{"title":"Books by Rebecca Gowers","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9780141978970","title":"Horrible Words","description":"Nothing inflames the language gripers like a misplaced \u003ci\u003edisinterested\u003c\/i\u003e, an illogical \u003ci\u003eirregardless\u003c\/i\u003e, a hideous \u003ci\u003eoperationalisation\u003c\/i\u003e. To purists these are 'howlers' and 'non-words', fit only for scorn. But in their rush to condemn such terms, are the naysayers missing something? \u003cp\u003eIn this provocative and hugely entertaining book, Rebecca Gowers throws light on a great array of horrible words, and shows how the diktats of the pedants are repeatedly based on misinformation, false reasoning and straight-up snobbery. The result is a brilliant work of history, a surreptitious introduction to linguistics, and a mischievous salute to the misusers of the language. It is also a bold manifesto asserting our common rights over English, even as it questions the true nature of style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56224617759093,"sku":"9780141978970","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780141978970_f388baa8-ca0f-4683-9188-3ca1ecd56255.jpg?v=1786011751"},{"product_id":"9780241960349","title":"Plain Words","description":"\u003cb\u003e'Be short, be simple, be human.'\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen Sir Ernest Gowers first wrote \u003ci\u003ePlain Words\u003c\/i\u003e, it was intended simply as a guide to the proper use of English for the Civil Service. Within a year, however, its humour, charm and authority had made it a bestseller. Since then it has never been out of print.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSix decades on, writer Rebecca Gowers has created a new edition of this now-classic work that both revises and celebrates her great-grandfather's original. \u003ci\u003ePlain Words\u003c\/i\u003e has been updated to reflect numerous changes in English usage, yet Sir Ernest's distinctive, witty voice is undimmed. And his message remains vital: our writing should be as clear and comprehensible as possible, avoiding superfluous words and clichés - from the jargon of 'commercialese' to the murky euphemisms of politicians.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn a new preface, this edition draws on an extensive private archive, previously hidden away in family cupboards and attics, to tell the story behind a book that has become an institution: the essential guide to making yourself understood.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56231034814837,"sku":"9780241960349","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780241960349_71ed52a0-f587-4cb8-ad7a-6be688e96f36.jpg?v=1786012522"},{"product_id":"9781474606424","title":"The Scoundrel Harry Larkyns and his Pitiless Killing by the Photographer Eadweard Muybridge","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA NON-FICTION CROWN\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiamond thief, guerrilla fighter, spy, decorated hero, bohemian rogue and lover of several notorious women - all describe Major Harry Larkyns. Yet he has long been dismissed as merely a liar and a cheat, famous only for being shot dead in 1874 by the unnerving photographer Eadweard Muybridge. But has history properly understood either the killer or his victim? Part biography, part crime investigation, THE SCOUNDREL HARRY LARKYNS uncovers some extraordinary truths, and is historical detective work at its finest.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'One of the best books of the year' Irish Times\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Strange, brilliant, quirky and illuminating' Country Life\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'A story that is as eventful as it is tragic' Guardian\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'A masterpiece of historical detective work' Keith Lowe\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":57688213422453,"sku":"9781474606431","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":56301410189685,"sku":"9781474606424","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781474606431.jpg?v=1792686143"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-rebecca-gowers.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}