Feisty, streetwise Benny Logan has risen in the union ranks as a product of his gutsy persona and willingness to break from corrupt, old-guard leaders who have sold out the city’s tugboat workers for decades. Seeking allies in his crusade to reform the labor union, Benny recruits his younger brother Jack, newly returned from the war, as a deckhand on the flagship of tugboat magnate Henry McFarland, the leader of a tugboat owners’ coalition. Supported by mob and business associates alike, the powerful and unscrupulous McFarland will stop at nothing to crush the union and protect the interests of the city’s corporate elite.

As these powerful forces collide, Jack works to find a new way forward for labor-management relations, even as he and his wife, a pregnant British war bride, attempt to recover from the emotional trauma of the war.

Feisty, streetwise Benny Logan has risen in the union ranks as a product of his gutsy persona and willingness to break from corrupt, old-guard leaders who have sold out the city’s tugboat workers for decades. Seeking allies in his crusade to reform the labor union, Benny recruits his younger brother Jack, newly returned from the war, as a deckhand on the flagship of tugboat magnate Henry McFarland, the leader of a tugboat owners’ coalition. Supported by mob and business associates alike, the powerful and unscrupulous McFarland will stop at nothing to crush the union and protect the interests of the city’s corporate elite.

As these powerful forces collide, Jack works to find a new way forward for labor-management relations, even as he and his wife, a pregnant British war bride, attempt to recover from the emotional trauma of the war.

Think, for example, about a lady from Maine who’s proud of the mane of hair that is the main attribute of her beauty. Or imagine a realtor who might cite the sight-lines of a property’s site as a selling point. And think how often those words are misused in newspapers, magazines, and elsewhere.

Why such confusion? Because English begs, borrows, and steals words from every language on earth, leading to utter confusion on the part of anyone trying to master it. “Bistro,” meaning a café, derives from the Russian word meaning “quickly,” and “café” is the French word for “coffee” (which derives from the Turkish “qawha,” apparently named for the “kaffa” area of Ethiopia where the plant originates). “Sheik” is Arabic; “qi” is Chinese, “data” Latin, and “tarantula” Spanish, and “language” came to us via French from the Latin “lingua,” meaning “tongue.” Americans adopt those words and adapt them to our pronunciation models, often making their meaning unclear.

To write correctly, it’s important to know which word is the one you need — because while spell-checking software can recognize whether or not you’ve spelled a word correctly, it can’t figure out which one you meant. Reed’s Homophones just might help you catch errors before it’s too late — say, when you have egg on your face.

Writers and editors praise Reed’s Homophones

Move over, Webster, Oxford, Partridge and Roget, and make room on the bookshelf for Reed. I prophesy that Reed’s Homophones will be as well-thumbed as any of them. If only this book had been around when I was riding herd [heard] on newspaper reporters; just think of how many blue [blew] pencils I could have saved, how much aggravation we would have been spared. So thank you, A.D. Reed … better late than never!

~ Glennys Christie, retired magazine & newspaper editor and publisher

I’ve done editing since the 1960s, and this book is an essential tool for combating Spell Check. For anyone who believes that “Spill Czech cant bee beet four-hour porpoises,” Reed’s Homophones is an absolute blessing.

~ Marshall Lancaster, ad agency copy editor

Reed’s Homophones is the handiest quick reference on this subject. Writers, editors, students, teachers, business and government folks—I can’t imagine anyone anywhere in the world who would not welcome this chance to make the world of words a friendlier place. Even prophets may profit. Mastery would not take long, but stopping once you start—as with whipped cream or kissing—may take more will power than most folks have.

~ David Madden, renowned novelist and teacher, author of Abducted by Circumstance, Pulitzer Prize nominee The Suicide’s Wife, and other books

When I conducted writing lessons in middle school and high school, I was always asked, “Does spelling count?” I would usually say, “Spelling counts especially when you are spelling a different word from the one you meant to use.” Now comes A.D. Reed’s Homophones, a compendium to help students find the right word for the right meaning. Whether one calls these mistakes malapropisms or mondegreens, a misspelling or a mispronunciation, Reed’s Homophones is a perfect resource for students to have alongside their Roget’s Thesaurus and their Webster’s Dictionary.

~ Dr. Arnold D. Sgan, retired university professor and education consultant

This slim gem of a book belongs on every reference shelf, whether for the professional writer or those who write simply for pleasure. This is an invaluable addition for those who love accuracy and polish in their writing. Written with a deft touch and flourishes of humor, this book should not be missed.

~ Sharon Shervington, former editor, international division, Wall Street Journal

About the author >>

Similes are as easy as pie for native English speakers to pick up, and some of them seem to be as old as the hills. But as young children learn the language—whether as their cradle tongue or a second language—they often wonder why we use certain phrases to mean completely unrelated things. Our hope is that young readers who are lovers of language, verbal tricks, and word games will be bowled over by this book … and will share their newfound verbal gymnastics with their friends!

But we don’t want to let the cat out of the bag here: suffice it to say that in this case, you probably can judge a book by its cover. After all, playing with the magnificent, fun, silly, and sometimes ridiculous English language is more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

Order a personalized, signed copy at www.skylightbooks.com/literallythecoolestbook

Literally the Coolest Book is a very fun exploration of idioms, metaphors, and the ways that language—clear examples to elucidate meanings and lively illustrations that enhance the humor. An important addition to any classroom (or home!) library.

~ Constance Lombardo, author and illustrator of the Mr. Puffball series and Everybody Says Meow

“[A] fun way to introduce and discuss idioms with elementary-age children.”

~ Stephanie Roselli, editor, educational publishing

About the author >>

Think, for example, about a lady from Maine who’s proud of the mane of hair that is the main attribute of her beauty. Or imagine a realtor who might cite the sight-lines of a property’s site as a selling point. And think how often those words are misused in newspapers, magazines, and elsewhere.

Why such confusion? Because English begs, borrows, and steals words from every language on earth, leading to utter confusion on the part of anyone trying to master it. “Bistro,” meaning a café, derives from the Russian word meaning “quickly,” and “café” is the French word for “coffee” (which derives from the Turkish “qawha,” apparently named for the “kaffa” area of Ethiopia where the plant originates). “Sheik” is Arabic; “qi” is Chinese, “data” Latin, and “tarantula” Spanish, and “language” came to us via French from the Latin “lingua,” meaning “tongue.” Americans adopt those words and adapt them to our pronunciation models, often making their meaning unclear.

To write correctly, it’s important to know which word is the one you need — because while spell-checking software can recognize whether or not you’ve spelled a word correctly, it can’t figure out which one you meant. Reed’s Homophones just might help you catch errors before it’s too late — say, when you have egg on your face.

Writers and editors praise Reed’s Homophones

Move over, Webster, Oxford, Partridge and Roget, and make room on the bookshelf for Reed. I prophesy that Reed’s Homophones will be as well-thumbed as any of them. If only this book had been around when I was riding herd [heard] on newspaper reporters; just think of how many blue [blew] pencils I could have saved, how much aggravation we would have been spared. So thank you, A.D. Reed … better late than never!

~ the late Glennys Christie, former magazine & newspaper editor and publisher

I’ve done editing since the 1960s, and this book is an essential tool for combating Spell Check. For anyone who believes that “Spill Czech cant bee beet four-hour porpoises,” Reed’s Homophones is an absolute blessing.

~ Marshall Lancaster, ad agency copy editor

Reed’s Homophones is the handiest quick reference on this subject. Writers, editors, students, teachers, business and government folks—I can’t imagine anyone anywhere in the world who would not welcome this chance to make the world of words a friendlier place. Even prophets may profit. Mastery would not take long, but stopping once you start—as with whipped cream or kissing—may take more will power than most folks have.

~ David Madden, renowned novelist and teacher, author of Abducted by Circumstance, Pulitzer Prize nominee The Suicide’s Wife, and other books

When I conducted writing lessons in middle school and high school, I was always asked, “Does spelling count?” I would usually say, “Spelling counts especially when you are spelling a different word from the one you meant to use.” Now comes A.D. Reed’s Homophones, a compendium to help students find the right word for the right meaning. Whether one calls these mistakes malapropisms or mondegreens, a misspelling or a mispronunciation, Reed’s Homophones is a perfect resource for students to have alongside their Roget’s Thesaurus and their Webster’s Dictionary.

~ Dr. Arnold D. Sgan, retired university professor and education consultant

This slim gem of a book belongs on every reference shelf, whether for the professional writer or those who write simply for pleasure. This is an invaluable addition for those who love accuracy and polish in their writing. Written with a deft touch and flourishes of humor, this book should not be missed.

~ Sharon Shervington, former editor, international division, Wall Street Journal

About the author >>