“A Research Paper Worth Reading. I got this from Bargain Books, since I like this kind of thing, and I was pleasantly surprised with how delightful a read it was. Yes, it is research; yes, it is long, and yes, the print is really tiny. But I am not about to become a linguist (or whatever in the world you have to be to be interested in this) and I read it! I actually enjoyed it and learned a great deal.”

barnesandnoble.com

“This is a great book. After reading it you will never think of language in the same way again - and you will probably think of the world, and its future, in a rather different way too.”

theguardian.com

“This is a very detailed work that goes through the rise and fall of mant of the world's most influential languages. The book is filled with a lot of detailed descriptions of the structures of various languages. However, the books is not an easy and fast read, but is very fascinating and enjoyable. ”

sterlinglawyers.com

“It’s just a brilliant, brilliant book explaining how and why Latin became the European language and the ultimate world language, in a way.”

Read Five Books Review

“What a fascinating book, with beguiling sidelights -- the many currents that change language, that change peoples and nations. Told with tenderness, packed with facts, quotations, jests and illustrations, this is a book that earns the great story it tells.”

Read Pop Matters Review

“Everything Ostler writes is a fascinating analytical, narrative journey that mixes linguistics, history, and culture. But, there are instances when the enlightening pit stops are absolutely amazing.”

Read Rocket Clicks Review