David Sacks is author of the Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World. His articles mainly on cultural topics have appeared in the "New York Times Book Review," the "Wall Street Journal "and dozens of magazines. He wrote a 26-part series for the "Ottawa Citizen" on the letters of the alphabet that was received enthusiastically by readers and which he has expanded and developed into Language Visible. Raised in New Jersey, he now lives in Ottawa, Ontario.
"At a time when it has become more important than ever to read
clearly and intelligently in order to dismantle the daily traps of
propaganda, this delightful book lays bare for us, with wit and
wisdom, the very building-blocks of our culture: the mysterious
letters of the alphabet that rule our language and thought."
--Alberto Manguel, author of A History of Reading
"Reading David Sacks's wonderful [book]is like sitting rapt before
the coolest teacher in school. Sacks's excursion through the
alphabet is witty and smart. I was reluctant to finally leave the
classroom."
--Mark Dunn, author of Ella Minnow Pea
"[This book] is distinguished by its remarkably long and broad view
of the topic and its omnivorous sense of fun. ... [A] clear and
appealing discussion. ... [A] dazzlingly diverse array of facts.
... From discussions of the letter A's role in meat grading, bond
rating, student ranking, and punishment for adultery to Z's exotic
associations with Zorro, Sacks makes the history of the alphabet a
joy to read. Recommended for most libraries."
--"Library Journal" (US)
"An always clever -- but rarely too clever -- educational and
entertaining history of the alphabet. A refreshing combination of
erudition and breeziness."
--"Kirkus Reviews
"
"Sacks unfolds the romance and magic of the English alphabet.
Although Sacks writes for non-specialists, he distills an
impressive range of scholarship into his examination of the
alphabet's complex cultural history. This is a delightfully
entertaining and engrossing tale of how the score of roman letters
that arrived in England in the seventh century eventually gave us
everything from the poetry of William Shakespeare to the official
grades used by meat inspectors to evaluate chicken."
--"Booklist
""As fun to read as it is enlightening...Sacks's obsession with
language is contagious, and I can imagine few readers whose lives
would not be enriched by what he calls his 'voyage of disco
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