Examines the rise and fall of English as the most widely spoken language in human history and discusses which language will overtake its dominance as English-speaking nations are challenged by the rising wealth of Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Lingua-franca present. The edges of English -- How various in the future? -- Lingua-francas past. The pragmatism of empire -- When the writ of Persian ran -- Traders' languages and the language for trade -- God's own language -- A range of outcomes. Regenerations -- Ruin and relegation -- Resignation -- Who's in charge here. Big beasts -- The jungle is neutral -- Under an English Sun, the shadows lengthen.