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Hailed as 'superb' by The Spectator, 'consistently entertaining' by The Independent, and 'impressive and sage' by New Statesman, Melvyn Bragg's passion for his subject shines through, as noted by The Observer. This captivating work explores the fascinating journey of the English language, a collective achievement of countless individuals throughout history.
English, a language of remarkable adaptability and inclusivity, has become a global phenomenon. It permeates international finance, scientific research, and digital communication, with approximately two billion speakers worldwide. However, its survival was once precarious, nearly facing extinction in its infancy.
Bragg's narrative traces the evolution of English from its humble origins as an obscure Germanic dialect to its current status as a global lingua franca. 'The Adventure of English' is not merely a chronicle of linguistic development; it's a tapestry woven from threads of power struggles, religious influences, and commercial exchanges. At its heart, this is a story of ordinary people whose everyday lives have shaped – and continue to mould – this extraordinarily versatile language.
Book ISBN: | 9780340829936 |
Book Author: | Melvyn Bragg |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | Sceptre |
Book Publisher: | Hodder & Stoughton |
Book Dimensions: | 196 x 130 x 25 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2004-01-09 |
Book Pagination: | 368 pages, 2 x 8pp b/w & colour photos |
Book Weight: | 306g |
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.’