David Crystal is Honorary Professor of Linguistics at the University of Bangor. His many books range from clinical linguistics to the liturgy and Shakespeare. He is the author of The Story of English in 100 Words and Spell It Out: The Singular History of English Spelling, both published by Profile. His Stories of English is a Penguin Classic.
Here is a learned and subtle book that amuses as it instructs, and instructs as it amuses. It deserves to sell three million -- Sam Leith * Guardian * Mr Crystal treats his chosen period with enthusiasm and insight. -- Keith Houston * Wall Street Journal * David Crystal's superb new book is packed full of illuminating examples ... With crisp, tight prose punctuated with self-conscious precision, Crystal provides not only a historical guide but an indispensable reference manual * South China Morning Post * Crystal will delight anyone interested in written language ... he brings scholarly acumen and gravity, as well as delight and good humor, to his subject. * Publishers Weekly *