Spellbound
James Essinger
Reading Time
at 250 WPM4h 14m
The average reader, reading at a speed of 250 WPM, would take 4h 14m to read Spellbound.
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9
days at 30 min/day
254
total minutes
Spellbound
Published
2006
Publisher
Robson Books
Pages
254
ISBN-10
186105906X
Description
Welcome to the illogical, idiosyncratic, outrageous linguistic phenomenon known as the English language. The story of how this ragtag collection of words evolved is a winding tale replete with intriguing accidents and bizarre twists of fate. In this eye-opening, fabulously entertaining book, James Essinger unlocks the mysteries that have confounded linguists and scholars for millennia.From the sophisticated writing systems of the ancient Sumerians through the tongue twisters of Middle English, the popular National Spelling Bee, and the mobile phone text-messaging of today, Spellbound chronicles the fascinating history of English spelling, including insights about the vast number of words English has borrowed from other languages ("orange," "vanilla," and "ketchup," to name a few), and how their meanings differ from country to country. Featuring a lively cast of characters ranging from the fictional to the historically noteworthy (Chaucer, Samuel Johnson, Noah Webster, Shakespeare, Bill Gates), this affectionate tribute to English spelling shows why our whimsical, capricious common language continues to hold us spellbound.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pages are in Spellbound?
This edition of Spellbound has approximately 254 pages. Please note, this is an estimate and the exact page count can vary between hardcover, paperback, and e-book versions.
How long does it take to read Spellbound?
For most readers, Spellbound typically takes between 5h 18m and 3h 32m to complete. This is based on the book's length of approximately 63,500 words and common reading speeds.
Here's a detailed breakdown: • Continuous reading at 250 WPM: approximately 4h 14m of focused reading • Casual reading (30 minutes/day): you could finish in roughly 9 days • Estimated word count: 63,500 words
Your individual reading time will vary based on your personal reading pace, the amount of daily reading time, and your familiarity with the subject matter.
What is the word count of Spellbound?
The estimated word count for Spellbound is approximately 63,500 words. This figure is calculated using industry-standard methods that consider genre-specific word density patterns, typical formatting and layout characteristics, and standard words-per-page ratios for published books.
This is an approximation — actual word count may vary based on font size, formatting, edition, and the presence of illustrations or charts.
Who is the author of Spellbound?
Spellbound was written by James Essinger.
When was Spellbound published?
The publication date for this specific edition is 2006. The original work may have been published on a different date.