How did language evolve? How old is language? How do we all know how to speak so effortlessly? Why is structural grammatical language specifically human? In his illuminating book, Steven Pinker attacks these fundamental questions with intense curiosity, energetic wit and clarity. He discusses every facet of human language and uncovers its deepest mysteries. Language, to Pinker, is an instinct, and he cuts through the jargon of the science of linguistics to show us how and why. Complemented by Lalla Ward’s superb and eloquent reading, this is an audio book about the power of communication and will enlighten all those curious to understand this human power.

‘Dazzling … Words can hardly do justice to the superlative range and liveliness of Pinker’s investigations’ Robert Winder, the Independent ‘Pinker debunks with panache, cuts through the confusion of jargon, and tells a mean anecdote. He does for language what David Attenborough does for animals’ John Gribbin, the Sunday Times