In these days of instant-access information, there's something comforting about the time-tested reliability of mnemonic devices. I've certainly been known to mutter "Thirty days hath September…" to figure out the number of days in a month; "Every Good Boy Does Fine" to remember the notes on the treble clef; and "ROY G BIV" to recall the colors of the rainbow. I Before E (Except After C) compiles hundreds of rhymes, acronyms, sayings, and other memory-recall tricks - many of which you probably learned in grade school (but may have, ahem, forgotten). Divided thematically into chapters on language, science, mathematics, history, and more, I Before E (Except After C) is an endlessly amusing - and practical - little book for students of any age. (AG)