English in Practice: In Pursuit of English Studies [Paperback]

What is English? Peter Barry's book examines the practice of studying English, and the theory underlying that practice. He indicates how almost everything but the name of the discipline has changed during its short lifetime. He explores the core activities involved in doing English today, and looks well beyond the close reading of texts. He guides the reader through some of the most contested issues in the subject and surveys areas that have newly come under the banner of English. The great strength of Peter Barry'sEnglish in Practiceis its rare combination of common sense and personal, even idiosyncratic judgement as to the value of studying English. --Marjorie Perloff, Stanford University (Emeritus)

I cannot imagine a better way for a student of English to start his or her studies than by readingEnglish in Practice. --Jeremy Hawthorn, Norwegian University of Science and Technology