History of the German Language (Revised Edition)

Rating:
Summary: thorough for beginners, not inaccessable
Review: This book covers all of the main concepts you will need to know when studying history of the German language. It's very organized and was great help to me as I was getting my German degree. It was also the only book I could find on the subject in English at the time (this was 2 years ago) and had to special order it. Also- if you are using "Geschichte der deutschen Sprache" by Peter von Polenz in a class and are struggling with translation you REALLY need the Waterman! It will clarify much of the von Polenz.
If you are looking into getting this book, you're probably interested in specific content, so here is a list of the chapters:
Ch. 1 Indo-European (pg.3-18)
Ch. 2 Germanic (pg. 20-49)
Ch. 3 Old High German Period from Beginnings to 1050 (pg 52- 81)
Ch. 4 Middle High German Period 1050-1350 (pg 83-97)
Ch. 5 Early New High German Period, 1350-1600 (pg 102-135)
Ch. 6 New High German Period 1600-1800 (pg 137-147)
Ch. 7 New High German Period from 1800 (pg 163- 193)
Ch. 8 A Brief Description of the Sounds of German (pg 201-208)
Appendix 1: Plates
Appendix 2: Maps
Bibliography (pg 233-275)
Index
If you are a German studies student this is a must have, but
even if you don't have a background in linguistics and are interested in european history, you are likely to find the Waterman fascinating.

Rating:
Summary: thorough for beginners, not inaccessable
Review: This book covers all of the main concepts you will need to know when studying history of the German language. It's very organized and was great help to me as I was getting my German degree. It was also the only book I could find on the subject in English at the time (this was 2 years ago) and had to special order it. Also- if you are using "Geschichte der deutschen Sprache" by Peter von Polenz in a class and are struggling with translation you REALLY need the Waterman! It will clarify much of the von Polenz.
If you are looking into getting this book, you're probably interested in specific content, so here is a list of the chapters:
Ch. 1 Indo-European (pg.3-18)
Ch. 2 Germanic (pg. 20-49)
Ch. 3 Old High German Period from Beginnings to 1050 (pg 52- 81)
Ch. 4 Middle High German Period 1050-1350 (pg 83-97)
Ch. 5 Early New High German Period, 1350-1600 (pg 102-135)
Ch. 6 New High German Period 1600-1800 (pg 137-147)
Ch. 7 New High German Period from 1800 (pg 163- 193)
Ch. 8 A Brief Description of the Sounds of German (pg 201-208)
Appendix 1: Plates
Appendix 2: Maps
Bibliography (pg 233-275)
Index
If you are a German studies student this is a must have, but
even if you don't have a background in linguistics and are interested in european history, you are likely to find the Waterman fascinating.