The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary.

THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN: A TALE OF MURDER, INSANITY, AND THE MAKING OF THE OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY. Simon Winchester. 1999/2005. Read by the author. 6 cds. 7.5 hrs. Harper Audio. 0-06-083626-1. $14.95. Cardboard; content, author notes. SA

Professor James Murray was the creator of the OED, which features lavish examples of word usage over time. Dr. W.C. Minor was a major contributor of quotes from works of literature. What Murray didn't know, despite his years of admiration for the contributions of Minor, was that he was an inmate in an asylum for the criminally insane. Minor, a surgeon in the American Civil War, was traumatized when forced to brand a deserter. Later, he moved to England and lived a dissipated existence. During this time he shot an innocent working class man and was sentenced to the asylum. This crime received international notoriety. The asylum allowed inmate Minor to contribute to the OED. Minor expressed great remorse for his crime and contributed to his victim's widow's financial relief. Eventually, she became a frequent visitor along with Murray and other notable scholars. Winchester corrects the more fanciful renditions of this tale that captured the popular attention. His narration equals his exceptional authorship. His soft, precise, and genteel tone aptly conveys the essence of a tragedy redeemed by compassion and respect. Nancy Crowder Chaplin, Libn., VCCW, Goochland, VA

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.