Synopses & Reviews
Praise for "Robert McCrum argues, brilliantly and provocatively, that England's greatest contribution to the world is English. The empire may be gone. But Globish explains why the language still rules."--Malcolm Gladwell Praise for : "For as long as P.G. Wodehouse is read, this will be the seminal work of reference, the indispensable vade mecum. In other words--as the Master might say--'ripping.' "--John le Carré "McCrum . . . has written a biography that, if the subject were a general or a politician, would be dubbed 'magisterial.' This is a magisterial biography: disinterested, but never detached, and always intriguing. Under the kindly and scholarly tutelage of McCrum, you might want to explore here the Wodehouse genius, the inconsistencies and downright silliness in the man's life."--Frank McCourt, "[An] absorbing and generous biography, which now takes its rightful place as 'the life.' "--Christopher Buckley, "This book is a triumph. Not only should all P. G. Wodehouse fans read it, but it is a masterly picture of twentieth-century history."--A. N. Wilson
Synopsis
It seems impossible: a small island in the North Atlantic, colonized by Rome, then pillaged for hundreds of years by marauding neighbors, becomes the dominant world power in the nineteenth century. Equally unlikely, a colony of that island nation, across the Atlantic, grows into the military and cultural colossus of the twentieth century. How? By the sword, of course; by trade and industrial ingenuity; but principally, and most surprisingly, by the power of their common language. In this provocative and compelling new look at the course of empire, Robert McCrum, coauthor of the best-selling book and television series , shows how the language of the Anglo-American imperium has become the world's lingua franca. In fascinating detail he describes the ever-accelerating changes wrought on the language by the far-flung cultures claiming citizenship in the new hegemony. In the twenty-first century, writes the author, English + Microsoft = Globish.
Synopsis
In this provocative and compelling new look at the course of empire, Robert McCrum, coauthor of the best-selling book and television seriesThe Story of English, shows how the language of the Anglo-American imperium has become the world s lingua franca. In fascinating detail he describes the ever-accelerating changes wrought on the language by the far-flung cultures claiming citizenship in the new hegemony. In the twenty-first century, writes the author, English + Microsoft = Globish. "
Synopsis
In this provocative and compelling new work, the co-author of the bestselling book and television series "The Story of English" shows how English became the language of the world.
Synopsis
How English conquered the world: a argument based on the power of the word.
About the Author
ROBERT McCRUMis the author of six novels and two works of nonfiction: The Story of Englishand My Year Off. He is the literary editor of the Observerand lives in London.