Paul Dickson is celebrated for his extensive body of nonfiction work, exploring diverse subjects from the American language and baseball to pivotal moments in 20th-century history. His writing is characterized by a deep investigative spirit, breathing life into forgotten narratives such as the Bonus Army and its impact on American history. Dickson excels at uncovering hidden connections and meanings, whether examining language, sports, or technological advancements. His works are valued for their thoroughness and engaging storytelling.
The narrative reveals the pivotal transformation of the American Army from isolated outposts into a cohesive, agile fighting force prior to Pearl Harbor. It highlights the strategic mobilization efforts and the challenges faced during this critical period, showcasing the evolution of military tactics and organization that ultimately contributed to the United States' success in World War II. The account emphasizes the often-overlooked preparations and leadership that laid the groundwork for a formidable military response.
Paul Dickson, one of the country's leading authorities on American slang, offers the first comprehensive collection of fighting words and wartime phrases Americans have used from the Civil War to the Iraq War. This definitive dictionary, updated and expanded to include the events of September 11 and the war on terrorism, is arranged war by war and reveals military slang at its most colorful, innovative, brutal, and ironic. Dickson also shows how language mirrors the unique experience of each conflict. For example, World War II brought unprecedented linguistic experimentation, innovation, and abbreviation, including "dogface", "quisling", "blitz", and the immortal "GI" as well as the rich stew of pidgin English used to communicate with the native peoples of the South Pacific. Raw frustration and cynicism surface in the slang of the Vietnam War, with a record number of synonyms for the verb "to kill", including "blow away", "dust", "get some grease", "waste", and "zap". Beginning with a brief overview of the Revolutionary War, War Slang reveals the thoughts, attitudes, and environments of America’s fighting men and women from the last 230 years. An incomparable reference work, WAR SLANG serves the language lover and military historian alike by adding a brilliant and provocative new dimension to the understanding of war.
This unique timeline provides an entertaining and informative tour of the second half of our century by the popular humorist and anthologist, Paul Dickson. Knight Ridder Newspapers calls From Elvis to E-mail "great reading".
The Principles, Maxims, and Instructions That Define Your Life on the Job
122 pages
5 hours of reading
A collection of quips and quotes reveals how things really work--or fail to work--at the office, from bureaucracy run amok to run-down office machines, offering such insights as "You're not late until you get there."
From Abner Doubleday to Zurdo, from its thorough bibliography to its innovative thesaurus, this indispensable baseball resource is “that rarest of sports books, a valuable reference work that provides absorbing and enlightening reading” (Sports Illustrated). Winner of the Society of american Baseball Researchers Award. Black-and-white photographs.
