Globish: How the English Language became the Worlds Language

McCrum argues, brilliantly and provocatively, that Englands greatest contribution to the world is English. The empire may be gone but Globish explains why the language still rules Malcolm Gladwell Terrifically interesting Wall Street Journal Go anywhere in the world today and youll see or hear English in some form. It may not necessarily be the Queens English that youre hearing, but it is, nevertheless, a form of universally recognised English - it is Globish. In his wonderfully witty and informative new book, Robert McCrum explores the curious history, vivacity and endurance of English and ponders why, while British and American empires have waxed and waned, the English language, freer from its moorings like never before, has quietly taken over the world. McCrum leaps with polymathic abandon from one discipline to another: lexicography, history, demography, linguistics, reportage Jonathan Meades, Daily Telegraph Erudite, riveting, very funny, fascinating, astute, intrepid New Statesman-Impressive, crisply readable. McCrum covers the ground briskly and intelligently, studding his account with pleasing details Financial Times