The Social Art: Language and its Uses

I found this book to be disappointing. The examples used are cliched, and there is little originality or insight to be found. I was not able to find much to help me in my preparation for my studies, and I feel that there are other, better works that would be more appropriate.

I am doing a linguistics course with the Open University at the moment and I bought this book to suppliment the course material.
What a revelation! This is an example of how text books should be written. The language is clear and easy to understand. Most of the text book writers I have encountered seem to enjoy in wrapping a mantle of wooly words around the subject of Linguistis, propagating the myth that this is a difficult subject. Macauly's approach is the exact opposite, with the exception of David Crystal's work, I have not found a better example of clear, witty and informative writing. I wish other academics would learn from him, I know I have.