Lane Greene
Lane Greene writes the Johnson language column at the Economist. He speaks nine languages.
Books by Lane Greene
“I love language and languages but have always been quite confused by grammar. Why are some things allowed in English and others not? This book finally helped it all fall into place. You’ll also find out lots of interesting facts about words. Did you know that buxom used to mean obedient? Or that it’s OK to say ‘Can I?’ rather than ‘May I?'” Read more...
Editors’ Picks: Favourite Nonfiction of 2018
Sophie Roell, Journalist
Interviews with Lane Greene
Grammar Books That Prove What They Preach, recommended by Lane Greene
Most grammar books say ‘do this, and that’s that.’ But who says? How do they know? Real rules are grounded in the facts of actual standard usage. Here are five grammar books that show their work, telling you not only what to do but why, and how they know. Accept nothing less.
The best books on Language and the Mind, recommended by Lane Greene
Does the world look different in other languages? Are there words that cannot be translated? Is it OK to say disinterested when you mean uninterested? Lane Greene, who writes the Economist’s “Johnson” column on language, dispels some of the popular but misguided ideas many of us have about language.
Interviews where books by Lane Greene were recommended
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1
Be Like the Fox: Machiavelli's Lifelong Quest for Freedom
by Erica Benner -
2
Talk on the Wild Side: The Untameable Nature of Language
by Lane Greene -
3
Beyond the Northlands: Viking Voyages and the Old Norse Sagas
by Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough -
4
Haig's Enemy: Crown Prince Rupprecht and Germany's War on the Western Front
by Jonathan Boff -
5
Ottoman Odyssey: Travels through a Lost Empire
by Alev Scott
Editors’ Picks: Favourite Nonfiction of 2018, recommended by Sophie Roell
Editors’ Picks: Favourite Nonfiction of 2018, recommended by Sophie Roell
Journalist and Five Books editor Sophie Roell looks back on her favourite nonfiction books read this year.
