The Bodleian Library Bücher

This charming and quirky children's grammar book first appeared in 1824 as one of several beautifully hand-coloured instructional texts published by John Harris in his "Cabinet of Amusement and Instruction." There are a series of larger-than-life characters in the book, including Mr. Stops, Counsellor Comma, and the hero, Young Robert, humorously bring its lessons to life with witty and amusing verse such as: 'See, how Semicolon is strutting with pride; Into two or more parts he'll a sentence divide." There are lively and colourful engravings that infuse the book with an entertaining spirit, while also reinforcing the lessons laid out in its cheerful rhymes.It is evident to see how a child would have enjoyed learning about grammar through 'Punctuation Personified', as its simple but instructive verse and vibrant illustrations skilfully open up a fresh world of knowledge. This new edition, featuring a modern introduction, will delight and amuse readers of all ages.

As World War II ended, British servicemen were dispatched to France to aid in the liberation and recovery of the war-torn nation, accompanied by a crucial guidebook. This pamphlet, a sequel to the successful Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942, provides a unique perspective on soldiers' experiences during the war. It emphasizes the shared culture and history between Britain and France, highlighting their common goal of defeating Hitler. The guide instructs British soldiers on navigating French customs and cautions against misconceptions, such as assuming that a friendly French woman has romantic intentions, which could jeopardize relations. It includes a pronunciation guide, useful phrases, and a stark depiction of the diseases and poverty afflicting the French populace. This pamphlet captures the nuanced dynamics of Anglo-French relations during the conflict with both intimacy and humor, revealing intriguing aspects of life beyond the battlefield. Essential for historians and enthusiasts alike, this small document offers profound insights into its time.

In June 1940, Hitler ordered his generals to organize the invasion of Britain under a plan codenamed Operation Sealion, drawing up a complex set of documents, consisting of maps, aerial photographs, a physical description of the British Isles. This book reproduces a selection of these documents in a handy-sized format.

'Bilbo comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves' is an illustration made for The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1937. In it you can see Bilbo sitting on top of a barrel as it floats down the forest river. He and the Dwarves (who are hidden inside the barrels) have just escaped from the Elvenking. This was Tolkien's favourite watercolour for the book and he was disappointed to find that it had been omitted from the first American edition.Designed to be easily portable or to fit in a small bag, with ruled pages and handy ribbon marker, this stunning journal uniquely features Tolkien's exquisite illustration on both front and back covers. A must for all Tolkien enthusiasts.

In 1942 the United States War Department distributed a handbook to American Servicemen advising them on the peculiarities of the `British, their country, and their ways'. By turns hilarious and poignant, many observations remain quaintly relevant today. Reproduced in a style reminiscent of the era, this is a wonderfully evocative war-time memento.

Ein einzigartiges Zeitzeugnis und doch brandaktuell! Als amerikanische Soldaten 2003 in den Irakkrieg ziehen, wird Ihnen ein Feldhandbuch ausgehändigt, in dem sie die arabischen Begriffe für »Hände hoch!« und »Waffe fallen lassen!« lernen. Einem Oberstleutnant reicht diese Einführung nicht, er erinnert sich an einen alten Leitfaden und kopiert daraus einige Seiten für seine Soldaten. Dieses »Benimmbuch« wurde 1943 amerikanischen Soldaten mit auf den Weg gegeben, die in den Irak zogen, um das vorhandene Öl vor den Truppen Hitlers zu beschützen. Sie sollten sich nicht in der Nähe einer Moschee aufhalten, die Religion der Einheimischen stets respektieren. Sie sollten sich anpassen, Arabisch sprechen, auch wenn es noch so schlecht sei. Es wird erklärt, dass die Iraker während des Fastenmonats Ramadan oft gereizt reagieren, da sie vor Sonnenuntergang nicht essen oder trinken dürften. Fast melancholisch liest man die Zeilen dieses Leitfadens, blickt man auf die Haltung der Amerikaner in den Kriegen und Krisen der letzten Jahrzehnte zurück. Heute, mitten in der Irakkrise, liest sich dieses Zeitzeugnis von 1943 wie eine Mahnung aus der Vergangenheit: »Der beste Weg, mit Menschen zurechtzukommen, war und ist immer noch, sie verstehen zu lernen!«. Mit einem Nachwort von Roger Willemsen