-------- MANTEX NEWSLETTER --------
Number 120 - September 2006 - ISSN 1470-1863
Back to School! - Dictionaries - Bloomsbury - Quiz
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0--- 'Compact Oxford English Dictionary for Students'
Despite record-breaking results in GCSEs and A levels,
many employers, colleges, and universities complain
that they have applications from people who cannot
spell or write good English.
OUP have come up with a brand-new dictionary to
help students not only grasp the meanings and
spellings of words, but to understand their origins.
The really big bonus in this dictionary however is
an additional central section which explains how to
brush up your English, how to produce essays and
dissertations, and how to improve your writing in
general for reports and job applications.
Full details and review at -
http://www.mantex.co.uk/reviews/oxf-coeds.htm
0--- Pub quiz - Question #1
What is the modern name for Byzantium?
0--- 'Writing Essays: Guidance notes for students'
This is a best-seller - now in its sixth edition.
It covers all aspects of essay writing, from
analysing questions to the presentation of a
finished assignment.
Clear guidance notes may be used as a study
programme, or a source of reference. It also
includes five sample essays - on current affairs,
history, philosophy, sociology, and literary studies.
Easy-access notes and clear presentation - suitable
for students at all levels. This book offers rapid
answers to the common problems of writing essays,
term papers, and reports. See sample pages at -
http://www.mantex.co.uk/books/essays.htm
0--- Pub quiz - Question #2
Who wrote 'Alexander's Ragtime Band'?
0--- 'Vanessa Bell: A Biography'
Vanessa Bell is best known as the sister of
Virginia Woolf, but she was a distinguished
artist in her own right, and her reputation
has risen recently, along with other women
artists such as Dora Carrington and Gwen John.
Frances Spalding has written the definitive
biography of this fascinating woman who was
a member of the influential Omega Group, and
had its founder Roger Fry as her lover. She
replaced him with gay artist Duncan Grant,
who she lived with for the rest of her life -
but all the while still married to her original
husband Clive Bell. Just an everyday story of
Bloomsbury folk. Full review at -
http://www.mantex.co.uk/reviews/spalding.htm
0--- Pub quiz - Question #3
Whose real name was Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov?
0--- "Writers' & Artists' Yearbook" - new edition
This time of year sees the latest and much-expanded
edition of this best-selling reference book.
It's an encyclopedia of everything that writers,
journalists, and media workers need for contacts
with publishers, agents, and anyone else in the
communication industries.
If you want to publish your writing, find an agent,
mug up on copyright, or see the best-seller lists for
last year - it's all here. And Amazon are currently
offering at 30% off - a bargain.
http://www.mantex.co.uk/reviews/black.htm
There's a rival publication called "The Writer's
Handbook" which appears at the same time. The main
difference is that the Handbook puts more emphasis
on journalism and the broadcast media. See the
differences at -
http://www.mantex.co.uk/reviews/turner.htm
And such is the popularity of writing for youngsters
and teenagers these days, that there's now a new
'Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook'
http://www.mantex.co.uk/reviews/black-2.htm
0--- Pub quiz - Question #4
In the song, how many presents were handed
over on the twelfth day of Christmas?
0--- 'Architecture Now! V.4' - new book
The previous (version3) edition of this book won
the prestigious Saint-Etienne prize for the best
architecture and design book in 2004.
This latest version is even bigger and better.
It's a beautifully photographed portfolio of the
very latest in architecture and design, featuring
everything from prestige projects to quite humble
buildings such as an elaborate tree house.
There's an exhibition centre built out of old
shipping containers, a water purification plant,
hotels built in the desert in the form of tents,
and one spectacular private commission which
includes a house built on cliff top with a
suspended swimming pool which looks as if it
is floating in mid-air.
Terrific value for money too. Well done Taschen!
Full details and review at -
http://www.mantex.co.uk/reviews/jodidio.htm
0--- Pub quiz - Question #5
In which year was the Domesday Book compiled?
0--- 'Revision and Examinations'
This book shows you how to prepare for exams,
and how to pass them successfully. It helps
you to improve your self-confidence and
overcome any nerves and anxiety, and it
shows you how to guarantee your best
performance in the examination.
Revision and Examinations includes specimen
exam papers, and hints from tutors on improving
your grades. Clear advice, sample papers, and
tips from tutors are all included.
These guidance notes are suitable for students
at all levels in further and higher education.
They answer all the most frequently asked
questions on successful revision and
examination techniques. See samples pages at -
http://www.mantex.co.uk/books/exams.htm
0--- Pub quiz - Question #6
How many eyes can be seen on a deck of cards?
0--- 'Bloomsbury: A House of Lions'
Leon Edel is the author of a monumental
biography of Henry James. Whilst writing it
he took a break from his labours to produce
this study of the Bloomsbury Group.
It has an interesting structure, because
he passes from one character to another as
if they are all meeting each other in a novel.
Lytton Strachey, Virginia Woolf, Vanessa Bell,
Leonard Woolf, John Maynard Keynes - all the
usual suspects are treated to a very penetrating
psycho-analytic study.
He makes quite a surprising but ultimately
convincing case for a deep-seated sibling
rivalry between Vanessa Bell and her sister
Virginia Woolf.
It's not strong on anecdote and gossip, but
he has a masterly overview of his subject.
Full review and details at -
http://www.mantex.co.uk/reviews/edel.htm
0--- Pub quiz - Question #7
In which country was the dancer
Dame Ninette de Valois born?
0--- 'Improve your Writing Skills'
This book shows you how to develop the
quality and effectiveness of your writing.
The emphasis is on careful planning and
editing - not on learning grammatical rules.
It will help you to give clarity and shape
to your writing. Packed with good examples
and handy hints, Improve your Writing Skills
features clear advice written in non-technical
language, and quick solutions to common problems.
Suitable for anybody writing reports, business
proposals, memos, or academic documents.
See sample pages at -
http://www.mantex.co.uk/books/improve.htm
0--- Pub quiz - Question #8
In Greek mythology, what did Prometheus steal from Olympus?
0--- 'Study Skills: Guidance Notes for Students'
This book provides advice on reading and
writing skills, time management, and work
planning. It also includes organising and
writing essays, research skills, and an
introduction to the use of computer technology.
All details of academic conventions are covered.
The guidance notes in Study Skills may be used
as a study programme or as a handy source of
reference. Suitable for students at all levels
of study. Study Skills will help you grasp the
essentials of commonly-used techniques
in academic study. See sample pages at -
http://www.mantex.co.uk/books/skills.htm
0--- Pub quiz - Question #9
What metal is made from bauxite?
0----- 'The Fight for English' - new book
This is the latest salvo from prolific
language expert David Crystal. It's fired
in the direction of Lynne Truss, whose
best-selling 'Eats, Shoots, and Leaves'
takes a very traditional line on grammar
and punctuation.
Crystal argues that language and the way
we use it is changing all the time, and
there is nothing you can do to stop it.
He backs this up with a very readable tour
through the English language and the way it
has developed over the last thousand years.
http://www.mantex.co.uk/reviews/crystal-3.htm
If you want to check out what Lynne Truss
had to say on punctuation in the first place,
see her 'zero tolerance' approach here -
http://www.mantex.co.uk/reviews/truss.htm
0--- Pub quiz - Question #10
What is the world's most densely populated country?
0--- F.r.e.e Anti-Virus Software
My AV software program suddenly announced it
was due to expire a few days ago. Always on the
lookout for an Open Source alternative, I emailed
my trusty IT support guru (and noble scion).
Sure enough, he came up straight away with this
offering from Grisoft. It automatically updates
itself, and has an anti-spyware program at the
same location.
http://free.grisoft.com/
0--- Coming in the next issue!
By popular demand - the return of 'Weird Facts'.
0--- Pub quiz - ANSWERS
#1 What is the modern name for Byzantium?
ANSWER: Istanbul
#2 Who wrote 'Alexander's Ragtime Band'?
ANSWER: Irving Berlin
#3 Whose real name was Vladimir Illyich Ulyanov?
ANSWER: Lenin
#4 In the song, how many presents were handed
over on the twelfth day of Christmas?
ANSWER: 78
#5. In which year was the Domesday Book compiled?
ANSWER: 1086
#6 How many eyes can be seen on a deck of cards?
ANSWER: 42
#7 In which country was the dancer
Dame Ninette de Valois born?
ANSWER: Ireland
#8 In Greek mythology, what did Prometheus steal from Olympus?
ANSWER: Fire
#9 What metal is made from bauxite?
ANSWER: Aluminium
#10 What is the world's most densely populated country?
ANSWER: Monaco
0--- COMING SOON
'Green Architecture'
'Dictionary of Quotations'
'Leonard Woolf's Memoirs'
'Oxford Beginners' Spanish'
'Web Design: Flash Sites'
'Web Services Essentials'
'eBay - The Missing Manual'
'Penguin Dictionary of Jokes'
'Yahoo! Hacks'
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News-120-September-2006
ISSN 1470-1863
The British Library