Words and their meanings
by Aldous Huxley 
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An argument as timely as it is timeless, Aldous Huxley's Words and Their Meanings argues the significance and power of words. A less well-known work originally published by The Ward Ritchie Press in 1940, Huxley's essay arrived at the end of the Great Depression and coincided with U.S. entry into WWII, a time when global relations were heavily impacted by the craft and manipulation of language. Words and Their Meanings was selected as one of the Western Books of 1940, which was a celebration show more and recognition of fine printing. Huxley wrote that "words are magical in the way they affect the minds of those who use them" while displaying his insight and proficiency with language. He blends accessible elements of linguistic theory, semiotics and philosophy with his erudite style. Alvin Lustig is recognized for introducing principles of modern art to graphic design, with contributions to book design, interior design, and typography. His abstract style and innovative approach to typeface design became a trademark of titles published by New Directions Publishing. RIT Press presents a privately printed, limited edition facsimile of this title. This fine edition has been produced in partnership with More Vang, Alexandria, Virginia and designed byAlvin Lustig. He is recognized for introducing principles of modern art to graphic design, with contributions to book design, interior design, and typography. ALDOUS HUXLEY was a novelist, poet, and philosopher who relocated from England to the U.S. in 1937. He lived in southern California where he initially worked as a Hollywood screenwriter, later achieving success with his short stories, poetry, essays, and novels, especially Brave New World (1932). show lessTags
Member Reviews
Words do not embody their meanings, especially for abstract words,"...such words as 'justice,' 'science,' 'society'...'beauty,' 'goodness,' 'spirit,'." Meanings are attached to words. Pay attention to the meanings attached, because if one doesn't, absurd assertions about truth will result, as will misunderstandings and misrepresentations.
In Words and Their Meanings, Aldous Huxley argues, “Words and the meanings of words are not matters merely for the academic amusement of linguists and logisticians, or for the aesthetic delight of poets; they are matters of the profoundest ethical significance to every human being” (pg. 32). As Jon Budington writes in his foreword, “In the spring of 1940, much of the world had ‘progressed’ from a war of words to a war of arms – a point Huxley notes…As this foreword is writing, in a time rife with accusations of fake news and claims to alternative facts, Huxley’s text is well worth revisiting” (pg. 9).
This book first appeared from the Ward Ritchie Press in a limited run during 1940 and has since been out of print. RIT show more Press revives this work from the publisher of Brave New World with a design by Alvin Lustig, who is recognized for introducing principles of modern art to graphic design, with contributions to book design, interior design, and typography. His abstract style and innovative approach to typeface design became a trademark of titles published by New Directions Publishing. A must-own for those interested in the history of linguistic determinism and the work of Charles S. Morris and George Herbert Mead, who influenced Huxley’s ideas, as well as those who appreciate the art of book design. show less
This book first appeared from the Ward Ritchie Press in a limited run during 1940 and has since been out of print. RIT show more Press revives this work from the publisher of Brave New World with a design by Alvin Lustig, who is recognized for introducing principles of modern art to graphic design, with contributions to book design, interior design, and typography. His abstract style and innovative approach to typeface design became a trademark of titles published by New Directions Publishing. A must-own for those interested in the history of linguistic determinism and the work of Charles S. Morris and George Herbert Mead, who influenced Huxley’s ideas, as well as those who appreciate the art of book design. show less
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The Works of Aldous Huxley
49 works; 1 member
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285+ Works 104,668 Members
Aldous Huxley was born on July 26, 1894, in Surrey, England, into a distinguished scientific and literary family; his grandfather was the noted scientist and writer, T.H. Huxley. Following an eye illness at age 16 that resulted in near-blindness, Huxley abandoned hope of a career in medicine and turned instead to literature, attending Oxford show more University and graduating with honors. While at Oxford, he published two volumes of poetry. Crome Yellow, his first novel, was published in 1927 followed by Antic Hay, Those Barren Leaves, and Point Counter Point. His most famous novel, Brave New World, published in 1932, is a science fiction classic about a futuristic society controlled by technology. In all, Huxley produced 47 works during his long career, In 1947, Huxley moved with his family to southern California. During the 1950s, he experimented with mescaline and LSD. Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell, both works of nonfiction, were based on his experiences while taking mescaline under supervision. In 1959, Aldous Huxley received the Award of Merit for the Novel from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He died on November 22, 1963. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Aldous Huxley has a Legacy Library. Legacy libraries are the personal libraries of famous readers, entered by LibraryThing members from the Legacy Libraries group.
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