Globish

How the English Language Became the World’s Language

By: Robert McCrum

Narrated by: James Langton

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 19th century. Equally unlikely, a colony of that island nation across the Atlantic grows into the military and cultural colossus of the 20th 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 The 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 21st century, writes the author, English + Microsoft = Globish.

©2010 Robert McCrum (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Robert McCrum argues, brilliantly and provocatively, that England's greatest contribution to the world is English." (Malcolm Gladwell, author of the New York Times best seller Blink)

Globlish

A most interesting format for a history of the English speaking world. It is an easy and informative listen. I've enjoyed reading sections at a time rather than reading straight through. Many sections I have repeated time and time again.