Let's be clear from the start: this is not a novel. 'Section S' is exactly what it says on the tin—the complete 'S' section from Noah Webster's groundbreaking 1828 An American Dictionary of the English Language, digitized by Project Gutenberg. There is no narrative. You open the page and are immediately greeted by 'S, the nineteenth letter of the English alphabet...' and then you're off, marching alphabetically from 'Sa' to 'Syzygy.' It's a raw, unfiltered look at the building blocks of English as defined by one of its most influential architects.

Why You Should Read It

Reading it feels like archaeology. You're not just getting definitions; you're getting Webster's voice, his biases, and the worldview of early America. His entry for 'slave' is chillingly matter-of-fact. His passionate, paragraph-long definition for 'liberty' is filed under 'S' (for 'social liberty'). You see how science ('sympathy' had a different, almost magnetic meaning) and faith were intertwined. It's surprisingly personal. This book makes you slow down and think about every word. Why is 'self' such a massive entry? What does it say that 'she' gets a simpler treatment than 'sir'? It turns a reference book into a reflection of a society.

Final Verdict

This is a niche masterpiece. Perfect for word nerds, history lovers, and anyone with a deep curiosity about how ideas are formed. It's a book to dip into, not binge. Read a page while having your coffee and you'll start your day with 'salient,' 'sallow,' and 'salubrious' bouncing around in your head. It's not for someone looking for a gripping story, but if you want to get lost in the fascinating, foundational layer of how we communicate, this singular letter contains multitudes.