Daniel Everett was born in California. He lived for many years in the Amazon jungle and conducted research on over a dozen indigenous languages of Brazil. He has published on sound structure, grammar, meaning, culture and language. He has been the subject of endless controversy in academic circles and is currently Professor of Linguistics at Illinois State University.
Destined to become a classic -- David Papineau The Independent Everett writes simply and persuasively about language ... a fascinating thesis ... his courage and conviction should give linguists pause for thought -- Andrew Anthony Guardian A remarkable book. It is written with an immediacy even a Piraha might envy, and its conjunction of physical and intellectual adventure is irresistible -- John Carey Sunday Times This is an astonishing book: a work of exploration, into the most distant place and language, but also a revelation of the way language is shaped by thought and circumstance. -- Ben Macintyre The Times Fascinating The Times Going native has seldom led to a book as challenging and appealing as this memoir -- Boyd Tonkin Independent Thorough, thought-provoking ... vivid details are combined with broader questions -- Anita Sethi Independent on Sunday Quite extraordinary Sunday Tribune