A delightfully discursive, Bill Bryson-esque & personal journey through the groves & the thickets of the English language, by our foremost scholar of the history & structure of the English language. David Crystal has been described (by the Times Higher Education Supplement) as a sort of 'latter day Dr Johnson', a populist linguist who has promoted the study of the English language in an academic & broadcasting career that has so far spanned 40 years & nearly 100 books. Now, in his first book for Harper Press, he has written an engaging travel book of more general appeal. Inspired by W. G. Sebald's ' The Rings of Saturn' & by Bill Bryson's books, he has combined personal reflections, historical allusions & traveller observations to create a mesmerising (and entertaining) narrative account of his encounters with the English language & its speakers throughout the world -- from Bangor to Bombay & from Stratford to San Francisco. ' By Hook or by Crook' is an attempt to capture the exploratory, seductive, teasing, tantalising nature of language study. As such, it will appeal to the ever -- growing market who like to be entertained as well as instructed.