An Unkindness of Ravens: A Book of Collective Nouns

''Stand near woodland in early spring, after night has fallen and when the air is still, and if you're lucky, you'll hear the thrilling, trilling song of the nightingale.''

Few things can be more relaxing and soothing than the nightingales' song in the twilight. Those of us who live in the big cities where every sound of nature is drawn in a cacophony of cars and humans rarely get the chance to enjoy the chirping of Nature's greatest singers. Birds have always fascinated us. They embody tranquility and stealth and have attained something the human always seeks. The flight. So, there is no wondering why the majority of the collective nouns in the English Language refers to birds.

This little treasure of a book is a comprehensive guide to the collective nouns, tracing their origins back to scarcely recorded times and shows how historical and sociopolitical issues has always influenced our languages and our way of thinking. My favourites have always been ‘‘A Murder of Crows'' and ‘‘A Parliament of Owls.'' I mean, obviously....Nouns about people, professions, domestic and exotic animals in a book written in an effective, engaging and informative style without becoming boring like a textbook. This is perfect for teachers and students and for all of us who enjoy exploring the origins and influences of this magical thing we call ‘‘Language''.