Originally published by the author's company in the UK in October 2003, "Heavy Words Lightly Thrown captured the world's attention after a burst of publicity in March 2004. The first print run sold out and rights were bought by Granta (UK) and by Gotham Books. Chris Roberts, a librarian at East London University and the proprietor of Foot and Mouth Walking Tours in London, delivers a lighthearted romp through British history, revealing the seamy and quirky stories behind our favorite nursery rhymes.