Jack Lynch Livres

Updated and expanded from one of the most popular grammar sites on the web, this book provides a modern guide to English usage for the 21st century. With topics arranged alphabetically and written in an enjoyable and readable tone, The English Language: A User’s Guide will help students and writers understand the nature of the language, explaining the 'why' of the rules as well as what constitutes good grammar and style. Going beyond the prescriptive wrong /right examples, Jack Lynch includes examples of weak/strong, good/better, disputed/preferred, and informal/formal usage.

"Knowledge is of two kinds," said Samuel Johnson in 1775. "We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it." Today we think of Wikipedia as the source of all information, the ultimate reference. Yet it is just the latest in a long line of aggregated knowledge--reference works that have shaped the way we've seen the world for centuries. You Could Look It Up chronicles the captivating stories behind these great works and their contents, and the way they have influenced each other. From The Code of Hammurabi, the earliest known compendium of laws in ancient Babylon almost two millennia before Christ to Pliny's Natural History; from the 11th-century Domesday Book recording land holdings in England to Abraham Ortelius's first atlas of the world; from Samuel Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language to The Whole Earth Catalog to Google, Jack Lynch illuminates the human stories and accomplishment behind each, as well as its enduring impact on civilization. In the process, he offers new insight into the value of knowledge.

Exploring the evolution of the dictionary, this book delves into the lives of its passionate compilers, from dedicated scholars to dubious charlatans. It highlights the fascinating stories behind the creation of dictionaries, showcasing the blend of obsession, genius, and sometimes deception that shaped these essential linguistic tools. The illustrations complement the narrative, providing a rich visual context to the historical journey of dictionary-making.

Focusing on the eighteenth-century British perspective, the book delves into how the Renaissance was perceived during the Age of Elizabeth and the Age of Johnson. Jack Lynch examines the cultural and intellectual shifts that shaped these views, revealing the complexities of historical interpretation and the influence of earlier eras on contemporary thought. Through this exploration, Lynch highlights the interplay between history, literature, and national identity in shaping British culture.

Exploring the debates on public deception in eighteenth-century Britain, Jack Lynch examines how forgery and fraud reveal the underlying principles that shaped societal understanding. He delves into critical philosophical issues related to fraud, highlighting its connection to key values of the time, such as evidence, perception, memory, and the interplay between art and life. This analysis also addresses historicism and human motivation, providing a comprehensive view of how these themes influenced British culture during the period.