Dennis Barker has written a hard-hitting expose of the erosion of standards and values in the media world of newspapers, TV and radio over the past twenty years, in particular those of integrity, independence of thought and accuracy. He was prompted to start work on his book by the low standing of journalists - at the bottom near estate-agents and politicians - in recent opinion polls on the esteem in which the public holds those in different professions. He takes the reader through a whole gamut of journalistic 'tricks', which pinpoint the failings of the media, in over fifty short chapters, including 'the death of the reporter', 'prejudicial words', 'shovel it all in', 'the sub's role', 'my beautiful career', 'same old celebrities', 'money worship' and 'headlines and fib-lines'. In 'snubbing', we see how a colourfully dramatic conflict or a cauldron of ill-will can be created where possibly none exists. The general public is becoming increasingly aware of the unsatisfactory state of affairs in media journalism, which is highlighted by the periodic distortions caused by the political ambitions of chief executives and tycoons, misleading headlines, and its extraordinary obsession with celebrity culture. "Tricks Journalists Play" is essential reading for the majority of us who care about the pernicious effects of spin, misrepresentation and deception and social and international prejudice, the purveying of half-truths in relation to crucial issues that affect our future, and the failure to report fully and accurately on matters that have a bearing on freedom and democracy in this country. An experienced journalist himself, Dennis Barker has worked for the "Guardian" since the 1960s in many roles, from feature writer and media correspondent to general columnist, and at the moment is a contributor of obituaries, mainly in the media and entertainment spheres.

"Venice: The Anthology Guide" is the sixth edition, completely updated, revised and reset, of Milton Grundy's perennially fresh classic travel guide to the city. It is unlike any other guide, for it conducts visitors round Venice using the observations and opinions of famous writers and art historians to enlighten them. Among the people it quotes are Vasari, Ruskin, Berenson, Wittkower, Dickens, Henry James, A.J.C. Hare, Otto Demus, Ernst Gombrich, Michael Levey, Cecil Gould, Hugh Honour, James Morris and Alan Bennett. It includes thirty new colour illustrations, twenty of them by Sarah Quill, the renowned photographer of Venice. The book divides Venice up into seven walks and four excursions, with eight clear maps, so that people can see the maximum number of sights they wish to in a limited time. Its coverage of Venice's rich store of paintings and sculpture is as full as that of its unique architecture. Most of the illustrations - Sarah Quill's apart - are taken from old engravings and paintings, and, like the text, provide a fascinating historical perspective on the present day versions of the scenes and buildings they represent.

The publication of "Short Stories for Children" celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of Walter de la Mare's death. It is also the culmination of a major literary enterprise. For many people, Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) is as great a writer of fiction as of poetry. But, the majority of his short stories, of which there are a hundred, have long been unavailable. "Short Stories" brings them all together in three volumes in the first comprehensive collection to be published. The third and last volume, "Short Stories for Children", starts with "Broomsticks and Other Tales" of 1925, with its twelve stories, and continues with "The Lord Fish" of 1933 with seven stories. It includes three distinctive stories, 'Pigtails, Ltd', 'The Thief' and 'A Nose', that have never been reprinted since they originally appeared in Broomsticks. Quirky, disparate, unpredictable, acutely observed, sometimes frightening, and often preoccupied with states of mind and personal identity, these stories have much in common with the adult stories. Some of them are peopled with giants, witches, kind elves, evil and spiteful fairies, and imprisoned maidens in castles, but most are not.We find ourselves in railway trains, a mansion in the City of London, another Elizabethan one in a mysterious tract of country, a remote farm house near the sea, a waterlogged forest, a drawing-room being watched by a fly; and, among other things, we encounter a wise monkey, a haunted cat, a fish magician, a baron transmogrified into a donkey, a thief desperate to be burgled, a man who believes he has a wax nose, and a godmother celebrating her 350th birthday. As in de la Mare's poems, everyday reality may at any time become undercut by disturbing uncertainty and dark, though not always malign, forces. A full understanding of the poems and stories is impossible without knowledge of both. Vivid and timeless, Bold's original woodcut designs and Rex Whistler's original engravings have been used to illustrate the two parts of the book.

Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Walter de la Mare's death, this is the first of a three-volume collection bringing together his short stories. It includes The Riddle and Other Stories (1923) containing 15 stories, Ding, Dong Bell (1924) containing four stories, and The Connoisseur and Other Stories (1926) containing nine stories. Also included are 14 uncollected stories published between 1895 and 1920. De la Mare's earliet published works were stories, the first of them appaering in 1895. There was always a creative counterpoint between the themes and imagery of his prose and poetry, and a full understanding of either is unattainable without knowledge of both. The publication of this volume coincides with the 40th anniversary of Walter de la Mare's death. Kings College London will be holding a one-day conference featuring the stories of Walter de la Mare to coincide with the publication of volume one on November 7, 1996, including speakers such as Professor John Bayley, Julia Briggs, and Russell Hoban.

Bunches Of Grapes, Says Timothy; "Pomegranates Pink," Says Elaine; "A Junket Of Cream And A Cranberry Tart For Me," Says Jane.