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The Professor and the Madman

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The Professor and the Madman

Written by: Simon Winchester
Narrated by: Simon Winchester
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About this listen

 Hidden within the rituals of the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary is a fascinating mystery. Professor James Murray was the distinguished editor of the OED project. Dr. William Chester Minor, an American surgeon who had served in the Civil War, was one of the most prolific contributors to the dictionary, sending thousands of neat, hand-written quotations from his home. After numerous refusals from Minor to visit his home in Oxford, Murray set out to find him. It was then that Murray would finally learn the truth about Minor - that, in addition to being a masterly wordsmith, he was also an insane murderer locked up in Broadmoor, England's harshest asylum for criminal lunatics. The Professor and the Madman is the unforgettable story of the madness and genius that contributed to one of the greatest literary achievements in the history of English letters.©1998 Simon Winchester (P)1999 HarperCollins Publishers Inc., All Rights Reserved, Harper Audio, A Division of HarperCollins Publishers Art & Literature Authors Europe Great Britain Historical True Crime England Crime Civil War War United Kingdom

What the critics say

"The linguistic detective story of the decade." (New York Times Magazine)

What listeners say about The Professor and the Madman

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Profile Image for Jeremy C.

ITS SO BAD

so bad don't read this book do yourself a favour and just read dictionaries only never books

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Profile Image for Ashley G.

Thumbs up from this word nerd! :-)

So happy to see books on this topic being offered - I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book. Simon Winchester told a fascinating story of murder and madness. He also highlighted the painstaking efforts sustained for over half a century that were involved in the creation of the English Oxford Dictionary. Simon Winchester’s voice is pleasing and easy to listen to. A great audio book all around. Thanks so much!

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Profile Image for Roberta W

A fascinating read!

I finished this book months ago, but it feels like yesterday... the story is that memorable. If you think you have an idea how the original dictionaries were created, think again. This book will blow your mind. It does move a bit slow at times, but I could put up with it, given the surprises that it contains. There are lovely word interludes, giving insight to how the definitions of certain words were created. And, yes, there IS a madman at the centre of the story.

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Profile Image for Mentally Guitarded

Proper Heavy

As an artist, I often juggle the balance between torture and talent. This novel encapsulates it completely. It left me felling educated, humbled and appreciative.

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Profile Image for anne deleurme

best yet thank you simon Winchester

great always enjoy your narrations - like this book better than a crak in the edge of the world (previously my first favorite)

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Profile Image for celia gjosund

just so interesting , full of so many facts

so interesting. i fid not know how long it has taken to write the Oxford dictionary, and the complex methods of collecting words. the dtory od Dr Miner just gives another fascinating input for Oxford. excellent resd

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