The Babel Message

Quite simply, and quite ridiculously, one of the funniest and most illuminating books I have ever read. I thought I was obsessive, but Keith Kahn-Harris is playing a very different sport. He really has discovered the whole world in an egg. -- Simon Garfield
There is a delicious humour implicit in every page . . . [the book] is filled with a sense of wonder, gazing at languages that neither the writer nor reader understands . . . The Babel Message was such fun that I even went out and bought a Kinder Surprise Egg. * Mark Forsyth, The Spectator *
Gloriously eccentric. * The Observer *
Astonishingly rich ... Kahn-Harris writes clearly and entertainingly, with a gentle, self-deprecating humour. The book is also unexpectedly profound. * Times Literary Supplement *
The Babel Message is a gloriously inflected record of an obsession ... [It] manages to teach us a great deal about language - its protean energy and its slipperiness - but also makes us properly laugh (a rare Venn diagram, believe me). ... Kahn-Harris's fan-boy passion for the gorgeous surface of written language and his own skill in deploying it make the book a complete delight. -- John Mitchinson, author of The QI Book of General Ignorance
This is a wonderful book. A treasure trove of mind-expanding insights into language and humanity encased in a deliciously quirky, quixotic quest. I loved it. Warning: this will keep you reading. -- Ann Morgan, author of Reading the World: Confessions of a Literary Explorer
I would warn everyone to read and keep this beautifully written book ... Keith explores the world of language - what it is, what it means and how we use it. Keith's precisely written prose celebrates the wonderful imprecision of language in all its glory. -- James Ward, founder of The Boring Conference and author of Adventures in Stationery: A Journey Through Your Pencil Case
In this unlikely story of a quixotic translation, Keith Kahn-Harris illuminates how language-learning can hone our minds, strengthen our empathy, and lead us all to justice. Read this book - and immerse yourself in the raw pleasure of linguistic diversity. -- Daniel Bögre Udell, Executive Director, Wikitongues
I absolutely loved the premise and execution of this book. * Coffee Time Reviews *

Keith Kahn-Harris is a genial, eloquent guide, with a serious message . . . This is a book written with passion and humanity.

-- Mark Glanville * Jewish Chronicle *