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The Story of Human Language  
 
From a single tongue to 7,000-plus languages  
spoken today, these lectures define us as a species.  
But why did different languages emerge, evolve, and 
disappear? Leave it to one of America’s leading linguists to 
answer as we gain a new appreciation of the remarkable  
ways one language sheds light on another. From the  
evidence linking a specific gene to the ability to use 
language ... to the hypothesis that our grammars channel  
how we think, you’ll become mesmerized by the  
mysteries of word history. John McWhorter is an  
Associate Professor of English and Comparative  
Literature at Columbia. He also is a frequent  
contributor to media.
The Age of Benjamin Franklin  
 
He’s one of our most notable Americans. 
A founding father. A scientist who flew 
kites in electrical storms. But what made 
Mr. Franklin so successful? And why 
has he continued to influence future 
generations? Revealing the many sides 
of this complex man, Professor Allison 
paints an intriguing personality. From 
his brilliance as a printer, scientist, 
postmaster, politician, even as “a ladies’ 
man,” we are treated to a rich portrait 
of his life. More movie script than  
history class, you’ll find this an 
entertaining series. Robert J. Allison  
is chairman of the history  
department of Suffolk University,  
author of multiple history books  
and on the board of the  
USS Constitution Museum. 
Benjamin Franklin, c. 1785   |   Joseph-Siffred Duplessis   |   Public Domain

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