The Dictionary People: LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2024

I have no doubt that this book is fascinating, well written, informative and entertaining. That is why I order it! However...I was not at all amused at the fact that the brand new book arrived with a dust cover damaged in two places. What clods packed this?? Back it goes. Shame on you, Amazon, for the thoughtless, cack-handed packing of this brand new book.

What might at first suggest a dull read by a word nerd, you ‘ll be surprised. It is a fascinating read and I loved it, so much so that I then read all two volumes of Joseph Wright’s biography in compiling the English Dialect Dictionary, which is equally fascinating. Both dictionaries are the results of heroic effort. Outstanding contribution to the way we communicate.

This is witty, enquiring, scholarly - an account of those who identified the first citing of words for the first Oxford English Dictionary, and those who edited their contributions, written by an enthusiast, and full of characters - murderers, cannibals, suffragettes, Marx’s daughter, autodidacts...

Its Oxford setting.

A fascinating book providing pen-pictures and the occasional photograph of the many dedicated women and men who contributed to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).

Anyone who loves words and enjoys reading will surly enjoy this book about the lives of some of the many contributors of words to the OED. Affectionately written by a lady who knows so much about her subject and communicates her obsession with words in a lively and entertaining way. Highly recommended.

The book was a late gift so the perfect condition was important also delivered quickly in timefor Christmas,

This is a fascinating book about the volunteers who submitted examples of the historic usage of English words in response to the appeals of the early editors of the OED for help. They included a number of lunatics one of whom was a murderer and many other interesting individuals. Sarah Ogilvie has had an interesting career having studied computer science and linguistics, been an editor of the OED herself and been part of Amazon’s team that developed the Kindle. The book is slightly marred by her tendency to go into flights of fictional historical narrative and an, I suppose inevitable, element of wokery but I should thoroughly recommend this book to anybody interested in historical quirks and the English language.

There is nothing I disliked in this super(b)-fast brilliantly written and deeply researched book about a colossal project named the Oxford English Dictionary. This book is a "must" for every English-language reader, student, researcher or just one who is looking for an excursion into the depths of English lexicography. Kudos, Ms Ogilvie !!! And please, we want more!!!!!!

Well writen account of many of the quirky people that contributed to the making of the OED, affectionately including the most interesting of their characters. The book brings academic obsession into normal life, showing how everyone has the potential to do something special.

Historically interesting description of the unsuspected way too the English language’s most famous dictionary was created. A worthwhile read.

Those interested in the English language, dictionaries, and such will enjoy this look back on those widely scattered people who assisted in the monumental effort to create the OED.A book such as this is great for picking up random information and, at times, nicely stated thoughts. For example, most of us simply would state we are too busy to take on a newly offered task. From the late 19th century, Charlotte Yonge refuses by saying "...but occupations thickened on me so that I could not keep up."A nice guide to further reading is provided at book's end.

Sara Ogilvie is a gifted storyteller. She brings to life a group of fabulously interesting, sometimes quirky, unsung heroes. Many of the dictionary people's efforts, even the lesser known, were both heroic and monumental in their dedication to the dictionary. Ms. Ogilvie gives them a proper place in the long history of the Oxford English Dictionary. An absolute joy to read.