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Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global by Laura Spinney is a captivating journey into the origins of language and humanity's shared heritage. This enthralling narrative unveils the profound impact of one ancient tongue that shaped the world as we know it.
Spinney takes readers on an adventure across continents, revealing how a single proto-language, spoken over five millennia ago, has influenced countless modern languages—from English to Icelandic to Iranic. As you delve into Proto, you’ll discover:
Acclaimed by critics, including a nod from The Guardian and praise from renowned authors like David Bellos, this book is described as a "truly extraordinary detective story" by Matt Ridley. Spinney’s engaging prose and thorough research illuminate the journey of Indo-European languages and their descendants, making it accessible for both linguistics enthusiasts and general readers alike.
In Proto, you will not just learn about words; you will uncover a rich tapestry of human history woven together by language. Journey with Spinney to understand how one ancient language influenced nearly half of humanity today.
ISBN: | 9780008626525 |
Author: | Laura Spinney |
Format: | Hardback |
Imprint: | William Collins |
Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers |
Dimensions: | 164 x 243 x 33 mm |
Publication Date: | 24 April, 2025 |
Pagination: | 352 pages |
Weight: | 556g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’