The Adventure of English

by Melvyn Bragg
The Adventure of English cover
Good Books rating 3.67
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  • ID: 3693
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781444718683
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-12-21
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Adventure of English by Melvyn Bragg is a captivating exploration of the English language's evolution. It traces the language from its early days as a minor Germanic dialect to its current status as a global lingua franca, influenced by power, religion, and trade. Bragg's infectious enthusiasm makes the story of English come alive, showing how it has been shaped by the lives of ordinary people throughout history. This book is not just about grammar and vocabulary; it's a tale of human connection and cultural exchange. Bragg highlights how English has absorbed words and phrases from countless other languages, reflecting its democratic and ever-changing nature. Whether you're a language enthusiast or simply curious about the history of English, this book offers a compelling narrative that will leave you with a new appreciation for the language we use every day.

Reviews
BookBrowse · 2025-10-18
positive 4.50

The book is described as gripping and entertaining, with a narrative that keeps the reader engaged. The reviewer appreciates how the book highlights the resilience of the English language.

The BookBrowse reviewer finds 'The Adventure of English' to be a gripping and entertaining read. They appreciate how the book highlights the resilience of the English language, bouncing back from various threats and invasions. The narrative is engaging, making the history of the language accessible and enjoyable. The reviewer also notes that Bragg's personal touches, such as his experiences growing up in Cumbria, add a unique and relatable dimension to the book. Overall, it's a consistently entertaining exploration of the English language's journey.

Quick quotes

    It's quite a gripping story - just as one thinks English is going to be finally squashed by an invading language, up it bounces as right as rain, not just ...

    Bragg's affection for his subject is infectious.

    The book is always readable, often thought-provoking and consistently entertaining.

Goodreads · 2025-10-18
positive 4.00

The book is praised for its enthralling story of power, religion, and trade, as well as its focus on the people who shaped the language. The reviewer finds it a joy to read due to its fluent and scholarly yet conversational style.

This Goodreads reviewer highlights how 'The Adventure of English' is not just a history of the language but also a story of the people who influenced it. They appreciate the book's ability to weave together elements of power, religion, and trade into a compelling narrative. The reviewer also notes the book's fluent and scholarly style, which makes it a joy to read. The conversational tone adds to its accessibility, making complex linguistic history engaging and enjoyable for a wide audience.

Quick quotes

    The Adventure of English is not only an enthralling story of power, religion and trade, but also the story of people, and how their day-to-day lives shaped and ...

    This is certainly what makes the book such a joy to read.

    Bragg's writing is fluent and scholarly but with a conversational tone running throughout.

The Guardian · John Mullan · 2003-11-15
mixed 2.50

The reviewer appreciates the engaging narrative but desires more authoritative depth and less focus on vocabulary. They find the book's approach to the evolution of English language somewhat lacking in thoroughness.

John Mullan from The Guardian finds Melvyn Bragg's writing compelling but feels the book could benefit from more authoritative insights. He notes that while the narrative is engaging, it sometimes lacks the depth and thoroughness he expected, focusing too much on vocabulary rather than the broader historical and cultural context. Mullan's critique suggests that the book's strength lies in its storytelling, but it falls short in providing a comprehensive understanding of the language's evolution. Despite this, he acknowledges Bragg's ability to make the subject accessible and interesting to a wide audience.

Quick quotes

    The Adventure of English by Melvyn Bragg leaves John Mullan wanting more authority and less vocabulary.

    Bragg's writing is compelling, but the book sometimes lacks the depth and thoroughness one might expect.

    The narrative is engaging, but it focuses too much on vocabulary rather than the broader historical and cultural context.

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