Why Q Needs U

A twenty-six-chapter journey through the history and working of the English alphabet by linguistic guru Danny Bate.

'You'll never look at a keyboard the same way after reading Danny Bate's fascinating linguistic history'

A wonderful achievement! A breathtaking adventure through the alphabet - each letter a hero with a remarkable story to tell. An absolutely delightful read, filled with jewels of lightly worn scholarship and dazzling insight. I just couldn't recommend it more highly.

Why Q Needs U is a tremendously informative and entertaining biography of the letters of the alphabet that reveals surprising stories, makes astonishing connections and unveils the very roots of the language we speak.

Funny, smart, and totally absorbing, Bate's words leap off the page and into your mind, convincing you that somehow you knew all about linguistics to begin with. A must read for all language lovers, and anyone who wants to win at pub trivia.

The alphabet is a journey through time, and Danny Bate is a charming and erudite tour guide. If you read only one book about the alphabet I can enthusiastically recommend this one.

Danny Bate is a linguist, writer, broadcaster and podcaster who is fascinated by the study of historical languages and etymology. He took his BA and MPhil degrees from the University of York and the University of Cambridge respectively, and his PhD in linguistics from the University of Edinburgh. He can be found online at dannybate.com, on social media @DannyBate4 and @dannybate.bsky.social and at his podcast A Language I Love is....