Now revised, The Story of English is the first book to tell the whole story of the English language. Originally paired with a major PBS miniseries, this book presents a stimulating and comprehensive record of spoken and written English—from its Anglo-Saxon origins some two thousand years ago to the present day, when English is the dominant language of commerce and culture with more than one billion English speakers around the world. From Cockney, Scouse, and Scots to Gulla, Singlish, Franglais, and the latest African American slang, this sweeping history of the English language is the essential introduction for anyone who wants to know more about our common tongue.
The Story of EnglishList of Maps
New Introduction to the Third Edition
Introduction: Speaking of English
1. An English-Speaking World
2. The Mother Tongue
3. A Muse of Fire
4. The Guid Scots Tongue
5. The Loaded Weapon
6. Black on White
7. Pioneers! O Pioneers!
8. The Echoes of an English Voice
9. The New Englishes
10. Next Year's Words
Notes and Sources
Select Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Index
Robert McCrum is the author of six novels and co-author of the non-fiction bestseller, The Story of English. Now Literary Editor of The Observer, he lives in London with his wife and their daughter. View titles by Robert McCrum
Robert MacNeil was, until his retirement in October 1995, the coanchor of PBS's The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. His books include four nonfiction works, including his two volumes of memoir, and three novels. MacNeil was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. He lives in New York City. View titles by Robert Macneil
© Author

About

Now revised, The Story of English is the first book to tell the whole story of the English language. Originally paired with a major PBS miniseries, this book presents a stimulating and comprehensive record of spoken and written English—from its Anglo-Saxon origins some two thousand years ago to the present day, when English is the dominant language of commerce and culture with more than one billion English speakers around the world. From Cockney, Scouse, and Scots to Gulla, Singlish, Franglais, and the latest African American slang, this sweeping history of the English language is the essential introduction for anyone who wants to know more about our common tongue.

Table of Contents

The Story of EnglishList of Maps
New Introduction to the Third Edition
Introduction: Speaking of English
1. An English-Speaking World
2. The Mother Tongue
3. A Muse of Fire
4. The Guid Scots Tongue
5. The Loaded Weapon
6. Black on White
7. Pioneers! O Pioneers!
8. The Echoes of an English Voice
9. The New Englishes
10. Next Year's Words
Notes and Sources
Select Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Index

Author

Robert McCrum is the author of six novels and co-author of the non-fiction bestseller, The Story of English. Now Literary Editor of The Observer, he lives in London with his wife and their daughter. View titles by Robert McCrum
Robert MacNeil was, until his retirement in October 1995, the coanchor of PBS's The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. His books include four nonfiction works, including his two volumes of memoir, and three novels. MacNeil was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. He lives in New York City. View titles by Robert Macneil
© Author

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