For a very much non-brief history, this is a fun book: http://www.amazon.com/Stories-English-David-Crystal/dp/1585677191/ref=ed_oe_p http://www.amazon.com/Stori

For a very much non-brief history, this is a fun book: http://www.amazon.com/Stories-English-David-Crystal/dp/1585677191/ref=ed_oe_p http://www.amazon.com/Stories-English-David-Crystal/dp/15856... Real cheap used, comes with plenty of interesting anecdotes about English words and history that will make you a hit at parties.