Oxford University Press

Richard Dawkins' brilliant reformulation of the theory of natural selection has the rare distinction of having provoked as much excitement and interest outside the scientific community as within it. His theories have helped change the whole nature of the study of social biology, and have forced thousands of readers to rethink their beliefs about life. In his internationally bestselling, now classic volume, The Selfish Gene, Dawkins explains how the selfish gene can also be a subtle gene. The world of the selfish gene revolves around savage competition, ruthless exploitation, and deceit, and yet, Dawkins argues, acts of apparent altruism do exist in nature. Bees, for example, will commit suicide when they sting to protect the hive, and birds will risk their lives to warn the flock of an approaching hawk. This 30th anniversary edition of Dawkins' fascinating book retains all original material, including the two enlightening chapters added in the second edition. In a new Introduction the author presents his thoughts thirty years after the publication of his first and most famous book, while the inclusion of the two-page original Foreword by brilliant American scientist Robert Trivers shows the enthusiastic reaction of the scientific community at that time. This edition is a celebration of a remarkable exposition of evolutionary thought, a work that has been widely hailed for its stylistic brilliance and deep scientific insights, and that continues to stimulate whole new areas of research today.

Derived from the classic Oxford Dictionary of Music, this is the most authoritative dictionary of music available in paperback. It is a rich mine of information for lovers of music of all periods and styles. Fully revised and updated, the 5th edition of this established reference work contains over 200 new entries, including information on approximately 150 new performers. Written by Michael Kennedy, a renowned authority on classical music, the dictionary includes over 14,000 entries on terms from «allegro» to «zingaro» and on works from «Aida «to «Tosca» as well as instruments and their history, composers, librettists, musicians, singers, and orchestras. It also boasts comprehensive works lists for major composers. It remains the essential reference for music students and teachers, and fascinating reading for all other music enthusiasts.

Oxford Take Off in Russian makes learning or brushing up on your Russian quick, easy, and fun. Follow an integrated course including activities and dialogues with native speakers so you can feel confident in day-to-day conversation. Advance from beginner to intermediate level in one integrated book and audio course. This complete language-learning kit contains everything you need to speak, read, write, and understand Russian, and gives you flexibility when learning. The pack includes a clear, easy-to-use coursebook, full mp3 audio to download, and 4 CDs to support you in learning a new language. Flexible and structured course units allow you to work at your own pace and check your progress with regular self-testing exercises. New, market-tested packaging provides a portable and compact complete language-learning course.

This fantastic slipcase contains six of Winnie and Wilbur's crazy capers. Meet them in their black house, take a hazardous ride on Winnie's broomstick, join them on a hot and sunny winter's day, find out what happens when Winnie's wand stops working, discover how much chaos a computer can cause and spend a day with them at the seaside! This collection is a must-have purchase for Winnie fans everywhere and, for those who have yet to meet everyone's favourite witch, it is a set that is guaranteed to make readers the best of friends with Winnie and her big black cat, Wilbur! The stories are full of noisy antics: clattering footsteps, colliding broomsticks, clanking washing machines, whirring computers and splashing waves are just some of the wonderful additions to the narration of each story on the accompanying two CDs.

One of Dickens's most haunting and bizarre novels, The Old Curiosity Shop is the story of 'Little Nell' and her persecution by the grotesque and lecherous Quilp. This edition uses the Clarendon text, the definitive edition of the novels of Charles Dickens, and includes the original illustrations, five appendices of deleted passages, and details of Little Nell on stage. '...holding her solitary way among a crowd of wild, grotesque companions; the only pure, fresh, youthful object in the throng'. 'Little Nell' cares for her grandfather in the gloomy surroundings of his curiosity shop. Reduced to poverty the pair flee London, pursued by the grotesque and vindictive Quilp. In a bizarre and shifting kaleidoscope of events and characters the story reaches its tragic climax, an ending that famously devastated the novel's earliest readers. Dickens blends naturalistic and allegorical styles to encompass both the actual blight of Victorian industrialization and textual echoes of Bunyan, the Romantic poets, Shakespeare, pantomine and Jacobean tragedy. Contrasting youth and old age, beauty and deformity, innocence and cynicism, The Old Curiosity Shop is a compelling mixture of humour and brooding meance. This edition uses the Clarendon text, the definitive edition of the novels of Charles Dickens, and includes the original illustrations.

If you love a good story, then look no further. Oxford Children's Classics bring together the most unforgettable stories ever told. They're books to treasure and return to again and again. From his simple beginnings under the shady trees in the meadow, Black Beauty's life takes many twists and turns — from a riding horse on a country estate to a cab horse on the busy streets of London. Over time he has many owners, some of whom treat him cruelly, but throughout it all he keeps his sweet temper and fine spirit.

Discover a lepe of leopards, a company of parrots, and a stream of minnows in this glorious visual introduction to the animal kingdom sumptuously illustrated by internationally acclaimed picture-book artist, Brian Wildsmith. This beautiful book will delight young animal lovers. Through evocative paintings, children are brought face to face with wildlife from around the world. Brian Wildsmith has captured the essence of each animal — from the playfulness of otters to a noisy gathering of parrots. His panoramic pictures also give a real sense of the animals' habitats — from a sun-soaked plain where elephants roam to icy Antarctica where penguins huddle together. Collective nouns — some familiar, others wonderfully surprising — are used to describe each group of animals. This is a book that will inspire a love of nature and a respect for animals from the earliest age.

If you love a good story, then look no further. Oxford Children's Classics bring together the most unforgettable stories ever told. They're books to treasure and return to again and again. After the death of her parents, Mary Lennox is sent to her uncle's house on the Yorkshire Moors. But the house is an unhappy one. A tragedy happened there years before, and Mary's uncle has never recovered. Miserable and lonely, Mary starts to explore the house's gardens. There, led by a mischievous robin, she discovers a secret so important, so enchanting, that it will change her life completely...

If you love a good story, then look no further. Oxford Children's Classics bring together the most unforgettable stories ever told. They're books to treasure and return to again and again. When Mole takes a break from his cleaning and wanders down to the river bank, he meets the Water Rat and a friendship is instantly formed. The two, together with Badger, spend a glorious summer messing about on the river, picnicking on the bank, and taking life easy. But when their hapless friend Toad gets into a spot of bother they dash to his aid. Soon the four friends are fighting to save Toad Hall from the dastardly stoats and weasels.

If you love a good story, then look no further. Oxford Children's Classics bring together the most unforgettable stories ever told. They're books to treasure and return to again and again. When a cyclone hits Kansas, Dorothy and her little dog, Toto, are whisked away to the magical land of Oz. All alone in this strange world, they wonder how they'll ever get home. With their new friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, they brave many dangers and journey to the Emerald City in search of the Wonderful Wizard to ask him for his help.

A fresh new look for this best-selling dictionary which contains over 650 up-to-date words and concepts. Each entry is in alphabetical order and along with a clear and straightforward definition, has a fun and informative colour illustration or diagram to help explain the meaning. Cross references link to other useful words in this dictionary so it is easy to build up maths vocabulary quickly. The colourful, modern design and simple layout make it easy to find the word you need, and fully understand it. This is an essential and invaluable tool that demystifies maths and explains terminology and concepts in an accessible way for primary children.

This is a new edition of the Oxford School Spelling Dictionary, revised to include new words and fully updated in line with modern spelling and the curriculum. Its new layout makes this book simple and accessible with the alphabet on each page, a colour thumb tab, and guide words at the top of each page. Locating words has never been so quick and simple — here is the perfect book to make spelling easy and make you confident that you have got it right. The footnotes throughout help build spelling knowledge and lead you from an incorrect look-up to the right word easily. Panels give extra information on spelling rules to put the building blocks of learning in place. A great tool for supporting writers both at home and school. Carefully prepared for KS2 and the in line with the new Primary Strategy.

A fresh new look for this dictionary which contains an alphabetical wordfinder of over 1000 words and phrases and additional feature spreads on key topics, all fully supported with diagrams and illustrations. It sets the meanings of mathematical words and concepts in context, making it a key dictionary for all secondary level mathematics students.

This leading dictionary — now in its third edition — offers wide-ranging and authoritative coverage of the earth sciences and related topics in 6,250+ clear and accessible entries. Coverage includes geology, oceanography, paleontology, minerology, volcanology, and planetary science as well as climatology, geochemistry, and petrology. It is an essential reference for students of geography, geology, and earth sciences and in related disciplines. The third edition is fully updated and includes additional coverage of process geomorphology and physical geography, plus more than 50 new line drawings to accompany descriptions of forms and processes. A new feature is an appendix of recommended web links updated on the Dictionary of Earth Sciences companion website. Additional appendices include a revised geological time scale, an updated bibliography, stratigraphic units, lunar and Martian time scales, wind-strength scales, and SI units.

The fifth edition of this best-selling and trusted dictionary has been fully updated and revised to take account of recent developments in nursing practice and related fields. Updates cover general nursing, statistics, common scales and indexes, religion and spirituality, and commonly used abbreviations. Fully revised, this dictionary provides comprehensive coverage of the ever-expanding vocabulary of the nursing professions. In addition to specifically nursing terms, there are many entries in the fields of medicine, anatomy, physiology, psychiatry, nutrition, and pharmacology (including new drugs recently introduced into medical practice). Over 10,000 clear and concise entries, all written by medical and nursing specialists, cover the theory and practice of nursing. 100 helpful illustrations and 15 appendices covering nutritional requirements, reference values for biochemical and haematological data, interpretation of body mass index, and much more, make this an invaluable reference tool for all nursing students and professionals.

This authoritative edition was originally published in the acclaimed Oxford Authors series under the general editorship of Frank Kermode. It brings together a unique combination of Keats's poetry and prose — all the major poems, complemented by a generous selection of Keats's letters — to give the essence of his work and thinking. In his tragically short life Keats wrote an astonishing number of superb poems; his stature as one of the foremost poets of the Romantic movement remains unassailable. This volume contains all the poetry published during his lifetime, including Endymion in its entirety, the Odes, 'Lamia', and both versions of 'Hyperion'. The poetry is presented in chronological sequence, illustrating the staggering speed with which Keats's work matured. Further insight into his creative process is given by reproducing, in their original form, a number of poems that were published posthumously. Keats's letters are admired almost as much as his poetry and were described by T. S. Eliot as 'certainly the most notable and most important ever written by any English poet'. They provide the best biographical detail available and shed invaluable light on Keats's poems.

Drawing on the unique resources of the Oxford English Dictionary and offering coverage of over 6,000 slang words and expressions from the Cockney 'abaht' to the American term 'zowie', this is the most authoritative dictionary of slang from the 20th and 21st centuries. Stone the Crows: Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang is a fascinating and entertaining collection, packed with illustrative quotations and providing full details of origins and dates of first printed use. The text contains expressions from around the English-speaking world such as 'dork' and 'cockamamie' (North America) and 'giggle-house' and 'Jimmy Woodser' (Australia). As well as the A-Z listing of terms, the book contains a comprehensive thematic index, enabling users to home in on particular areas of interest, such as the body, food and drink, and human behaviour. Full of surprises, Stone the Crows is an essential read for word lovers and anyone with an interest in language.

Harvey Cheyne is the over-indulged son of a millionaire. When he falls overboard from an ocean liner he is rescued by a Portuguese fisherman and, initially against his will, joins the crew of the We're Here for a summer. Through the medium of an exciting adventure story, Captains Courageous (1897) deals with a boy who like Mowgli in The Jungle Book, is thrown into an entirely alien environment. The superstitious, magical world of the sea and the tough, orderly, physical world of the boat form a backdrop to Harvey's regeneration. Kipling describes the fascination skills of the schooner fishermen who would soon be made redundant by the twentieth century, and makes the ship function as a convincing model for a society engaged in a difficult and dangerous task. The introduction to this edition examines its place among other maritime novels and among Kipling's own work, and explanatory notes clarify the seafaring terms and historical and geographical references.

Translated for the first time into English, the Old French prose poem is a classic of European literature and has influenced such diverse figures as Dante, T.H. White, and the makers of the 1967 film Camelot.

This collection brings together seventeen of Kipling's early stories, written between 1885 and 1888, when Kipling was working as a journalist in India. Wry comedies of British officialdom alternate with glimpses into the harsh lives of the common soldiers and the Indian poor, revealing Kipling's legendary powers of observation and, in 'Baa Baa, Black Sheep' his own miserable childhood. From Mrs Hauksbee's Simla drawing-room to Mulvaney's cot in barracks, to the wild hills of Kafiristan, Kipling re-creates the India he knew in stories by turns ironic and sentimental, compassionate and bitter, displaying the brilliance that has captivated readers for over a century.

Law underlies our society — it protects our rights, imposes duties on each of us, and establishes a framework for the conduct of almost every social, political, and economic activity. The punishment of crime, compensation of the injured, and the enforcement of contracts are merely some of the tasks of a modern legal system. It also strives to achieve justice, promote freedom, and protect our security. The result is a system that, while it touches all of our daily lives, is properly understood by only a few, with its impenetrable jargon, obsolete procedures, and interminable stream of Byzantine statutes and judgments of the courts. This clear, jargon-free Very Short Introduction aims to redress that balance, as it introduces the essentials of law and legal systems in a lively, accessible, and stimulating manner. Explaining the main concepts, terms, and processes of the legal system, it focuses on the Western tradition (the common law and the civil law), but also includes discussions of other legal systems, such as customary law and Islamic law. And it looks to the future too, as globalization and rapid advances in technology place increasing strain on our current legal system.

An expanding series of short, specialist English courses for different professions, work skills, and industries.

Neverland is calling again. Something is wrong in Neverland. Dreams are leaking out-strangely real dreams, of pirates and mermaids, of warpaint and crocodiles. For Wendy and the Lost Boys it is a clear signal-Peter Pan needs their help, and so it is time to do the unthinkable and fly to Neverland again. But back in Neverland, everything has changed-and the dangers they find there are far beyond their dreams... Specially commissioned by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children as the winner of their competition to write the official sequel to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, Peter Pan in Scarlet is a thrilling adventure that you will never forget. Proceeds from every copy sold will go to benefit Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. This new version brings the adventure to new life with full colour illustrations throughout by David Wyatt, and a new version of the text by Geraldine McCaughrean, to make the story accessible to younger readers. A beautiful book to share and to treasure.

Into the narrow social world of New York in the 1870s comes Countess Ellen Olenska, surrounded by shocked whispers about her failed marriage to a rich Polish Count. A woman who leaves her husband can never be accepted in polite society. Newland Archer is engaged to young May Welland, but the beautiful and mysterious Countess needs his help. He becomes her friend and defender, but friendship with an unhappy, lonely woman is a dangerous path for a young man to follow — especially a young man who is soon to be married.