DAVID PICKERING

Perfect Family Quiz is an invaluable source of entertainment for the whole family. Whether youre looking for a fun way to spend a rainy day, an activity for a long car journey, or you simply want to improve your general knowledge, Perfect Family Quiz has all the questions and answers. With topics ranging from Beatrix Potter to Harry Potter, and from prime ministers to prime-time TV, this easy-to-use quiz book will provide hours of fun for everyone. The Perfect series is a range of practical guides that give clear and straightforward advice on everything from getting your first job to choosing your babys name. Written by experienced authors offering tried-and-tested tips, each book contains all you need to get it right first time.

A more-ishly browsable collection of words and phrases, linguistic quirks, lexical oddities and syntactic surprises.Our langauge is one of delight and curiosity. BUTTERING PARSNIPS, TWOCKING CHAVS is a guided tour of English, exploring the origins of words, their changing meaning, lexical peculiarities, word games and lost words, presented in lists, small passages of narrative text, amusing quotations and nuggets of amazing facts.This must-have compendium shows that words have a matchless power to entertain. Here you will find enough new words and phrases to last a lifetime. Idioms frolic beside cliches, catchphrases, proverbs, eponyms, acronyms, spoonerisms and split infinitives. Text messages cavort alongside business jargon and rap slang to produce a language that is both witty and bizarre, and sometimes frankly outstanding.So whether youre a yuppie or a woopie, a sinbad or dinky, a spod or even a wazzock, these pages will provide endless hours of delight and fascination.

An entertaining and authoritative introduction to the world of piracy history comes to life through a compelling factual narrative and enlightening illustrations. Why did seamen become pirates? What was life like on board a pirate ship? How did they go about plundering the enemys ship? What sort of treasure did they capture? Collins Gem Pirates vividly explains and illustrates the development of piracy from ancient times to the modern day. It addresses why piracy started and disappeared, but focuses on the so-called Golden Age of piracy in the seventeenth century, debunking the myths that surround this period, and bringing it to life through an exploration of the personalities, vessels and places involved. They were a disciplined bunch, on the whole, with strict codes of conduct to adhere to and severe punishments for those who broke the rules. There is no evidence to suggest that pirates ever made their victims walk the plank; instead, they were more likely to be marooned on an island. Did you know that following his execution, Captain Kidds body was dipped in tar and hung by chains along the River Thames, as a warning for would-be pirates? Or that the fearsome Edward Teach (a.k.a. Blackbeard) plundered over 40 ships, but probably never killed a man until his final battle? Or that captains Anne Bonny and Mary Read spent most of their careers disguised as men, because women on ship were thought to bring bad luck? The mysteries and myths surrounding piracy continue to fascinate children and adults alike. This gripping book provides a real and lively insight into this stimulating bygone era.

All the essential facts on ancient Egypt covering mummification, the pharaohs, the pyramids and the mysterious rituals. The ancient Egyptians have fascinated and enthralled the minds of millions down the centuries. With extensive scientific knowledge, splendid architecture and many artistic and cultural achievements, their civilisation stood apart as being ahead of its time. This compact and informative guide is perfect for all those studying ancient Egypt, visiting the sights, or curious to find out more about this fascinating period. Includes a wide range of topics such as: Geography how the Nile added to the success of their civilisation History a timeline spanning 3,000 years from 3100BC to 395AD and covering each dynastic period Religion the role of the gods and goddesses Pharaohs Cheops, Nefertiti and Tutankhamun Life in Ancient Egypt different levels in society, the jobs, family life, leisure activities Learning and knowledge the hieroglyphs, the scribes War the armies, weapons and armour Death, funeral rites and mummification Tombs and pyramids Egypt today archaeology, discoveries and what one can see today

From the Colosseum to Hadrians Wall, Gem Ancient Rome shows us how Romes vast empire laid the foundations of todays civilisation. From aqueducts to baths, from gladiators to emperors, the fascinating history of and mythology of ancient Rome are brought to life in this entertaining and highly-readable guide.With their sophisticated army, monuments and roads, the Romans literally paved the way to modern Europe. Learn about the hand-to-hand combat at gladiatorial shows, rediscover the myths and legends of the Roman gods and find out how and why Rome became the conquering superpower that it did. History will come to life in this engaging and comprehensive introduction to one of the most fascinating and influential places the world has ever known. Includes: Geography map of the Roman Empire History a timeline with the accomplishments of the emperors Culture what the Romans did for us Religion Gods and Festivals Mythology Virgils Aeneid, Romulus and Remus Daily life in Ancient Greece different levels in society, the jobs, family life, leisure activities Politics transition from Republic to Dictatorship Learning and knowledge Law, Science, Architecture, Literature, Art War important wars, the Empire, the army and navy Rome Today temples, archaeology, and modern tourist sites

From theatre to politics, no other single civilisation has influenced the Western world more profoundly than that of ancient Greece. From the roots of democracy to philosophy and mathematics, its fascinating to learn how much western civilisation has stemmed from that of ancient Greece. This book offers an introduction to the lives of the ancient Greeks, their mythologies and traditions and their culture and learning. With colour illustrations supporting a clear, informative and engaging text, this guide is a perfect companion for both adults and children alike. Includes: Geography map of Greece History the different civilizations from the Minoans through to the Hellenistic period Religion gods, festivals, oracles and muses Mythology Homers Odyssey, the Minotaur, Icarus Daily life in Ancient Greece everyday life for all levels of society; the jobs, family life, leisure activities Politics democracy and the Athenian council Learning and knowledge philosophy, science,mathematics, medicine and literature War important wars; the army and navy Greece Today temples, archaeology and the monuments that can still be seen today

Perfect Pub Quiz is the ideal companion for all general knowledge nuts. Whether youre organising a quiz night in your local or you simply want to get in a bit of practice on tricky subjects, Perfect Pub Quiz has all the questions and answers. With topics ranging from the Roman Empire to Little Britain and from the Ryder Cup to Alex Rider, this easy-to-use quiz book will tax your brain and provide hours of fun.The Perfect series is a range of practical guides that give clear and straightforward advice on everything from getting your first job to choosing your babys name.Written by experienced authors offering tried-and-tested tips, each book contains all you need to get it right first time.

Of all the decisions a new parent makes, choosing that special name is the most significant and the most rewarding. A new reference book for prospective parents, this clear, helpful and easy-to-use A-Z guide gives you thousands of brilliant suggestions for picking the perfect name for your new arrival. It also includes appendices of the top ten names through the centuries and the most popular celebrity names.

Whats in a name? Rather more than you might at first suspect, for names are steeped in history and myth and have much to tell us about our past, our beliefs - even our personality traits. The Penguin Pocket Dictionary of Babies Names takes a close look at 3500 names, explaining origins and meanings, showing how some have changed in popularity and use over time and providing all the diminutive and variant forms. Part of Penguins major new series of reference titles ranging from Spanish and French dictionaries to books on spelling and quotations.