«Melvyn Bragg's superb new history of the English language is told as an adventure story, and rightly so. There is much splendid intellectual firepower in this book.»

Andrew Roberts, Spectator

«Concise as well as learned...Melvyn Bragg takes the high road and strides confidently through the origins and growth of English. It gives us an impressive and sage view of the big picture.»

Robert Winder, New Statesman

«Bragg is an expert translator in areas that academics find difficult to popularise...he produces a pithy, accessible narrative.»

Guardian

«This breathless tale of the English language is one of struggle, resilience and triumph»

Irish Times

«Beautifully clear and, indeed, thrilling»

Waterstone's Books Quarterly

«Bragg's approachable account gleams with little gems. It has power and clarity...rewarding.»

Sunday Herald

«Always readable, often thought-provoking, and consistently entertaining.»

Independent

«This is a highly readable, jargon-free treatise on a notoriously prickly subject. Bragg's affection for his subject is infectious. In this he successfully joins a long tradition of gentleman enthusiasts from peppery Dr Johnson to genial James Murray.»

Observer