Changes

''The Story of English'' is based on a lot of fascinating history. Unfortunately, not only does it not have enough space to do its material justice, it wastes precious pages trying to cram in too much disparate information. Describing the journey of the English language is a laudable idea, but this slender volume lacks both the space and the focus to properly carry it out. The result is as odd and mixed as the English language itself. I’m sad to admit it, but this book, while well-intentioned, is just a muddled series of factoids too nerdy for an average reader but too basic for an English linguist. Yes, I enjoyed parts of it, but its wasted potential ultimately left me frustrated.