Another very readable book that I heartily recommend is "The Story of English"
by McCrum, Cran and MacNeil, Faber and Faber, BBC Books 1989.

Paul Callomon wrote:

> While we are recommending publications for people interested in etymology
> and language in general, everyone on Earth should have a copy of
> 'Composition of Scientific Words' by Wilbur Brown, published by the
> Smithsonian. The introductory essay is very interesting, if a bit turgid,
> and the main text is gem. Most scientific names of molluscs can be
> dismantled and traced to their original meanings, as can a huge number of
> words in general English. Like all brilliant books, it has stood the test
> of time - first published in 1927, the present (revised) edition dates from
> 1956.