This is a book about language. Subtitled “the mangling and manipulation of the english language”, Humphreys is more interested in manipulation than mangling, although he has a a decent grump at the latter as well. It’s when he starts discussing the (mis)use of language by business, politicians and journalists that you really feel his passion coming through. A very informative read that helped open my eyes to the tricks and abuses that politicians in particular subject the language to, it’s also very entertaining, filled with anecdotes from the Today programme and beyond.
