When a mysterious surgeon wrote to brilliant lexicographer James Murray offering help in compiling the first Oxford English Dictionary there began one of the most bizarre and intriguing literary friendships in history.
For Dr Minor of Crowthorne, as well as being one of Murray's most valued contributors, was also a homicidal lunatic, confined to Broadmoor Asylum for murder. Constantly plagued by frightening delusions Minor's fragile grip on sanity was only saved by his work for Murray.
The story of the eventual meeting and friendship of these two very different men, and of their remarkable collaboration, is a classic work of literary detection and an enormously enjoyable read.
Contents:
Preface
Chapter 1. Saturday Night in Lambeth Marsh
Chapter 2. The Man Who Taught Latin to Cattle
Chapter 3. The Madness of War
Chapter 4. Gathering Earth's Daughters
Chapter 5. The Big Dictionary Conceived
Chapter 6. The Scholar in Cell Block 2
Chapter 7. Entering the Lists
Chapter 8. Annulated, Art, Brick-tea, Buckwheat
Chapter 9. The Meeting of Minds
Chapter 10. The Unkindest Cut
Chapter 11. Then Only the Monuments
Chapter 12. Postscript
Author's Note
Acknowledgements
Suggestions for Further Reading
Review:You won't read a more enthralling work this year - Independent on Sunday
Absolutely riveting - a tour de force - Will Self, The Times
