John Humphrys Libri

'The bombshell book everyone is talking about' DAILY MAIL 'A radio genius ... the maestro of the show' EVENING STANDARD

"John Humphrys has been a journalist for forty years - starting as a cub reporter on a tiny weekly newspaper and ending as one of the most respected broadcasters of his generation. He uses his experience to set in context the changes that have taken place in Britain over those years and to ask whether we, as a nation, are happy with the result. In many ways, he believes, we are not." "Devil's Advocate asks some very awkward questions. It also issues a challenge - if we aren't happy with the way things are in Britain today, what are we going to do about it?"--BOOK JACKET

Tackles the big question through the author's own personal journey and argues that doubt is the only credible belief.

In a moment of impulsive decision-making, John Humphrys purchased a semi-derelict cottage and a building site overlooking the Aegean, drawn in by the stunning bay. With his son Christopher, a musician fluent in Greek, living nearby, John envisioned building a beautiful villa. However, the next four years were filled with unexpected challenges. While some experiences were comical—like dealing with an escaped peacock in his lemon grove and a rat infestation in the cottage—others were more complex. John faced difficulties with locals, including an old man demanding payment for olive trees on his own land, an unfriendly neighbor who attempted to barricade him in, and a friendly neighbor who set fire to his fishing boat after a dispute. The builders added to his frustrations, and anyone who has dealt with construction work will empathize with his struggles. Throughout this journey, John gained a deeper understanding of Greece and developed a love-hate relationship with the country and its people. Christopher, too, learned more about his father, recalling the challenges of growing up with a man who often lacked patience. Together, they share a story that is both humorous and revealing about a country that captivates and frustrates in equal measure.

From the huge response to Lost for Words, it's clear that many of us share John's strong feelings about the use and misuse of the English language. Not because we want to split hairs (or infinitives) but because how we use words reveals so much about the way we see the world. Here John takes a sharp look at phrases and expressions in current use to expose the often hidden attitudes that lie behind them -- from the schoolroom to the boardroom, from Westminster to the weather forecast. Questioning our assumptions, puncturing our illusions and illuminating the way we live now, Brave New Words is a small book that speaks volumes.

From empty cliche to meaningless jargon, dangling participle to sentences without verbs, the English language is reeling. It is under attack from all sides. Politicians dupe us with deliberately evasive language. Bosses worry about impacting the bottom line while they think out of the box. Academics talk obscure mumbo jumbo. Journalists and broadcasters, who should know better, lazily collaborate. John Humphrys wittily and powerfully exposes the depths to which our beautiful language has sunk and offers many examples of the most common atrocities. He also dispenses some sensible guidance on how to use simple, clear and honest language. Above all, he shows us how to be on the alert for the widespread abuse - especially by politicians - and the power of the English language.

Now in its 48th edition, the Handbook is an authoritative annual compendium of Britain, providing an up-to-date account of all the latest policy developments in the UK.