Despite this focus, it became an immediate bestseller when offered as a book for general sale. Sir ernest gowers 18801966 was a leading civil servant who ran the civil defense of london during world war ii and is best remembered for plain words, and for being the first editor of h. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A guide to the use of english by ernest gowers ebook. Click download or read online button to get the complete plain words book now.
The complete plain words sir ernest gowers, sidney. This classic guide to the intricacies of the english language provides clear, succinct explanations of such topics as jargon, spelling, punctuation, superfluous words, the overuse or misuse of words, sexist language and the ground rules of grammar. Containing plain words and the abc of plain words, rearranged and revised. Plain words and forgotten deeds understanding governance read online. The complete plain words, a combination of gowers s. Rebecca gowers is the author of the swamp of death, shortlisted for the cwa nonfiction golden dagger award, and of two novels, when to walk and the twisted heart, both longlisted for the orange prize. The complete plain words download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl.
To celebrate its 60th birthday, the authors greatgranddaughter, rebecca gowers, has revised and updated the book for a new generation. Both these, as i explained in the prefaces to them, were written at the invitation of the treasury as a. The complete plain words sir ernest gowers, sidney greenbaum. While browsing in one of the many second hand bookshops in scotland, i came across a familiar name.
Mar 27, 2014 the complete plain words followed in 1954 and has never been out of print. It comprises expanded and revised versions of two pamphlets that he wrote at the request of hm treasury, plain words 1948 and abc of plain words 1951. What just about reading complete plain words 3rd edition ernest a gowers. To celebrate its 60th birthday, the authors greatgranddaughter, rebecca gowers, has revised and updated the book for a. He ran the civil defence of london during the second world war, chaired the royal commission into capital punishment, wrote the bestseller, plain words, and became the first editor of h. The complete plain words by gowers, ernest, 18801966.
Full text of complete plain words internet archive. The complete plain words article pdf available in the journal of the royal college of general practitioners 236 november 1973 with 16,128 reads how we measure reads. Sir ernest arthur gowers gcb gbe 2 june 1880 16 april 1966 is best remembered for his book plain words, first published in 1948, and for his revision of fowlers modern english usage. Buy the complete plain words 1st edition 1st printing by sir ernest gowers isbn. Mar 26, 2015 sir ernest gowers was born in 1880, and became a leading civil servant. The aim of the book is to help officials in their use of english as a tool of their trade. Buy complete plain words 3rd edition book online at low. The revolution that lurked in its mild pages was not just a lexical but a social one. New edition of the complete plain words will delight fans of.
Download plain words in pdf and epub formats for free. A complete guide to the use of english by sir ernest gowers, incorporating plain words and abc of plain words, first published in september 1954. Gowers plain words is a fascinating book, full of good although sometimes dated advice, and a great pleasure to dip into both for its sensible, and never pedantic, advice, and for the glimpses it gives of another time and another language. Mar 27, 2014 sir ernest gowers was born in 1880, and became a leading civil servant. The preface to the complete plain words by sir ernest gowers page 1 of 1 preface this book is in the main a reconstruction of my two previous books, plain words and abc of plain words. Gowers was highly influential in public policy throughout his long civil service career, which began in 1903 and culminated in running londons civil defence throughout the second world war.
The complete plain words by ernest gowers waterstones. The complete plain words by gowers and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A guide and reference book to the the complete plain words 1954. The complete plain words is one of some halfdozen books on my shelves which i dip into in the vain hope of improving my prose style.
Gowers was highly influential in public policy throughout his long civil service career, which began in 1903 and culminated in running. He ran the civil defence of london during the second world war, chaired the royal commission into capital punishment whose 1953 report contributed significantly to ending the death penalty in britain, wrote the bestseller, plain words, and later became the first editor of h. Fowlers classic dictionary of modern english usage. Buy the complete plain words 3rd rev ed by sir ernest gowers, sidney greenbaum, janet whitcut isbn. The proper use of english is a never ending topic, and the correspondence which arose out of each book induced sir ernest gowers to keep on extending his previous plan. The proper use of english is a never ending topic, and the correspondence which arose out of each book induced sir ernest gowers to keep.
Within a year, however, its humour, charm and authority had made. Top american libraries canadian libraries universal library community texts project gutenberg biodiversity heritage library childrens library. Pdf ebooks can be used on all reading devices immediate ebook download after purchase draws on previously inaccessible family archives to penetrate the anonymity and public reticence of one of britains great twentieth century. Rebecca gowers is the author of the swamp of death. The book is, it seems to me, an important document of its era.
Plain words isbn 9780241960349 pdf epub ernest gowers. Whether you are working on paper or on a computer, this invaluable reference work will lead you through the intricacies, problems and pleasures of the english language with wit, common sense and authority. Plain words ebook written by rebecca gowers, ernest gowers. Within a year, however, its humour, charm and authority had made it a bestseller. Draws on previously inaccessible family archives to penetrate the anonymity and public reticence of one of britains great twentieth century civil servants. New edition of the complete plain words will delight fans. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Buy complete plain words 3rd edition book online at best prices in india on. Before making his name as an author he had a long career in the british civil service, which he entered in 1903. Rebecca gowers is the author of the swamp of death, shortlisted for the cwa nonfiction golden dagger award, and of two novels. But the later revisions look increasingly unsympathetic, so in 2014 rebecca gowers, the authors greatgranddaughter, agreed to update the book working directly from the 1954 edition.
Read pdf complete plain words 3rd edition ernest a gowers complete plain words 3rd edition ernest a gowers. The complete plain words download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. This book was written at first to help officials in the use of written english. Plain words and forgotten deeds understanding governance free books. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read plain words. Plain words book also available for read online, mobi, docx and mobile and kindle reading.
She is also the most recent editor of plain words, the classic guide to the use of english by her greatgrandfather sir ernest gowers. The complete plain words by gowers, ernest and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Plain words available for download and read online in other formats. Plain words by rebecca gowers, ernest gowers books on. Plain words has been updated to reflect numerous changes in english usage, yet sir ernests distinctive, witty voice is undimmed. The complete plain words, revised by others in 1973 and 1986, has never yet gone out of print. Six decades on, writer rebecca gowers has created a new edition of this now. Gowers was a civil servant and it is to fellow civil servants that his book is primarily addressed. Sir ernest gowers was born in 1880, and became a leading civil servant. For those who must write to get their work done businessmen. Fowlers modern english usage, also published other reference works such as the gem which i can now proudly call mine. The complete plain words, titled simply plain words in its 2014 revision, is a style guide written by sir ernest gowers, published in 1954. It had been commissioned by the treasury, and was designed to encourage clarity and kindness in the writing of overformal, patronizing civil servants. Isbn 9780230244306 digitally watermarked, drmfree included format.
A guide and reference book to the use of english for official and other purposes sir ernest gowers. The complete plain words is the essential guide for anyone who needs to express themselves clearly, fluently and accurately in writing. When sir ernest gowers first wrote plain words, it was intended simply as a guide to the proper use of english for the civil service. Six decades on, writer rebecca gowers has created a new edition of this nowclassic work that both revises and celebrates her greatgrandfathers original. This book was written at the invitation of the treasury, with a view to help officials in their use of written english, first published in 1948, it has since run into more than a dozen reprints. Ernest gowers wrote the first, pamphlet version of plain words in 1948.
About the authors sir ernest gowers was born in 1880, and became a leading civil servant. Plain words by rebecca gowers, ernest gowers waterstones. The complete plain words by ernest gowers, paperback. Plain words, a guide to the use of english by rebecca. Share what you know and love through presentations, infographics, documents and more. Mar 02, 2004 the complete plain words is an excellent resource for people who write as part of their occupation. Before making his name as an author he had a long career in the british civil service, which he entered in. Although written in 1948 for british civil servants, i believe it is still useful for just about anybody in government or business who must write the occasional report, memo, or email. The complete plain words by sir ernest gowers 1956 details. The complete plain words followed in 1954 and has never been out of print.
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