Yesterday proved to be a big day for David Crystal’s popular new work, A Little Book of Language. Crystal spent the afternoon speaking with radio journalist Neal Conan on NPR’s Talk of the Nation. Fielding questions from Conan and listeners alike, Crystal discussed at length how languages develop, how they go extinct, and, most importantly, how they can be saved. The entire interview as well as an excerpt from Crystal’s book are currently available on Talk of the Nation’s website.

Later in the day Crystal’s book received more great press in a review by Malcolm Jones on Newsweek’s Arts/Culture blog. Jones calls the work “concise, lucid and humorous” and “a pleasure for readers of any age.”