Book description
toponymity
, n. The condition of being named after a geographic location.
It's no secret that America's cookouts owe a lot to the German towns
of Frankfurt and Hamburg. Likewise, we know when we put on the
wool of a
goat from India's Kashmir valley. But did you know
that the town of
Spa, Belgium, bequeathed to us a new form of
healthy relaxation? Or that
Tuxedo Park, New York, brought
Americans a staple of formal wear? These
towns, it turns out,
are just the tip of the iceberg.
In this ingenious follow-up to Anonyponymous, John Bemelmans
Marciano takes us on a lively tour of American, European, and
world
history, showing us our linguistic heritage in all its
richness and, to
use another toponym, serendipity. Dotted with
Marciano's signature witty
drawings and topical essays, this
book is a joy to browse and sure to
impress your friends. It
makes a perfect book for language lovers,
whether they come from
Cologne, Germany, or Bikini Island.
Has all the charm of his famous grandfather's Madeline
books...Marciano manages to be breezy and whimsical without losing any
historical accuracy.
John Bemelmans Marciano is the
grandson of Ludwig Bemelmans, creator of the beloved Madeline
children s books. He is the author and illustrator of several children
s books, including Madeline and the Cats of Rome, Harold s
Tale, and Delilah, as well as the popular word book
Anonyponymous. An artist and self-professed word geek, he lives
in Brooklyn with his wife, daughter, and two cats.
