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Books and Authors
Books and Authors

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Books and Authors is here in full — 429 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Anonymous • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Books and Authors
Context Illustration Reading 1/85 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.
Two changes have been made to the text:
In the anecdote "DR.
JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".
In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Books and Authors

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Books and Authors is here in full — 429 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.
Line 2
Two changes have been made to the text:
/tuː ˈtʃeɪndʒəz hæv bɪn meɪd tuː ðə tekst/
Line 3
In the anecdote "DR.
Line 4
JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".
/ˈdʒɑːnsənz ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəmz wʌn ˈɪnstəns ʌv ðə wɜːrd baɪ wɑːz dɪˈliːtəd frʌm ðə ˈpæsədʒ dʒʌst baɪ baɪ tʃæns/
Line 5
In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."
/ɪn ðə ˈmɜːrmeɪd klʌb ˈdʒɑːnsən wɑːz tʃeɪndʒd tuː ˈdʒɑːnsən ɪn ðə ˈpæsədʒ ˈboʊmɔːnt ˈfɑːndli lets hɪz θɔːts ˈwɑːndər ɪn hɪz ˈletər tuː ˈdʒɑːnsən/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

correction noun US /kərˈekʃən/

the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right

From this reading “In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
criticisms noun US /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəmz/

plural of “criticism” — disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

From this reading “JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
deleted verb US /dɪˈliːtəd/

past form of “delete” — remove or make invisible

From this reading “JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
disadvantageous adjective US /ˌdɪsædvænˈteɪdʒəs/

involving or creating circumstances detrimental to success or effectiveness

From this reading “In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Jonson noun US /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English dramatist and poet who was the first real poet laureate of England (1572-1637)

From this reading “In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mermaid noun US /ˈmɜːrmeɪd/

half woman and half fish; lives in the sea

From this reading “In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
respectively adverb US /rɪˈspektɪvli/

in the order given

From this reading “In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
vowel noun US /ˈvaʊəl/

a speech sound made with the vocal tract open

From this reading “In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

depends on verb + particle counted as “depend on”

be contingent on

In this reading “In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.”

20,033 times in 426,211 chapters
by chance preposition + noun

through chance

In this reading “JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".”

7,946 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 58

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
anecdotenounUS /ˈænəkdoʊt/

short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BeaumontnounUS /ˈboʊmɔːnt/

United States surgeon remembered for his studies of digestion (1785-1853)

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
brevenoun

a diacritical mark (U-shaped) placed over a vowel to indicate a short sound

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
chancenounUS /tʃæns/

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading Two changes have been made to the text:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CLUBnounUS /klʌb/

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CORRECTIONnounUS /kərˈekʃən/

the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CRITICISMSnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəmz/

plural of “criticism” — disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
deletedverbUS /dɪˈliːtəd/

past form of “delete” — remove or make invisible

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dependsverbUS /dɪˈpendz/

third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
differencenounUS /ˈdɪfərəns/

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DISADVANTAGEOUSadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsædvænˈteɪdʒəs/

involving or creating circumstances detrimental to success or effectiveness

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DR

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the anecdote "DR.

Pending verification
fondlyadverbUS /ˈfɑːndli/

with fondness; with love

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ipronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
InprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
instancenounUS /ˈɪnstəns/

an occurrence of something

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JohnsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JOHNSON'SnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsənz/

possessive form of “johnson” — English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JonsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English dramatist and poet who was the first real poet laureate of England (1572-1637)

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
letsnounUS /lets/

plural of “let” — a brutal terrorist group active in Kashmir; fights against India with the goal of restoring Islamic rule of India

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
letternounUS /ˈletər/

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
macronnoun

a diacritical mark (-) placed above a vowel to indicate a long sound

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Two changes have been made to the text:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MERMAIDnounUS /ˈmɜːrmeɪd/

half woman and half fish; lives in the sea

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/

represented accurately or precisely

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
respectivelyadverbUS /rɪˈspektɪvli/

in the order given

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
talenounUS /teɪl/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
textnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading Two changes have been made to the text:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Two changes have been made to the text:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
TwonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two changes have been made to the text:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
vowelnounUS /ˈvaʊəl/

a speech sound made with the vocal tract open

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wanderverbUS /ˈwɑːndər/

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading In "THE MERMAID CLUB", Johnson was changed to Jonson in the passage: "Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson..."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the anecdote "DISADVANTAGEOUS CORRECTION", the point of the tale depends on the difference between an i with a macron (long vowel) and an i with a breve (short vowel) These have been represented as [=i] and [)i] respectively.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading JOHNSON'S CRITICISMS", one instance of the word "by" was deleted from the passage: "just by by chance".

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of Books and Authors by Anonymous holds 429 sentences, grouped into 86 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Books and Authors contain?

Chapter 1 holds 429 sentences of Books and Authors, unabridged, divided into 86 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Books and Authors by Anonymous exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 429 sentences, grouped into 86 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Books and Authors?

Work through the 86 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 86 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Books and Authors

Common questions about reading Books and Authors by Anonymous on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Books and Authors?

Yes. All 1651 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #30396 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Books and Authors is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #30396, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Books and Authors take to read?

About 137 minutes of reading across 331 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Books and Authors section by section

How to work through Books and Authors section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 4 chapters of Books and Authors to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Books and Authors

Words and structures a reader meets early in Books and Authors, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Anecdote
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Books and Authors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Disadvantageous
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Books and Authors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Correction
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Books and Authors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Point
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Books and Authors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.