History in English Words by Owen Barfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a preeminently readable book of etymology, written by Owen Barfield, friend of C.S. Lewis. This book is not just an isolated series of word histories, but it is also tied in with history history, if that makes sense. Barfield was massively learned.
If you like entomology and linguistics, check out the podcast Lexicon Valley. They just did an episode on the “like” construction that is fascinating. Check it out!
Here’s a trick for remembering the difference between ETymology and ENTomology: ENT sounds like ANT, and ENTomology is the study of insects. Alas, they do not have the same etymology. ;^)