By Hook Or By Crook

David Crystal has published over 90 books on the subject of the English language, including two encyclopaedias, 'The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Language' and The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of the English Language'. His book, 'The Stories of English' (2004) was a bestseller for Penguin. He has lectured in linguistics all his life, first at Bangor, then at Reading and is now Honorary Professor of Linguistics at the University of Wales. He has also been a consultant, contributor or presenter on many radio and TV series (including 'The Story of English').

'Every page of Crystal's book contains some linguistic curiosity or flight of fancy. He should go walkie-talkie more often. Another 100 books of this kind would not be too many.' Financial Times '[An] excellent, discursive new book [by] one of England's greatest living language commentators!Crystal's accessible and lively style belies his academic rigour.' The New Statesman '[Crystal] is more than just the Dr Johnson of our age, a linguistic expert who never takes a day off from considering language in all its aspects, and even hears sheep bleat in a Welsh accent.' The Sunday Herald '"By Hook or By Crook" is autobiographical-whimsical-quizzical-oddsandendsical.' Times Higher Education Supplement 'The book reads like a donnish Bill Bryson, a Bryson possessed with a maniacal passion for the Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language! This is stream of consciousness linguistics, a pied-piper-led dance down the byways of language!a compelling guide.' Independent 'splendidly discursive!This is a man so in love with words that he will happily hold up fellow motorists, and miss crucial turnings.' Independent on Sunday 'Crystal proves an entertaining companion!It is pleasant to ramble with him along the byways of language.' The Tablet Praise for 'The Stories of English': 'A marvellous book!for anyone who loves the English language(s) it will be a treasure-house.' Philip Pullman 'Reads like an adventure story. Which, of course, it is.' Roger McGough 'Rejoices in dialects, argots and cants!enlightening -- in a word, excellent.' Sunday Times 'A spirited celebration!Crystal gives the story of English a new plot.' Guardian 'Simply the best introductory history of the English language family that we have. The plan of the book is ingenious, the writing lively, the exposition clear and the scholarly standard uncompromisingly high.' J.M.Coetzee