The Oscillatory Nature of Language. Cambridge University Press. 2020. [PDF]
“A wonderfully clear synthesis connecting neural oscillations and hierarchical structure: one of the first realistic attempts to understand how activities in the brain shape syntax. This engaging book provides real substance to the Minimalist Program in that it exemplifies the notion of ‘third factor’. Very insightful and a delight to read!” – Elly Van Gelderen, Professor of Linguistics, Arizona State University
“Murphy takes us on an exciting journey through the neurobiology of language towards the neural codes for phrase structure. The result is a tremendously deep yet fully accessible state-of-the-art overview that also presents a novel neurocomputational model of language.” – Kleanthes Grohmann, Professor of Biolinguistics, University of Cyprus
“[T]his book represents a thoughtful attempt to integrate two alternative approaches to syntax – theoretical linguistics and neurolinguistics – within the broader context of evolution and cognitive neuroscience. … Murphy interestingly considers neural oscillations at the algorithmic level of analysis, pointing to their relevance in the temporal unfolding (when) and order (how) of executed operations, which goes substantially beyond the common algorithmic interpretation of psycholinguistic behavioural evidence.”- Jordi Martorell, University of the Basque Country, review for Journal of Linguistics
Arms in Academia: The Political Economy of the Modern UK Defence Industry. Routledge. 2020.
Unmaking Merlin: Anarchist Tendencies in English Literature. Zero Books. 2014.
“Elliot Murphy is a superb guide and analyst of the repressed and marginalised anarchist tradition in British culture. His fresh readings of both renowned and obscure writers and the historical political undercurrents with which they engaged will intrigue scholars and activists interested in politics and culture. The relevance of these concerns to our current neoliberal condition renders this a gripping and important book.” Anita Biressi, co-author of Class and Contemporary British Culture
“Murphy is remarkably erudite for such a young scholar. Though not even 25 years old, he zooms with apparent ease and familiarity from George Orwell to Friedrich Nietzsche to James Joyce to Christopher Hitchens … The book is wide-ranging, touching on a number of themes – including education, representative democracy, the New Atheism, corporate power, crime, and poststructuralism. Throughout, Murphy does a good job of showing that the popular association of anarchism with violence and chaos is deeply inaccurate.” Tom Malleson, author of After Occupy: Economic Democracy for the 21st Century
“[I]t is epic in terms of the sheer number of authors and works that are referenced – Murphy has provided a book that shows an astonishing and thorough understanding of the subject matter. … This book is an extremely enjoyable read and an important collection of thoughts and ideas. It will be useful for anyone wishing to explore libertarian writing.” Jonathan Bigger, Loughborough University (book review, Anarchist Studies 23(2): 113-114)
Elliot Murphy 