Pei's writings are generally accessible to the
non-specialist in languages (which is what I am). Although Pei does delve
into the more technical aspects of his subject, most terms are explained
in the glossary.
The Story of Latin traces the evolution
of Latin from its humble beginnings (just one of a number of dialects on
the Italian Peninsula - along with Oscan, Etruscan, Greek and others) to
its increase, flowering, decadence and ultimate begetting of the more modern
Romance languages: Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Rumanian. He
traces the changing of the languages through the ages through inscriptions,
literary works and even letters. What makes this book especially valuable
are the 100 pages or so of appendices. Included here are specimens of decaying
Latin/growing Romance languages (depending on your point of view). Excerpts
of El Cid, Chanson de Roland and lesser known works testify to the blossoming
of new languages.
After reading this work I was better able to
understand why languages in general, and the Latin family in particular,
must change to be in sync with the changing times. Languages truly are
living entities.