Of all the academics I've read for school, I must declare Ian Duncan to be, by far, the most articulate and well written scholar by a long shot.
(Perhaps I'm wrong, but as I did state "of all the academics I've read..." I think I have leeway.
Duncan commands a mastery of the English language which doesn't feel as forced in its dispersement as does Neal Stephenson's.
I once fancifully imagined myself as a graduate student in Berkeley's English program, but thought better of it when I realized the daunting undertaking that would be financially, mentally, and of course, logistically.
Posted by stephend at August 23, 2006 8:01 PM