Phonetics and Phonology: Theory and Practice


Book Description

This theory and practice book is aimed at first-year students of Phonetics and Phonology. It is designed for use on twelve- or fourteen-week course on English Phonetics and Phonology of sort taught in the first year of many English Language and Linguistics degree. Students on such courses can struggle with English Phonetics and Phonology. This book attempts to show students why we need to know about Phonetics and Phonology, if we are interested in language and our knowledge of it, as well as introducing the main units and concepts we require to describe speech sounds accurately. It is based on a book I wrote which was published in the previous year. The book, which had the title Fluency in English Pronunciation has now been revised and updated. Since I feel that this book still has some use, I have taken many great works from many experts in (English) Phonetics and Phonology, and hope that it will be useful to students in getting to grips with all matters in English Phonetics and Phonology.




The New Yorker Stories


Book Description

Here is the complete collection of the author's stories previously published in "The New Yorker" between the years 1974-2006.




Delver Magic Book II: Throne of Vengeance


Book Description

The Sphere of Ingar has been destroyed and pure magic now flows freely throughout the land of Uton. Magic casters arise as do the dark creatures that need magic to exist in this land. As the land changes and its inhabitants adapt, a growing wind of rebellion leads to potential disaster for all the races. The dwarf queen, Yave, declares war on the algors, blaming the desert dwellers for the tragedy which took the life of her eldest son. She leads a revolution against what remains of her own family. Dwarf separatists eager to assert their own superiority follow blindly as she begins her quest for revenge. Ryson Acumen, the pure bred delver who saved the land from Ingar's sphere, attempts to intervene. In response, human towns are attacked by the dwarf army of Dunop. Raids against the elves lead to escalated tensions. Even as the algors plan a response to protect their very existence, the elves threaten to unleash their own weapon of sheer terror against the dwarf city. The overriding need that brought the races together to defeat Ingar is gone as the land of Uton fractures into chaos.




Annals of the Nameless Dwarf (Books 1-6)


Book Description

A sprawling epic of redemption, heroism, and friendship in the face of insurmountable evil and an inexorable fate. "A beautifully written and engrossing masterwork!" (Mitchell Hogan) Fantasy Faction semifinalist for the SPFBO 2018 Child of an unreliable prophecy. Victim of a terrible deception. A soldier once. Then a killer of his own kind. A butcher. The Nameless Dwarf lies entombed beneath the earth, locked in an eternal sleep until the hour of Medryn-Tha's greatest need. With one shot at redemption, he must discover who he really is if he is to prevent the destruction of all the worlds and lead the dwarves to safety. But the deceptions that once cursed him have not been lain to rest. Every victory, every loss presents new dangers, new decisions. And history will remember him as the most cursed among the fallen, Or the greatest hero of legend. (Dungeons and dragons, Axe of the Dwarvish Lords, heroic fantasy, David Gemmell, Michael Moorcock, Gary Gygax, lich lord, undead, assassins guild, portal fantasy, hero quest, cyclops, zombies, witch, magic, sorcery, fantasy battles, myths and legends)




World Guide


Book Description




Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf


Book Description

The War of the Silver Marches rages across the Forgotten Realms in this unforgettable final episode in the Companions Codex The reunited Companions of the Hall are separated once more—thrown to the far corners of a war that’s bigger than any of them realized. They fight for the safety of Mithral Hall, but it’s their own souls, and the soul of Faerûn itself, that truly hangs in the balance. In the dreaded depths of the Underdark, Regis and Wulfgar seek shelter in the fabled Silverymoon, from which they can launch a series of daring new raids. The rest of the Companions reside at the besieged Mithral Hall, where new friends arrive on a mission of mercy—if such an emotion can rest in the heart of a dragon. Meanwhile, the orc warlord Hartusk turns his savage horde on Everlund, one of the great cities of the Silver Marches. Though it stretches his forces thin, it’s a move that could help him achieve his goal of becoming the master of the North. But Hartusk’s treacherous drow allies have a different goal. They want nothing except the death of Drizzt Do’Urden—even if it comes at the cost of human, dwarf, elf, and orc lives. The world is cloaked in darkness and blood runs in rivers across the North; orc hordes rage on and cities fall under brutal siege; old friendships are tested and new alliances are forged. But in the end, it may come down to a single dark elf choosing life over death, forgiveness over vengeance, law over chaos . . . peace over war. Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf is the third book in the Companions Codex and the thirtieth book in the Legend of Drizzt series.







The Greatest Bed-Time Stories


Book Description

The Greatest Bed-Time Stories anthology curates a magical compendium of tales that traverse the vivid spectrums of fantasy, adventure, and whimsy. Within its pages lie a rich tapestry of literary styles, ranging from fairy tales and fables to animal adventures and fantasy epics, embodying the very essence of what it means to journey into realms beyond our imagining. This collection stands as a testament to the timeless allure of bedtime storytelling, showcasing seminal works that have captivated readers of all ages, drawn from a pantheon of influential authors whose narratives have become cornerstones of children's literature. The assortment of stories, while diverse, coalesces around the central theme of wonder and the importance of dreams, laying bare the infinite possibilities afforded by the imagination. The contributing authors and editors, a venerable whos who of literary giants from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including Lewis Carroll, Hans Christian Andersen, and Beatrix Potter among others, bring a remarkable depth of creative talent and philosophical insight to the collection. Their works, each a reflection of the socio-cultural and historical milieus from which they emerged, collectively encapsulate a golden era of storytelling. These stories, beyond their surface entertainment value, delve into the intricacies of moral lessons, societal norms, and the human condition, offering a window into the historical and cultural landscapes of their time. This ensemble of voices, with their unique stylistic signatures and thematic explorations, creates a rich mosaic that is both educational and inspirational. The Greatest Bed-Time Stories is not merely a collection to be read; it is an journey to be experienced, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the wonderment of storytelling. It presents a unique opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of narrative innovation across generations, making it an indispensable addition to the libraries of young readers, educators, and anyone with an interest in the art of storytelling. Through these pages, readers are offered a gateway into understanding the universal power of stories to connect us across time and space, fostering a deeper appreciation for the craft of storytelling and the enduring legacy of its practitioners.




Dying Robin


Book Description




The importance of being a reader: A revision of Oscar Wilde's works


Book Description

This book explores Wilde's works from the hypothesis that they call upon the active participation of the reader in the production of meaning. It has a twofold objective: first, it shows that Wilde's emphasis on the creative role of the audience in his critical writings makes him conceive the reader as a co-creator in the construction of meaning. Second, it analyses the strategies which Wilde employs to impel the reader to collaborate in the creation of meaning of his literary works and casts light upon the social criticism derived from these. The examination of Wilde’s writings reveals how he gradually combined more sophisticated techniques that encouraged the reader's dynamic role with the progressive exploitation of self-advertising strategies for professional purposes. These allowed the ‘commercial’ Oscar to make his works successful among the Victorian public without betraying the ‘literary’ Wilde’s aesthetic principles. The present study re-evaluates Wilde as a critic and as a writer. It demonstrates that, while Wilde the ‘myth’ was ahead of his time in many ways, Wilde the ‘ARTIST’ anticipated in his aesthetic theory various themes which occupy contemporary literary theoreticians. Thus, it may contribute to give him the status he rightly deserves in the history of literature.




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