Great for language enthusiasts

Really enjoyable for anyone who likes history or languages. As a teacher of English as a foreign language, it was very interesting to pick out all the influences and words from other languages that have made up English. Long may that continue!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

Proud to be English

At a time when people both here and abroad show complete lack of respect for the UK, this story shows completely why we remain the greatest country on earth.

The author takes us on a journey of words, of language and of history.

From the beautiful, quite incredible tongue of old English, through to the modern day speech, we see the English language's strength and resilience. indeed, there was, and still is, open warfare on our words.

The book is wonderful, and makes me proud

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Highly Recommend

Lively narration on a fascinating topic.
This book will improve your understanding of the world, where it's been, where it's going and how.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Absolutely loved it

Just wish the "chapter" breaks in the audio matched the chapters of the text, rather than the breaks between the audio CDs. Otherwise, it was faultless - engaging story and exceptionally well told.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent book made wonderful by a superb narrator

I came across a CD of this book years ago, but it was narrated by the author, who like most of us, does not possess the narrative skills of Robert Powell. Powell is superb in reciting languages, including Old English, and his brilliance allows the listener to appreciate the book. Bragg’s account of the history of English introduces us to the factors affecting languages and emphasises their importance to nAtions, but it is also a very interesting story in itself. There is much to captivate here, including an account of American English (more faithful, we are old, to older English than the British versions of English) and the influence of Norse and French on modern English. An excellent book and a masterful narration.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The sweeping story of a language

This is a well read presentation of a fascinating and complex subject - the history and development of a language. The reader impressively handles dialectical and historical pronunciations, and deals well with lists of words which are not easy content for an audiobook.

My only real criticism of the book is that the author seems still to believe in the discredited 'dark ages' view of pre-Reformation Europe - even at the cost of obvious inconsistency. After describing how the Catholic Church supposedly rejected the sacral use of any language other than Latin, because Latin was the "preserve of religion", he then describes the use of Latin in international science and communication in exactly the same period, apparently not noticing the discrepancy - and apparently unaware of religious texts in English before this time. The problem is that things like that do make one wonder where else his historical accuracy may be questionable.

But overall it is a very good listen, and the reading is excellent.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Melvyn at his best!

Probably the best commentary on the English language ever. Melvyn Bragg at his best. Anyone who uses English for any reason should read this book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A really interesting exploration

The origins of English. The way English has fit itself to it's users and been manipulated by groups was fascinating from start to finish.
If you like English, etymology or linguistics this is a worthwhile listen

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Great.

Absolutely fascinating. Definitely I will be listening again. Too much to absorb with one reading.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Where's Melvyn?

How disappointing that this wasn't read by Melvyn Bragg. Especially when there are so many references to how he speaks, his accent and the dialect he learned in his childhood. It misses a crucial dimension that would have made listening a far richer experience.
I usually enjoy a book read by it's author more because they never get the stresses wrong and mangle the meaning, but in this case it seemed essential to have been read by the author.

On a technical note, what possible reason is there for having chapters on the audio that don't correspond to the chapters in the book?
Really unhelpful.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!