download your free audio to hear native speakers pronounce the word for each image and get your pronunciation pitch perfect, available from collinsdictionary.com/resources#visual

More than a quarter million copies sold! A creative writer’s shelf should hold at least three essential books: a dictionary, a style guide, and Writing Fiction. Janet Burroway’s best-selling classic is the most widely used creative writing text in America, and for more than three decades it has helped hundreds of thousands of students learn the craft. Now in its tenth edition, Writing Fiction is more accessible than ever for writers of all levels—inside or outside the classroom. This new edition continues to provide advice that is practical, comprehensive, and flexible. Burroway’s tone is personal and nonprescriptive, welcoming learning writers into the community of practiced storytellers. Moving from freewriting to final revision, the book addresses “showing not telling,� characterization, dialogue, atmosphere, plot, imagery, and point of view. It includes new topics and writing prompts, and each chapter now ends with a list of recommended readings that exemplify the craft elements discussed, allowing for further study. And the examples and quotations throughout the book feature a wide and diverse range of today’s best and best-known creators of both novels and short stories. This book is a master class in creative writing that also calls on us to renew our love of storytelling and celebrate the skill of writing well. There is a very good chance that one your favorite authors learned the craft with Writing Fiction. And who knows what future favorite will get her start reading this edition?

Grammar Books/Grammar Workbooks include additional presentation and practice for grammar topics covered in the Student's Book.

Explains the uniquely American cultural references that appear in American English for students and professionals to increase their written command of the language. Language is a window into the soul of a culture. The hardest part for newcomers who want to master American English is not learning the alphabet, grammar, or vocabulary — it's understanding the distinctive way Americans approach the world. This book shows readers how to do just that. The American Way of Writing guides readers through the nuances of American English, providing a toolkit for non-native speakers who come to the United States to study, as well as international business and legal professionals who have to work and communicate with Americans in a professional or business context. Understanding what makes Americans uniquely "American" is a challenging subject for anyone to master. Such characteristics are always in flux and a source of constant debate. Steven D. Stark's comprehensive approach to American English in The American Way of Writing is suited to Americans and foreigners alike, offering a deeper understanding of the ties that bind rather than divide.

The home of trusted Mandarin dictionaries for everyday language learning. An easy-reference Chinese to English and English to Chinese dictionary. The easiest way to learn Mandarin Chinese for students with the clearest layout and entry structure. Each Chinese word and translation has a Pinyin transcription as well as Chinese characters. Designed for anyone starting to learn Chinese. The dictionary covers everyday language in both Chinese and English, so you can be sure of having access to all the vocabulary you need. All English translations underlined, Pinyin transcription of Chinese characters, and thousands of examples show you how to use the translation in context. Contains a supplement giving practical guidance on communicating in spoken Chinese, and a guide to writing Chinese characters. Hundreds of helpful language notes throughout the dictionary text. Clear layout ensures that you can find what you want quickly and easily.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia now has been under the spotlight of Western curiosity for more than 80 years. With each succeeding year, it seems to encounter increasing scrutiny and deepening suspicions about its intentions. Mre than 15% of the world’s total oil reserves lie underneath Saudi Arabia and, in the early 1990s, the kingdom became the world’s largest crude oil producer. Not surprisingly, a world highly dependent on oil regards the desert kingdom as an area of intense strategic concern, as reflected in the coalition of forces assembled on Saudi soil to oust Iraq from Kuwait in 1991, its role in the invasion of Saddam Husayn’s Iraq in 2003, and its shared concern with the West over Iran’s nuclear intentions throughout the 21st century. This third edition of Historical Dictionary of Saudi Arabia contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 1,000 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Saudi Arabia.

The key to perfecting your communication strategy

Great communication skills can make all the difference in your personal and professional life, and expert author Elizabeth Kuhnke shares with you her top tips for successful communication in any situation.

Packed with advice on active listening, building rapport with people, verbal and non-verbal communication, communicating using modern technology, and lots more, "Communication Skills For Dummies" is a comprehensive communication resource no professional should be without Get ahead in the workplaceUse effective communication skills to secure that new job offerConvince friends and family to support you on a new venture

Utilising a core of simple skills, "Communication Skills For Dummies" will help you shine--in no time

A comprehensive and practical guide to writing a successful media paper or report, from selecting a topic to submitting the final draft. How to Write about the Media Today is the first book to offer students and media practitioners a comprehensive approach for researching and preparing a report, paper, or presentation on some aspect of today's mass communication. How to Write about the Media Today begins with a discussion of different types of media outlets—from traditional newspapers and television to the Internet—as well as an overview of contemporary directions in media studies. This is followed by a series of step-by-step strategies for selecting topics, conducting research, and writing cogently and engagingly about media-related events and issues. Because each chapter stands on its own, this resource can be read sequentially or consulted topic-by-topic as needed.

Take your shot at becoming the next Tolkien, Asimov, or King with this simple roadmap to transforming your fiction into works of art Writing Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror For Dummies is your skeleton key to creating the kind of fiction that grips readers and compels them to keep turning pages (even if it's well past their bedtime!) You'll start with the basics of creative writing--including character, plot, and scene--and strategies for creating engaging stories in different forms, such as novels, short stories, scripts, and video games. After that, get beginner-friendly and straightforward advice on worldbuilding, before diving headfirst into genre-specific guidance for science fiction, horror, and fantasy writing. This book also offers: Strategies for editing and revising your next work to get it into tip-top shape for your audience Ways to seek out second opinions from editors, experts, and even sensitivity readers Techniques for marketing and publication, working with agents, and advice for writers going the self-publishing route The perfect beginner's guide for aspiring writers with an interest in horror, fantasy, or science fiction, Writing Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror For Dummies is the first and last resource you need before you start building your next story about faraway lands, aliens, and fantastic adventures.

A photographic guide to the key words and phrases in Vietnamese. This attractive pocket-sized book is a perfect travel companion and provides a practical guide to Vietnam and Vietnamese language and culture. Everyday words are arranged in themes with carefully selected up-to-date images to illustrate key words and phrases, and an English and Vietnamese index help you to find words quickly as you learn. 3,000 essential words and phrases for modern life in Vietnam are at your fingertips with topics covering food and drink, home life, work and school, shopping, sport and leisure, transport, technology, and the environment. Great care has been given to represent modern Vietnamese culture and enhance your experience of Vietnam, including customs, celebrations, and festivals. Plus, download your free audio to hear native speakers pronounce the word for each image and get your pronunciation pitch perfect, available from collinsdictionary.com/resources#visual