Alpha Beta

by JohnMan (Author), JohnMan (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2000

  $20.60

  Praise for Alpha Beta This book comes at the perfect moment as we rediscover the importance in early reading of cracking the alphabetic code. The story of how that code came into being is a fascinating one, and Man is the ideal writer to tell it. Times Educational Supplement A richly absorbing exploration, from B.C. to PCs, of the evolution of the most fundamental characters of our cultural history, the alphabet we so much take for granted. John Man writes with a compellingly restless curiosity and immediacy. The ever surprising, exotically detailed narrative in his informative book makes it as undryly enjoyable as a successful archaelogical dig of one of Alan Moorehead s colorful histories of African exploration. David Grambs, author of The Describer s Dictionary and The Endangered English Dictionary Text that is crisp, taut, and as clear as a bell...A fascinating story with many a beguiling subplot along the way. New Scientist Letter perfect the best histories and mysteries of our ABC s! Jeff McQuain, author of Never Enough Words and Power Language

• Used

  Paperback
  2009

  $4.00

  The idea behind the alphabet - that language with all its wealth of meaning can be recorded with a few meaningless signs - is an extraordinary one. So extraordinary, in fact, that it has occurred only once in human history: in Egypt about 4000 years ago. Alpha Beta follows the emergence of the western alphabet as it evolved into its present form, contributing vital elements to our sense of identity along the way. The Israelites used it to define their God, the Greeks to capture their myths, the Romans to display their power. And today, it seems on the verge of yet another expansion through the internet. Tracking the alphabet as it leaps from culture to culture, John Man weaves discoveries, mysteries and controversies into a story of fundamental historical significance.