The meaning of everything : the story of the Oxford English dictionary / Simon Winchester

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2003. 2nd edition. Hardcover. Near fine cloth copy in a very good if slightly edge-nicked and dust-toned dust wrapper, now mylar-sleeved. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description: xxv, 260 pages: illustrations, portraits; 23 cm. Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 251-253) and index. Contents: Taking the measure of it all -- The construction of the pigeon-holes -- The general officer commanding -- Battling with the undertow -- Pushing through the untrodden forest -- So heavily goes the chariot -- The hermit and the murderer--and Hereward Thimbleby Price -- From take to turn-down--and then, triumphal valediction. Subjects: Murray, James A. H. (James Augustus Henry) 1837-1915. Oxford English dictionary. English language Lexicography History 19th century. Lexicographers Great Britain; Biography. Encyclopedias and dictionaries History and criticism. Dictionaries as Topic. Genre: Biography. History. Illustrated. Summary: Traces the history of the Oxford English Dictionary from its earliest inception through its long path to completion, describes the process of creating a dictionary, and includes anecdotes about its creators and their work.