CHASING THE SUN is an immensely readable and fascinating history of the dictionary, of the urge to set knowledge - in the case, words -in order. Jonathan Green traces the story from the first lexicon created in 2340 BC in Sumeria to the pinnacle of the OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY and today's computer-generated successors of that great masterwork. Throughout he tells the story through the lives of the lexicographers themselves, a diverse and fascinating collection of men obsessed with words and language, men who with ...
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CHASING THE SUN is an immensely readable and fascinating history of the dictionary, of the urge to set knowledge - in the case, words -in order. Jonathan Green traces the story from the first lexicon created in 2340 BC in Sumeria to the pinnacle of the OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY and today's computer-generated successors of that great masterwork. Throughout he tells the story through the lives of the lexicographers themselves, a diverse and fascinating collection of men obsessed with words and language, men who with extraordinary frequency assume a godlike role.
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Add this copy of Chasing the Sun: Dictionary-Makers and the Dictionaries to cart. $2.63, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 1996 by Henry Holt & Co.
Add this copy of Chasing the Sun: Dictionary-Makers and the Dictionaries to cart. $2.63, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1996 by Henry Holt & Co.
Add this copy of Chasing the Sun: Dictionary-Makers and the Dictionaries to cart. $2.63, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1996 by Henry Holt & Co.
Add this copy of Chasing the Sun: Dictionary-Makers and the Dictionaries to cart. $2.63, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1996 by Henry Holt & Co.
Add this copy of Chasing the Sun: Dictionary-Makers and the Dictionaries to cart. $2.69, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Colorado rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES, published 1996 by Henry Holt & Company.
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This item is in overall good condition. Covers and dust jackets are intact but may have minor wear including slight curls or bends to corners as well as cosmetic blemishes including stickers. Pages are intact but may have minor highlighting/ writing. Binding is intact; however, spine may have slight wear overall. Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. Minor shelf wear overall. Please note that all items are donated goods and are in used condition. Orders shipped Monday through Friday! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!
Add this copy of Chasing the Sun: Dictionary-Makers and the Dictionaries to cart. $3.51, very good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1996 by Henry Holt & Co.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Chasing the Sun: Dictionary-Makers and the Dictionaries to cart. $4.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1996 by Henry Holt & Co.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Chasing the Sun: Dictionary-Makers and the Dictionaries to cart. $4.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1996 by Henry Holt & Co.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Chasing the Sun: Dictionary-Makers and the Dictionaries to cart. $4.07, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1996 by Henry Holt & Company.
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Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
It's unfair to be overly harsh in judging this book which in 500-some pages sets out to chronicle the history of the dictionary and lexicography in general and does exactly that. I now no more than I will likely ever need to know about dictionaries and their history. Was some of it interesting? Yes. Was some of it dry as dirt? Yes.
I have read both of Simon Winchester's books on the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary: The Meaning of Everything and The Professor and the Madman and so was hoping that Chasing the Sun might have a similar flavor, but it's one thing to focus on a single dictionary (even if it is as massive as the OED) and quite another to try and chronicle the creation of every dictionary ever.
The book is indexed and would prove an excellent reference for researchers seeking more information on dictionary history, (particularly those of the English language variety) and if you are obsessed with dictionaries or simply really, really want to know everything there is to know about them, the book has potential, but for recreational readers, Chasing the Sun is a dense tome containing history sprinkled here and there with humorous anecdotes, but which for this reader proved to be a slow if somewhat interesting read.
