Astrid Stedje's introduction to German language history and linguistics has long proven to be an excellent textbook for beginners. The presentation shows, on one hand, that language history is an important part of cultural history and how vocabulary reflects changes in material and mental culture. On the other hand, it illustrates the evolution of the linguistic system from ancient times to the present. Through important sound and form changes and syntactic examples, the book clarifies the similarities and differences between closely related languages such as German, Dutch, English, and Swedish. The didactic preparation of the material, along with numerous illustrations and graphics, makes this volume particularly suitable for BA programs.