The Forsyth Collection by Mark Forsyth 3 Books Collection Set - Non Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set
The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language
The Horologicon: A Day's Jaunt Through the Lost Words of the English Language
The Elements of Eloquence: How To Turn the Perfect English Phrase

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Icon Books

Overview
This collection gathers three of Mark Forsyth's most loved books on the English language into one witty paperback bundle: The Etymologicon, The Horologicon, and The Elements of Eloquence. Each volume explores words from a different angle — hidden word histories, forgotten daily-life vocabulary, and the rhetorical tricks behind unforgettable phrases — yet all share Forsyth's trademark humor and curiosity. Readers move from surprising word connections to obscure terms for everyday moments, then to the craft secrets behind Shakespeare and modern slogans. Ideal for writers, students, teachers, and curious readers who love the strange, funny corners of English, this set makes language feel like play, not homework.

About the Books
Mark Forsyth writes about language the way a great tour guide narrates a city: with wit, surprising detours, and an obvious love for the subject. The Etymologicon opens with a single word and follows a chain of associations — one word leading to the next — until an interconnected web of English vocabulary unfolds, revealing how everyday phrases trace back to surprising, often funny, origins. The Horologicon structures itself around the hours of a single day, unearthing obscure, wonderfully specific words for the things that happen from waking to sleeping — words English once had but has since forgotten, for everything from breakfast dawdling to nighttime worry. It treats the dictionary as a lost museum, rescuing terms that deserve a second life. The Elements of Eloquence shifts focus from vocabulary to construction, breaking down the rhetorical figures that make certain lines of poetry, advertising, and speech stick in the memory, with examples ranging from Shakespeare to pop lyrics. Together, the three books form a rounded education in English: where words come from, what forgotten words we're missing, and how to arrange words for maximum effect. Each is written in short, breezy chapters suited to cover-to-cover reading or casual dipping in and out, appealing equally to language nerds, writers sharpening their prose, teachers wanting classroom trivia, and curious general readers.

Key Benefits

• Three full nonfiction books on the English language in one affordable paperback set
• Written by Mark Forsyth in a witty, accessible style that suits casual and serious readers alike
• Covers word origins, forgotten vocabulary, and the rhetorical craft behind memorable phrases
• Short, chapter-based structure ideal for dipping in and out or reading cover to cover
• Great gift for writers, students, teachers, and language enthusiasts
• A fun, browsable addition to any home, classroom, or office bookshelf

Book-by-Book Guide
The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language — Follows one surprising word association after another, showing how unrelated-seeming words share hidden roots.
The Horologicon: A Day's Jaunt Through the Lost Words of the English Language — Organized hour by hour through a single day, it revives forgotten English words for ordinary daily moments.
The Elements of Eloquence: How To Turn the Perfect English Phrase — Breaks down the classic rhetorical devices behind history's most quotable lines, from Shakespeare to advertising slogans.

About the Author
Mark Forsyth is a British author, journalist, and self-described 'inky fool' known for his playful, deeply researched explorations of the English language. Before writing books, he worked as a proofreader, journalist, and ghostwriter, experience that fed a lifelong fascination with where words come from and why some phrases stick while others vanish. His Inky Fool blog on etymology and rhetoric built a devoted following and led directly to The Etymologicon, which launched his run of bestselling language books. Forsyth's writing blends scholarly curiosity with a comedian's timing, making linguistics and rhetoric accessible to general readers rather than just academics and specialists.

Why You'll Love This Collection
Three witty, bite-sized nonfiction reads in one paperback bundle — perfect for word lovers, writers, teachers, and trivia fans alike. Great as a birthday gift, stocking stuffer, or holiday present for the bookworm who already has everything, and equally at home in a classroom library or on a commuter's bookshelf for short, satisfying reads.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.