The Surgeon of Crowthorne

A Tale of Murder,Madness and the Oxford English Dictionary

By Simon Winchester

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Average Rating: (See all 3 reviews) Format: Paperback, 224 pages, New edition Edition Published In: United Kingdom, 03 June 1999 Quantity Available: 32 Ships within 5-9 days W.C. Minor was one of the keenest volunteers involved in the making of the Oxford English Dictionary. What the OED's editor, James Murray didn't realise was that he was also a millionaire American Civil War surgeon turned lunatic, imprisoned in Broadmoor Asylum for murder. Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd ISBN: 0140271287 EAN: 9780140271287 Dimensions: 19.0 x 128.0 x 1.0 centimeters

Simon Winchester is one of those authors who writes with a kind of slow deliberation and purposeful use of words. I enjoyed this book for the little details he uncovered, perhaps more than the broad history he recounted. A well developed book. I have lent this book to so many people that gave it back without having enjoyed it / or finished it because of its slow pace that I realise it is not for everyone - I enjoyed because of its attention to detail.Simon Winchester is one of those authors who writes with a kind of slow deliberation and purposeful use of words. I enjoyed this book for the little details he uncovered, perhaps more than the broad history he recounted. A well developed book. I have lent this book to so many people that gave it back without having enjoyed it / or finished it because of its slow pace that I realise it is not for everyone - I enjoyed because of its attention to detail.

A powerful biography about the amazing story of the Oxford English Dictionary. Well worth a read if you are into astounding non-fiction. Flows well, easy to read, and great for your knowledge bank! William Minor has huge character, and jumps out at the reader as something amazing. Well worth a read!

Highlighting both human triumph and tragedy, this is an absolutely fascinating read and proves the maxim "truth is stranger than fiction". Written in a compelling style, the book traces the history of the compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary and the life of one of its major contributors. You will never look at a dictionary the same way again!