The word philavery was invented to describe this book: a collection of words chosen simply on the grounds of their aesthetic appeal. Some of these words appeal because of their aptness, some for their obscurity, some for their euphony, and some for their quirkiness. As a collection, they represent the fruits of a lifetime of reading and will delight all word lovers.
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Review
I happen to be one of those people who love these kinds of books, though unfortunately they frequently get lost in the mélange of frippery that is located around the checkout counter at better bookstores. Anyway, Foyle, who happens to own such a bookstore in London, has collected a fair-sized book's worth of odd and distinctive words, his favourite of which is "kakistocracy, a system of government where the rulers are the least competent, least qualified or most unprincipled citizens"--a word we ought to use more frequently. (The Morning News Book Digest 20080324)
I have found many surprises in the Philavery - I didn't know that alopecia literally means fox mange!
(Roddy Lumsden's Blog, www.booksfromscotland.com 20080324)About the Author
Christopher Foyle is Chairman, Managing Director and owner of Air Foyle, originally founded in 1978 as an executive air charter company.
He is a past President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and became Chairman of the British Cargo Airline Alliance from its inception in 1998. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots, Chairman of The Air League, a Freeman of the City of London and a Patron of the Book Trade Benevolent Society.
He has been a frequent speaker at conferences in the US, Europe and the CIS on air cargo, air finance, CIS aviation and virtual passenger airlines.
In 1999 he became Chairman of his world famous family bookselling business, Foyles, in Charing Cross Road, London. He took over a declining business and having installed a new management team and financial systems is currently turning the business around to recapture the position and reputation Foyles once held. From 2000 its turnover started to rise again and in 2003/2004 it made its first trading profit for seven years.
He also hosts and chairs the famous Foyles Literary Luncheons, founded in 1903.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Ralph Blumenau
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is great fun for those who are interested in unusual words, even though there is, I think, a slight padding out. By my reckoning at least, some ten words out of the 105 listed here beginning with the letter A are not really all that unusual. But this must be a somewhat subjective judgment. Some 73 of the words under A I had never come across, and that's a pretty good score for this beautifully produced book. Would make a lovely present for a philaveryphile!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love unusual words, and this (and its follow up Foyle's Further Philavery) is the kind of book I would expect to love. However it falls short of that for me. Some of the words are not really that unusual and an educated person would probably know, but the much bigger issue for me is that I would like to see more words which you might have a finite chance of actually using in a lifetime, rather than simply words you might only ever have a chance of using in a game of Scrabble. Examples: piki - a bread made from maize meal by the Hopi Indians of the South Western USA; galliard - a lively dance in triple time for couples, popular in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Funnily enough, Foyle says in his introduction that his mother-in-law coined the word "philavery" whilst the two of them were playing Scrabble, which is perhaps a bit of a giveaway.
I far more enjoyed the witty Superior Person's Book of Words series of books to these.
Funnily enough, Foyle says in his introduction that his mother-in-law coined the word "philavery" whilst the two of them were playing Scrabble, which is perhaps a bit of a giveaway.
I far more enjoyed the witty Superior Person's Book of Words series of books to these.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a really good book, full of obscure and fascinating words. Its also fun and a useful tool in getting reluctant readers to enjoy the power of words, it has been an excellent incentive in my family just by inserting one of the words in a text message knowing that the younger elements of the family will go and look it up in the Foyles. Wouldn't be without it now.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the logophile in your life
Philavery, noun: a collection of unusual words chosen for their aesthetic appeal. And that's exactly what you get with this book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Holmleas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
This book is fabulous, a collection of odd words which have all but disappeared from the English language. Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2010 by D. Isaac
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
Very informative and good fun. You will have lots of laughs playing guess the meaning of some of the words a great one for all the family both young and old.
Published on 17 April 2010 by Shoobs
4.0 out of 5 stars
Set now complete!
I was given "Foyle's further Philavery" and "My Philavery" for my recent birthday, so I wanted this volume to complete the set. Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2009 by KN Bladon
3.0 out of 5 stars
An idiosyncratic collection of (fairly) uncommon and pleasing words
When I saw this advertised, I felt slightly ashamed that I had no idea what a `philavery' was.... It turns out I needn't have worried: the word was invented specifically to... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2008 by Ms. Katie J. Down
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