"For the first time, Hildegard's Lingua ignota is put in a strictly historical context, which runs up to the present time. The content of the 1012 words of the Lingua ignota is based on the 'Summarium Heinrici', a medieval encyclopedia, which stands in the tradition of the Etymologies of Isidor of Sevilla. In this work, all the visible and non-visible reality is described and brought into a hierarchical order. The tendency is 'reification', describing realities, not transcendence, mythical speech or quietness. With great accuracy and theoretical positioning, Higley's book makes a strong contribution to the study of Hildegaard and language creation." - Michael Embach, Professor at the University of Trier and Director of the City Library of Trier; Author of Die Schriften Hildegards von Bingen (2003) "Hildegard s Unknown Language of more than one thousand invented words has both intrigued and puzzled modern scholars since the mid-nineteenth century. Higley s book provides by far the best edition of this language along...