jgnat...I just picked this one up from the library this morning. The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language (P.S.) bySteven Pinker. Along with some others. Glad to hear its a good read, I'm looking forward to it even more now.
I've just finished....Why Orwell Matters, by Christopher Hitchtens. That was an interesting read about the man behind '1984' and what inspired him. His background, predjudices, misinformation about him and why his writing is still valid today.
I just found his video on Utube too so will put it here. I don't think it is going to link though..sorry.