Tells the tale of the making of the Oxford English dictionary and the monumental effort it demanded. Interesting the way they went about it, but the part of the story I was most intrigued by was Minor’s life and the suggested events that drove him to his madness. I couldn’t help but notice the similarities of his symptoms to those of today’s alien abductees. Even more intriguing was the connection of his duties as a doctor in the Civil War to the cause of his insanity. This story prompted me to take a look at some of suggested readings mentioned at the end of the book. I am looking forward to finding out more on the subject of the OED and the making of other dictionaries and related works. Enjoyable , different, liked it!

This book was very interesting and I learned a great deal about the OEC. However, in the middle it was quite slow and became somewhat repetative.

This book is a close kin to the Winchester’s “The Meaning of Everything”. Both books deal with the compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary. In “The Meaning…” allusion is made to a particularly productive “volunteer” who was most prodigious in his contributions to the work of the dictionary’s authors. At a very early date, James Murray, the father of the OEC, wondered about this contributor who was making such a massive contribution, frequently send virtual parcels of written work to the Scriptorium where the work of the compilation was being done. Without saying more about the identity of this mystery contributor, this book, like the others of his works that I have read, is extremely engaging. His subject, which isn’t necessarily riveting per se, is worked with in such a way that the book becomes interesting and even engrossing. As always, Winchester causes us to give our own dictionary a work-out the likes of which it usually doesn’t get. But then what does it profit a reader if he or she has a dictionary and never has cause to use it?

This is not a fair rating, because I didn't finish the book. I love the OED, so I expected I would like this book, but the writing was so dry and so lacking in plot that it gave more pain than pleasure to dog my way through it. I gave up after the first chapter.

7 subject headings...something for everyone -those interested in: - American Civil War - origin of words - the making of the OED, - psychopatholgy - the unlikely genius of madmen

A glimpse into the lives of two key individuals - an insane American and of the chief editors of the OED - who made valuable, lifelong contributions to the dictionary. Winchester provides great insight into the little know history of this monumental work. Who knew the OED could be so entertaining?!

a proposed additional title for Winchester fans for June 2010

A true story that reads like a mystery, it is full of obsessed characters. The result? The OED!

One of the most interesting books I have ever read. Tells the history of an individual, a time, and the amazing creation (over 70 years and four editors) of the Oxford English Dictionary.

The history of the compliation of the English Dictionary and the background of those who helped create it.