The Story of English is the extraordinary tale of the origins and development of the English language. Two thousand years ago English was confined to a handful of savage tribes on the shores of north-west Europe; today, in one form or another, it is spoken by a billion people around the world. More widely scattered, written and spoken than any other language in history, English has become a global phenomenon. Exploring its amazing success, from its beginnings to the end of the twentieth century, The Story of English - a prelude to Robert McCrum#x19;s GLOBISH - is an essential companion for student and general reader alike. #x18;A first-rate introduction to one of the most fascinating of subjects#x19; New York Times#x18;a wonderful source for those even half-interested in the language#x19; - Glasgow Herald#x18;makes old-style language histories look rather like the Book of Common Prayer#x19;#x18;a counterblast to the reactionary gurus of grammar#x19; The Times#x18;swift and fascinating#x19; Chicago Tribune.