Lincoln Barnett (1909–1979)

I had loved similar Life books from the 1960s/1970s, such as the World We Live In and The Sea Around Us.

How did I miss this? This was a similar volume dealing with all aspects of Darwin's works and evolution. It's written in simple, YA-style prose about genetics, heredity, natural selection, migration, symbiosis, divergence and diversity .

BTW, check out that cover as well as illustrations throughout the book. The paintings may be dark, the color photos crude, but all are beautiful.

The subtitle tells us that this is 'The Story of English from Its Obscure Beginnings to Its Present Eminence'. Lincoln Barnett tells us this story in very readable prose that is meant for the general audience and he certainly succeeded in capturing my interest.The book gives us a great deal of the history of language in general and a great deal of the history of England in order to explain the origins of what he calls the 'great river of English'. Even though scholars have modified their show more views in the nearly fifty years since 'Treasure' was written it is still a good introduction to the subject of 'Where did English come from?' The last chapter, in which Barnett skewered the loosening of standards in the teaching of English and deplored the proliferation of jargon in all areas of government and academia, left me thinking that we haven't improved much, if any, in these areas. show less

This is a beautifully illustrated book, especially the part about dinosaurs, that I couldn't stop looking at as a child. My daughter finds it fascinating as well; however, scientifically it is well out of date.

Many years ago when I had just graduated from college with a degree in English and a head stuffed full of Shakespeare and such, I taught school. My students were all way below average - some couldn't even read and write - and in the 9th grade! I had no training in special education or other areas that would be appropriate for them. I finally gave up on the school material and used this book (selectively) as my daily text. The kids really enjoyed it, and I hope they learned a little show more something. I remember one night at a PTA gathering a huge man came up to me and said, "Are you the teacher who has been teaching my son about dinosaurs and such?" I gulped, and, fearing for my life, said I was. Instead of the violence I was expecting, he shook my hand and thanked me. This is a fine book, and it got me through a very difficult year. show less