Minis
Mini Copy Book

Each post in this section is a short précis (summary) of a passage in The Copy Book. All of them are in modern English. They are intended for students of English as a Foreign Language at Elementary Level.

Daniel Defoe

The Weakness of Women

Daniel Defoe argues that it is in every man’s interest to watch the women in his life realise their full potential.

Length: 59 words

Greek History

To Make Greece a Nation

A headstrong Irish boy became part of the Greek resistance movement that won independence in 1832.

Length: 115 words

Lives of the Saints

The Trials of Alexander Nevsky

Lucy Cazalet gives an overview of the remarkable Russian ruler, who showed the courage of a prince and the humility of a saint.

Length: 113 words

Free Trade and Markets

Muir and Mirrielees

The Scottish department store near the Bolshoi Theatre inspired an affection that contrasted sharply with Westminster’s Russophobia.

Length: 113 words

French Revolution

Polly Piper

Young Thomas Cochrane learned early on that for a sailor, making a pet of a parrot could be surprisingly hazardous.

Length: 111 words

Scottish History

A Defective Education

Sir Walter Scott tells the story of how a distinguished Scottish professor nearly became Little John to Scotland’s Robin Hood.

Length: 115 words