Most people with any interest in the English language know that it has the worst alphabetic spelling system in the world. What they don't know in any great detail, however, is how this sorry situation came about. They don't know, for instance, that a 17th-century English schoolmaster named Edmund Coote had a major role. And they might be surprised at the parts played by greed, intentional complexity, and downright blunders.   With this in mind, Niall McLeod Waldman has written Spelling Dearest. This book chronicles, in an irreverent and satirical way, the major happenings and minor annoyances that together form the history of English spelling.   Spelling Dearest brings together many of the shocking facts and dirty little secrets surrounding English spelling. Good spellers will be intrigued by thought-provoking background information on a subject they encounter and conquer each day. Bad spellers will feel empowered when they discover, it took multiple mistakes and missed opportunities by well-respected people to create a spelling system as complicated as ours. Parents and teachers of poor spellers will feel relief and sympathy when they realize, it's not the children's fault they can't spell. It's the fault of our needlessly complex spelling system.   Despite its serious subject matter, Spelling Dearest is down-to-earth, entertaining, and engaging. A great read for English language and history buffs.     Reviews & Comments   "Amazing! Waldman's treatment of a motley millennium of English spelling is fast & furious, pithy & profound." Joe Little, Managing Director, American Literacy Council   "Woldmin's acownt of the historee and horrurs of Inglish spelin is troolay brilyant a wittay, sparklin jem ov a boock." Daniel McGowan, Author of Going Mental and Constructive Awareness    "Too s