The Deorhord: An Old English Bestiary

This beautiful, fascinating book casts a warm light on the rich and tangled roots of the English language, and the human fascination with animals in the natural world. Hana Videen's The Deorhord is a treasure trove. -- Caspar Henderson, author * The Book of Barely Imagined Beings *
For amateur etymologists, armchair philologists and compulsive readers of histories, The Deorhord will set hearts fizzing with joy. -- John Wright, author * The Forager's Calendar, The Naming of the Shrew *
A beautifully written reminder of the magical and the mystical - a glimpse back in time that uses extraordinary creatures to capture the reader's imagination. -- Rebecca Lee, author * How Words Get Good *
Immensely absorbing ... a wonderful window to see our familiar words and ideas in new ways that cover them in curious colours. -- Victoria Finlay, author * Colour: Travels Through The Paint Box *
A treasure trove that the lexicographer Susie Dent might be tempted to plunder * Country Life *
Videen is an excellent guide to lost lore ... her endlessly fascinating book is chock-full of archival detective stories * Spectator *
For lovers of words and animals alike, this is a book to be devoured with the voracity of the draca (dragon) * Times Literary Supplement *
A wonderful way into Old English, opening windows on a lost world that shaped ours and still lives within it. -- Ronald Wright, author * A Short History of Progress *
The Deorhord has treasures aplenty for animal lovers and curious minds. * Foreword Reviews *
Delightful * The Lady *
As fun as it is fascinating and deeply researched ... For lovers of language, animals, or history, Videen's Deorhord contains much that will charm and delight. * National Review *
Absolutely captivating * Well-Read Naturalist *
An invaluable - and hugely entertaining - insight into the medieval imagination. The Deorhord illuminates the ways that language influences how animals have been conceptualised and discussed, and introduces a bit of magic to our own world by association. It is an absolute romp and a must-have for history and fantasy enthusiasts alike. -- Eleanor Janega author * The Once and Future Sex *
Praise for The Wordhord : A marvelous book -- Neil Gaiman
Wonderful -- Tom Holland
A lovely, lovely read -- Lucy Mangan
Splendid -- David Crystal
Eminently giftable -- James Marriott * The Times *
Entertaining and absolutely fascinating -- Paul Anthony Jones
Delightful ... a classy gift to the commonly word-drunk -- Steven Poole * Guardian *
A passionate medievalist and a relaxed, lucid writer; the pleasure she takes in her subject is infectious -- Henry Hitchings * Wall Street Journal *
A treasure trove ... and beautifully designed -- Marshall Julius
A lively linguistic history * BBC History Magazine *