Sign-In
Cart
Enigmas of The English Alphabet: The Art of the Scribe
Paperback
English as a Second LanguageTeaching Instruction
Publisher: Alvaro J. Alves- Milho
Published: Oct 13 2025
Pages: 144
Weight: 0.59
Height: 0.39 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Enigmas of the English Alphabet: The Art of the Scribe is not merely a book, it is a groundbreaking exploration of English spelling, pronunciation, and the art of language itself. Originally published in 2006 and a Foreword Magazine Book of the Year finalist in Education, this Revised Edition expands upon Alves-Milho's analysis of why English remains one of the most fascinating and challenging languages to master, and what learners can do to navigate it with confidence.
Editorial reviews
Enigmas Of The English Alphabet by Alvaro J. Alves-Milho . Comprehensively compiled and arranged for ease of use by non-specialist general readers, Enigmas Of The English Alphabet expansively contributes for a greater and more accurate conceptual grasp of the rules and peculiarities of a difficult and sometimes contradictory language.
Enigmas Of The English Alphabet is very strongly recommended, especially to readers new to the English language, as well as those who are searching for a user-friendly and easy-to-follow guide to the many diversities and specifics of a language that even native-born speakers can have difficulties with.
Midwest Book Review Small Press Bookwatch May 2006
MBR: Small Press Bookwatch, May 2006 (midwestbookreview.com)
Reader reviews
Ricardo N. - León, Guanajuato ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I bought this book after years of frustration with English pronunciation apps that never worked for me. This book is different because it explains why English behaves the way it does. Once you understand that, everything becomes less stressful. I especially appreciated that the author avoids arrogance-there's no sense of you should already know this. Instead, there's patience, logic, and respect. This is one of the most thoughtful ESL books I've ever read.
Thomas R. - Hamburg, Germany ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I bought this book because I enjoy language history, but I didn't expect it to be so practical. It doesn't just tell you what English does-it explains how it got there. That perspective changes everything. Suddenly, pronunciation mistakes feel understandable rather than embarrassing. The writing style is calm, precise, and respectful, which I deeply appreciate. This book feels like it was written by someone who genuinely cares about learners, not just about theory.
Liu Fang - Chengdu, Sichuan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am an English teacher, and this book immediately stood out from the usual materials. It explains pronunciation in a way that aligns with how learners actually think, not how linguists write papers. The avoidance of heavy IPA symbols is a huge advantage for students who feel overwhelmed by technical notation. I have already started adapting some of the ideas into my lessons, and my students are responding positively. This book respects both teachers and learners.
Jennifer M. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(ESL Teacher)
This book is a breakthrough for my classroom. Instead of overwhelming students with the International Phonetic Alphabet, Alvaro's method gives them practical tools they can use immediately. The cover looks professional, though adding a visual hint of language learning could make it even more inviting for students.
Also in
English as a Second Language
English Grammar in Use Book with Answers: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Learners of English
Murphy, Raymond
Paperback
Oxford Picture Dictionary Third Edition: Monolingual Dictionary
Adelson-Goldstein, Jayme
Shapiro, Norma
Paperback
Toefl, IBT Premium, Nineteenth Edition: Prep Book with 10 Practice Tests + Comprehensive Review + Online Audio (2026)
Sharpe, Pamela J., PH. D.
Paperback
Essential Grammar in Use with Answers: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Elementary Learners of English
Murphy, Raymond
Paperback
English Collocations in Use Intermediate Book with Answers: How Words Work Together for Fluent and Natural English
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
Redman, Stuart
Paperback
English Phrasal Verbs in Use Intermediate Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
O'Dell, Felicity
McCarthy, Michael
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate Book with Answers and Enhanced eBook: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
Redman, Stuart
Edwards, Lynda
Paperback
The Official Cambridge Guide to Ielts Student's Book with Answers
French, Amanda
Jakeman, Vanessa
Cullen, Pauline
Paperback
English Collocations in Use Advanced Book with Answers: How Words Work Together for Fluent and Natural English
O'Dell, Felicity
McCarthy, Michael
Paperback
Oxford Picture Dictionary Third Edition: English/Spanish Dictionary
Adelson-Goldstein, Jayme
Shapiro, Norma
Paperback
English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
English Made Easy Volume One: A New ESL Approach: Learning English Through Pictures (Free Online Audio)
Koster, Pieter
Crichton, Jonathan
Paperback
Aprender inglés para adultos principiantes: 5 libros en 1: ¡Habla inglés en 30 días!
Towin, Explore
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use Elementary Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use: Advanced Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
O'Dell, Felicity
McCarthy, Michael
Paperback
English Language Learning with Super Support: Beginners - Book 1: A WORKBOOK For ESL / ESOL / EFL / ELL Students
Balli, Chris
Paperback
English the American Way: A Fun Guide to English Language 2nd Edition
Murtha, Sheila Mackechnie
O'Connor, Jane Airey
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
O'Dell, Felicity
McCarthy, Michael
Paperback
Oxford Bookworms Library: The Wizard of Oz: Level 1: 400-Word Vocabulary
Bassett, Jennifer
Baum, L. Frank
Paperback
English Idioms in Use Intermediate Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
Oxford Picture Dictionary Content Area for Kids English-Spanish Dictionary
Santamaria, Jenni Currie
Paperback
Practice Makes Perfect: English Vocabulary for Beginning ESL Learners, Premium Fourth Edition
Yates, Jean
Paperback
Practice Makes Perfect: Complete English All-In-One for ESL Learners, Premium Second Edition
Swick, Ed
Paperback
Talk English: The Secret to Speak English Like a Native in 6 Months for Busy People
Xiao, Ken
Paperback
101 Conversations in Intermediate English: Short, Natural Dialogues to Improve Your Spoken English from Home
Richards, Olly
Paperback
McGraw-Hill Education Essential ESL Dictionary: 9,000+ Words for Learners of English
McGraw Hill
Paperback
English Conversation Made Natural: Engaging Dialogues to Learn English (2nd Edition)
Guru, Language
Paperback
English Idioms in Use Advanced Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
O'Dell, Felicity
McCarthy, Michael
Paperback
Grammar in Use Intermediate Student's Book with Answers: Self-Study Reference and Practice for Students of American English
Murphy, Raymond
Paperback
Oxford Picture Dictionary English-Brazilian Portuguese: Bilingual Dictionary for Brazilian Portuguese Speaking Teenage and Adult Students of English
Shapiro, Norma
Adelson-Goldstein, Jayme
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use: Advanced Book with Answers and Enhanced eBook: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
O'Dell, Felicity
McCarthy, Michael
Paperback
English Made Easy, Volume Two: A New ESL Approach: Learning English Through Pictures
Koster, Pieter
Crichton, Jonathan
Paperback
Inglés En 100 Días. Inglés Básico Súper Rápido / English in 100 Days. Basic English Super Quick
Inglés En 100 Días
Paperback
Easy Reading for ESL Students - Starter 1: Twelve Short Stories for Learners of English
Bread, Johnny
Paperback
Inglés En 100 Días - Inglés Para Conversar / English in 100 Days: Conversational English
Inglés En 100 Días
Paperback
Vocabulary in Use Intermediate: 100 Units of Vocabulary Practice in North American English
Redman, Stuart
Paperback
101 Conversations in Simple English: Short, Natural Dialogues to Boost Your Confidence & Improve Your Spoken English
Richards, Olly
Paperback
ESL Games for the Classroom: 101 Interactive Activities to Engage Your Students with Minimal Prep
Digiacomo, Michael
Paperback
Practice Makes Perfect: Advanced English Grammar for ESL Learners, Second Edition
Lester, Mark
Paperback
Making Connections Level 2 Student's Book with Integrated Digital Learning: Skills and Strategies for Academic Reading
McEntire, Jo
Williams, Jessica
Paperback
Ventures Level 3 Student`s Digital Value Pack
Johnson, Dennis
Price, Donna
Bitterlin, Gretchen
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate Book with Answers and Enhanced eBook: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
A-Z for English B: Essential vocabulary and practice activities organized by topic for IB Diploma
Kuskunov, Silvana
G, Manuel Acosta
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use Elementary Book with Answers and Enhanced eBook: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
Practice Makes Perfect: Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners, Third Edition
Torres-Gouzerh, Robin
Paperback
English Short Stories for Beginners: Learn English With Stories From an American Life
Guru, Language
Paperback
Longman Academic Writing - (Ae) - With Enhanced Digital Resources (2020) - Student Book with Myenglishlab & App - Paragraphs to Essays
Hogue, Ann
Oshima, Alice
Paperback
How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth: A Guide to Understanding and Using Bible Versions
Fee, Gordon D.
Strauss, Mark L.
Paperback
English Short Stories for Intermediate Learners: Learn English and Build Your Vocabulary the Fun and Easy Way
Guru, Language
Paperback
English Grammar in Use Book Without Answers: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Learners of English
Murphy, Raymond
Paperback
Business Result Intermediate Students Book and Online Practice Pack 2nd Edition
Hughes/Naunton
Paperback
Domina el inglés: [8 in 1] El sistema completo para conquistar el inglés sin frustraciones
Morales, Prof Alejandro
Paperback
Inglés Básico: Una introducción práctica en treinta temas básicos para empezar a hablar ya!
Welsch, Daniel
Paperback
Inglés En 100 Días. Inglés Para Latinos. Nueva Edición / English in 100 Days. the Latino's Complete English Course
Inglés En 100 Días
Paperback
ESL - English as a Second Language: A Quickstudy Laminated Reference Guide
Lindberg Med Tesol, Misa
Other
Compelling American Conversations: Questions and Quotations for Intermediate American English Language Learners
Roth, Eric H.
Aberson, Toni
Paperback
Easy Reading for ESL Students - Book 4: Twelve Short Stories for Learners of English
Bread, Johnny
Paperback
Ventures Level 4 Student`s Digital Value Pack
Johnson, Dennis
Price, Donna
Bitterlin, Gretchen
Paperback
Kid's Box New Generation Level 2 Teacher's Book with Digital Pack American English
Frino, Lucy
Paperback
Easy Stories in English for Beginners: 10 Fairy Tales to Take Your English From OK to Good and From Good to Great
Goodbody, Ariel
Paperback
English Pronunciation in Use Elementary Book with Answers and Downloadable Audio
Marks, Jonathan
Paperback
50 English Coffee Breaks: Short Activities to Improve Your English One Cup at a Time
Coffee Break Languages
Paperback
Business Vocabulary in Use: Intermediate Book with Answers and Enhanced eBook: Self-Study and Classroom Use
Mascull, Bill
Paperback
Business Vocabulary in Use: Intermediate Book with Answers: Self-Study and Classroom Use
Mascull, Bill
Paperback
Oxford Picture Dictionary Third Edition Plus+: Picture the Journey to Success
Adelson-Goldstein, Jayme
Paperback
Aprender inglés para adultos principiantes: 3 libros en 1: ¡Habla inglés en 30 días!
Towin, Explore
Paperback
Making Connections Level 3 Student's Book with Integrated Digital Learning: Skills and Strategies for Academic Reading
Williams, Jessica
Pakenham, Kenneth J.
McEntire, Jo
Paperback
Aprender inglés para adultos principiantes: 3 libros en 1: ¡Habla inglés en 30 días!
Towin, Explore
Paperback
Essential Grammar in Use Book with Answers and Interactive eBook Russian Edition
Murphy, Ray
Paperback
English Short Stories for Beginners and Intermediate Learners: Learn English and Build Your Vocabulary
Guru, Language
Paperback
Azar-Hagen Grammar - (Ae) - 5th Edition - Student Book with App - Fundamentals of English Grammar
Azar, Betty
Hagen, Stacy
Paperback
Easy Reading for ESL Students - Book 2: Twelve Short Stories for Learners of English
Bread, Johnny
Paperback