Martin Manser

The solving of crossword puzzles is a kind of aerobics for the little grey cells. It puts one's mental suppleness to the test, it taxes the staying power of one's vocabulary, it usually produces no immediate reward, but completing the exercise gives a satisfying feeling of achievement. A fascination with words – their multiplicity, variety, oddity, their slippery ambiguity and their often chameleon-like ability to change – lurks within many people...

Word Come Alive: • is an expanded translation of the New Testament of the Bible by respected editor Martin Manser • supplies linking phrases and background information in italics within the text to help make its message more immediately understandable • aims to express the sense of the original in contemporary, natural English • aims to have a powerful effect on readers, with a fresh, incisive quality that will make readers sit up...

A collection of favourite Christmas carols, poetry and readings - a perfect Christmas gift. This is an ideal Christmas gift, and is packed full of all of your favourite Christmas poems, carols and readings - both traditional and modern.150 much-loved poems, carols and readings have been handpicked, and arranged alphabetically so that they can be easily found. Each item is introduced with a brief history to the piece and its author, helpfully placing...

Verbs and tenses are one of the most difficult parts of the English language for learners. There seem to be so many different tenses and structures that are not simple. I have compiled this book to help make verbs easier to understand. The book is in five parts: Chapter 1 The basics Here we look at the main terms used to describe different kinds of verb, eg transitive and intransitive. Chapter 2 Tenses In this section, we explain the wide range of...

From one of the UK's leading reference publishers, comes an approachable and authoritative guide to Saints, old and new. The Collins Dictionary of Saints includes Saints from all around the world and across the millennia, giving a fascinating - and sometimes intriguing - insight into the lives and achievements of the men and women of God. From such little-known local Saints as Cadoc, the Welsh abbot who lived the life of a hermit on the island of...

A timeless collection of prayers, quotes, poems and speeches for every occasion. Complete with a brief introduction to each piece and its author, this book features words and prayers from 300BC to the present day. It provides a great source of inspiration when planning a speech or ceremonial occasion or can be used for personal devotions. This carefully chosen selection of the best-loved prayers and words of wisdom is a staple for any bookshelf....

Word Come Alive • is an expanded translation (paraphrase) of the New Testament of the Bible by respected editor Martin Manser • supplies linking phrases and background information in italics within the text to help make its message more immediately understandable • aims to express the sense of the original in contemporary, natural English • aims to have a powerful effect on readers, with a fresh, incisive quality that will make readers sit...

Are you so familiar with the Bible text of your preferred version that it no longer speaks to you powerfully? Do you want to explore the message of the New Testament? Then this fresh, expanded translation of the New Testament ("Word Come Alive") is for you. Respected Bible editor Martin Manser has included helpful phrases and background in italics within the text. The result is an insightful translation that expresses the original in contemporary,...

Jane Austen ranks high among the most loved of all English writers. In contrast to many other celebrated authors her reputation rests upon a relatively small output, of around half a dozen major novels and a few other fragments, but her lasting influence upon the subsequent development of the English novel is undisputable nonetheless. Austen's own life was one of upper middle-class rural gentility and this is the orderly, prosperous and close-knit...

Students of English often have difficulties knowing which preposition goes with a particular verb. Do you know which preposition to use with the following verbs: accuse of or for? depend on or at? escape from or off? include in or into? listen to or through? wait for or to? This is where this dictionary will help you. By looking up the verb you will find the preposition, a definition and an example: smile verb smile at turn up the ends of your mouth...