What's in a Surname? by David Mckie
And some Rymer, Brocklebank, Stolbof offer a hint of something just a little more exotic or esoteric. All are grist to the mill for David McKie who, in Whats in a Surname?, sets off on a journey around Britain to find out how such appellations have evolved and what they tell us about ourselves.
David McKie's incredibly detailed research and his diamond-sharp prose make this book a delight, full of wisdom and fun* Simon Hoggart *
We are all slaves to our surnames. There is no escape from them. Be they grand or humble, David McKie sees behind every one a trail of genealogy and history, wealth and poverty, celebrity and shame. Names are the nation's most secretive record, our island still in code. It is brilliantly revealed in this book. * Simon Jenkins *
Endlessly entertaining ... [McKie] buzzes like a bee from source to source, collecting all the sweetest things. * Craig Brown, The Mail on Sunday *
[A] delightful book ... [McKie] remains throughout both a beguiling and erudite guide. * Andrew Holgate, The Sunday Times *
A book of great zest and interest ... wonderful eruptions of bare lists of strange or silly names, beguiling anecdotes, and interesting titbits ... McKie has a whimsical cast of mind and a fine sense of humour. * Sam Leith, The Guardian *
We are all slaves to our surnames. There is no escape from them. Be they grand or humble, David McKie sees behind every one a trail of genealogy and history, wealth and poverty, celebrity and shame. Names are the nation's most secretive record, our island still in code. It is brilliantly revealed in this book. * Simon Jenkins *
Endlessly entertaining ... [McKie] buzzes like a bee from source to source, collecting all the sweetest things. * Craig Brown, The Mail on Sunday *
[A] delightful book ... [McKie] remains throughout both a beguiling and erudite guide. * Andrew Holgate, The Sunday Times *
A book of great zest and interest ... wonderful eruptions of bare lists of strange or silly names, beguiling anecdotes, and interesting titbits ... McKie has a whimsical cast of mind and a fine sense of humour. * Sam Leith, The Guardian *
David McKie formerly worked for the Guardian as a political reporter, deputy editor, chief leader writer and author of the 'Elsewhere' and 'Smallweed' columns. His much-praised account of a Victorian conman, Jabez: The Rise and Fall of a Victorian Rogue, was shortlisted for the Whitbread Biography Award. He has also written such widely acclaimed books as Great British Bus Journeys and McKie's Gazetteer.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781847946942 |
| ISBN 10 | 1847946941 |
| Title | What's in a Surname? |
| Author | David Mckie |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Cornerstone |
| Year published | 2013-08-29 |
| Number of pages | 304 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |