Buy this book and give it to the english
935212
You know when you meet an english person and they act all superior and you wish you had a long list of reasons why they should not be so full of themselves? This is that book.
557970
I have been studying English since I was a kid. I can say that almost everything I learned was through self study, and I think people who have been learning English the same way I have would agree to the point that nothing is better than having good reference books especially that ones relating to idioms and phrasal verbs.

I am not afraid of rating this book as excellent because every time I need it there is an answer. I have recently bought some other books from Amazon.com (business books) and when I am challenged by what seems to be an idiom I look up in the dictionary and... THERE IT IS!!!

I strongly recommend it and also the following books from Longman: Language Activator, Dictionary of Contemporary English and Phrasal Verbs Dictionary.
817691
Bought as a gift for a friend.  Although the book is English v American, the comprehensive tome covers so much, he is carrying it around to parties and entertaining us all with newly discoveres vulgarities.  I think he's developing a British accent but it's hard to tell through the giggling.
3258192
I'm planning to go on a trip to England in September and ordered the book early.  After briefly looking through it, I can tell it will be of great help to me.  I was told about this book from someone who had taken it with them to England and they said "YOU HAVE TO GET THIS BOOK!"  So buy it!
3322075
Excellent read, My husband bought them as a present for me, and thou english is not my first language I found it really easy to read, very educational, and i must say i enjoy the fact that I needed to do some research and learnt new things, I certainly recommend it and also encourage you to give it as a present to a  friend, family or even a work college, you will certainly leave a print in their hearts. Kind regards, Estefania Lugo
3598668
Kate Fox provides a great read for those who are trying to understand the English and their culture. From how to start a conversation all the way to what not to say, Fox provides all the rules and examples ensuring there is no confusion on how to interact.

Throughout the book there is a lot of humour added as that is a big component of the English culture. The book itself is broken down into two major sections. The first is conversation codes and how one should go about interacting with the English whether it be at the pub, the race course, in the work situation or even a London cab. The second part is on behaviour which delves into another area of the English culture touching on class codes, rules of play, sex, religion etc.

Fortunately I have lived in the UK twice in my life and a lot of these aspects I have picked up over time. The book is very long and at times goes a little overboard in description. For the person coming to England for the first time, this is a one stop shop book in getting up to speed with the English.

Three key takeaways from the book:
1. The weather is the first go-to conversation topic in most situations. Always agree with the weather call and do not criticise the English weather. Note television shows is the second go-to conversation topic
2. National average for watching television is 4 hours a day (including online viewing) . Wow!
3. There are 50,000 pubs in England, frequented by three quarters of the adult population. One third of those are regulars visiting the pub at least once a week
1555134
How can I even dare to write anything about a book so profoundly entrenched in our culture? Instead, I will just say that as a person whose mother tongue is not English, this book is just perfect for improving your literary English, without straining your head too much. It's not too archaic, and the narrative is not very complex, so it is easily understood, and can serve as a jumping board to older and harder books.
1106809
The best introduction: clear, inviting, doesn't assume the reader understands any basics so there are no
gaps in the reading. The nuts and bolts with lots of details on dress, gender, rituals.  Oddly entertaining as well. It covers the main basicss. If you have tried to read the 900 page version by the "Bharata bros and gave up due to the strangled explainations and Edwardian English  and repetition....get this edition. If you can find it! Students enjoy reading it.  Why is this book not re-issued in paper in a version in the USA???
2880709
I'm an engineering student at an engineering school. I do not enjoy English, and i despise English textbooks.

This book, however, is very informative, interesting, and I would consider it the best English book I've ever been required to own.

It gives great examples and I truly feel like the content in it is going to excel my professional career.
91634
It's one of the greatest books around and totally relevant but I would suggest you get the Robert Fagles translation for it really makes a difference.
2783054
I love this book and the second part. I highly recommend this book for self growth or as a gift. Unfortunately there aren't any editions is English, but this book is a great read.
2161289
Simply the best, most intelligent, most superbly organized work about the roots of English.  Just flipping through the pages at random is an education by itself.  Beats Skeat by an English mile.
4287172
For anyone who loves the English language or who wants to use it well, this book is a treasure. I could not be more pleased, gratified, delighted or thrilled. It is incredibly useful, helpful, valuable and beneficial!  And I MEAN it!
1421270
I bought the book and tape because I'm teaching a class of pre-literate Burmese refugees. They are charming, retirement-age folks who have never been to school. I'm hoping my difficulties with Burmese (considerable!) will show them how wonderfully well they're doing in English. They think the book is very amusing. I can now say "Thank you" and count to six on a good day.
  I hope they can pass the tests necessary for citizenship. and I can count to ten.
Thanks for your interest
Margaret
2188634
English is not my native language. However, I consider my command over written and spoken English as a matter of great pride! Since coming to North America, I have received many a compliments on the same. But again, English is not my native language, and that remains a fact.

There are many a tips and tricks that I did not know before I started to read this book. I ordered the book as it was a required text for one of my courses, but never really read it in full. I would pick it up occasionally and randomly select a page and start reading. I was astounded at how the book kept my interest alive each time I did so and  would make me feel pressed to go on. Eventually, I decided it was about time, I paid respect to the "little book" and started off at page one. I have learned a lot from this book and recommend it to one and all, but most especially to people who study or work in an environment where English is the preferred language of communication, but whose native language is not English. This book should be read by all such people, regadless of their level of fluency. Trust me you will be smiling all along, either at having learned a neat little tip, or reminiscizing about the many times you have made the blunders that the book warns about!
153689
I bought this for a friend.  I read the English version and it is a wonderful book.  Everyone should read it.  You have no idea what is going on in the world if you don't read and watch the news.
3867004
this book is incredibly helpful to those who learning animation, and given to those who bad knowing  english language