My books are inert as cordwood till a reader's imagination ignites one and an old flame jumps to life.

"Ahu" are stone platforms on which many moai sit. There are 313 known ahu and 125 of these carry moai. The biggest, Ahu Tongariki is 220 m (720 ft), and had the most (15) and tallest moai.

"All science is either physics or stamp collecting."

"Almost a hit," said the boy as he threw the stone at his dog and hit his stepmother's leg.

"Away with you, be a peddlar, a knave," says the hangman to his man.