The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of The Oxford English Dictionary

Rating:
Summary: Warning! You May Need a Dictionary!
Review: One joke somebody can make about this book is how one needs the OED in order to make sense of its story. I was armed with the Oxford AMERICAN and it didn't suffice (Maybe mine's not "English" enough?) Such is the author''s indulgence with "recondite" and "sesquipedalian" words. In this sense, Winchester is truly a British writer -- haughty and verbose -- Uuhg! Sure, I get it -- if you're going to write about a dictionary, you may as well use "lexical" words. But the weight of it all gets tiring after awhile. And for some, it may prove to stymie the drama. The question remains -- Why didn't he just include a glossary beyond the chapter beginnings? Considering the subject matter, it would've been appropriate! I agree that the self-serving Postscript, author's notes, acknowledgements, etc, etc. should have been cut or condensed drastically -- Vainity will get you no where. Still, in all fairness, the writer did some remarkable research and there are insights to gain into the making of what's (admittedly) the greatest dictionary. Best read as history not as story. As for the illustrations -- they suck! Couldn't they get a better artist? Instead of childish drawings, why didn't the editor include actual photos of the participants? According to the book, there were a quite a few to be had. In short, still an octave or two better than most books flooding the market.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling reading for the curious.
Review: A wonderful story full of personal tragedy, literary passion, unique friendship and how this is inexorably attached to a timeless classic in the annals of litrature- the Oxford English Dictionary. I found this story captivating, and ironic in how a schitzophrenic murder was so instrumental in the compilation of the exhaustive dictionary mentioned above. This story proves the point that truth is often more strange than fiction. Winchester takes the reader on a journey through more than half a century of one of the most unique relationships that happened during the turn of the century. One cannot help being drawn into the lives of two very special and unique individuals, Dr. Murray and Dr. Minor.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Who would have thought that the story of how an enormous dictionary that took decades to compile could be so fascinating. This is a great and easy read that will open up the strangely compelling world of words.

Rating:
Summary: Is there an editor in the house
Review: Interesting and well told tale interspersed with the kind of words that warm this bibliophile's heart. However, Mr Winchester falls apart near the end of the book when he starts spouting off about mental diseases. He crashes to the ground by toadying to the insufferable modern convention of wiping everyone's nose. The widow, the son's of the victim, the victim, women and other intrests who were not made part of the process... Telling about acquiring a printing plate, his mother's name.... Get an editor and obey! What started out as a good book that had some great moments degenerated very badly.

Rating:
Summary: Overblown
Review: I agree that this material was enough for a magazine article, no more. I guess we're to see more of this over-inflated article-into-book stuff. Oh well. Winchester is a thick, witless writer who needs to take better care with his use of words.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating book lacking focus.
Review: I was glad I read this book, because I learned so much about a truly incredible publication that I think most of us take for granted. However, I couldn't tell whether the author was more interested in the story of the making of the dictionary, or the sad life of Dr. Minor. In addition, Simon Winchester throws in obscure words, uses sanctimonious language and phrases that make it appear that he wishes HE wrote the dictionary. This is very British and somewhat nauseating. However, I would recommend this book highly for it's historical value.

Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Audio!
Review: I have just finished listening to the unabridged audio of The Professor and the Madman. A great listening experience! What a great way to have a wonderful story come alive! Have the author read it to you. The interview at the end between the author and the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary is an extra bonus. I cannot recommend this audio highly enough. Perfect for that next car ride.

Rating:
Summary: An engrossing tale.
Review: I found this book wonderful,captivating. The author should win a prize. The book is listed as non-fiction, so why the disclaimer "this is a work of fiction, etc..." on the copyright page? Besides, the author has given a detailed, though not sesquipedalian, list of acknowledgements. I refer to the paperback edition.

Rating:
Summary: A Must-read For the Year
Review: A poignant, engaging, personal, uplifting, strange, and sad book. Logophiles and friends of the Oxford English Dictionary will find this an unforgettable work.

Rating:
Summary: Intersting but not captivating
Review: Though I found this book to be educational on several levels, I found it to suffer from its own case of schizophrenia. I was hard-pressed to understand if this was a book about the Oxford English Dictionary, or Schzophrenia, or the relationship between two great minds. While I understand that all three were related, I felt that a central theme was, somehow, lacking. Though I learned much from this story, I feel the lack of enthusiasm in the writing will not allow this knowledge to linger in my mind for long.