The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature

**Steven Pinker – The Stuff of Thought – First Edition – Signed & Inscribed to David Crystal – Association Copy** A particularly interesting **association copy** of Steven Pinker’s *The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature*, signed and personally inscribed by Pinker to the eminent linguist **David Crystal** and dated **9 October 2007**. The association is especially significant because Crystal reviewed *The Stuff of Thought* for the *Financial Times* in October 2007, describing it as Pinker at his best. Crystal’s review appeared on **5 October 2007, only four days before the date of this inscription**. This therefore represents an unusually appropriate association between two of the most prominent contemporary writers on language: Pinker, the cognitive psychologist and psycholinguist, and Crystal, the internationally renowned linguist, author and broadcaster. In *The Stuff of Thought*, Pinker uses language as a window into the workings of the human mind. He explores what grammar, metaphor, verbs, names, euphemism, innuendo and even swearing can reveal about how humans understand concepts such as space, time, causation, relationships and emotion. The book combines linguistics, psychology and cognitive science with Pinker’s characteristic humour and accessible style. **Condition:** The book itself is in **Very Good condition**, clean and sound, with no damage noted. There is only a very slight hint of age-related yellowing along the lower external page edge. The dust jacket is particularly interesting. It is an **uncoated paper jacket**, without the glossy laminate or protective finish commonly found on modern dust jackets. Despite this relatively vulnerable surface and its age of approximately 19 years, it remains in remarkably good condition. An excellent opportunity to acquire a signed first edition with a highly relevant literary and scholarly association. **Priced at €200 for a relatively quick sale.** Given the David Crystal association, the dated inscription and the remarkable proximity between Crystal’s contemporary review and the inscription itself, this is considerably more interesting than a conventionally signed copy.…