The Lexicographer's Dilemma

The Lexicographer's Dilemma by Jack Lynch is a readable and informative work on the evolution of the English language and the age-old feud between prescriptavist grammarians --  those who argue that there is a correct and proper form of the language that should be upheld as the standard -- and the descriptivist grammarians -- those who believe language is constantly shifting in form and style and thus reject the concept of a "proper" English. Lynch is squarely in the latter camp, and argues his case effectively. In the process, he takes the reader through a lively survey of the evolution of the English language and the history of lexicography.

I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in the history of the English language.

-Paul