There are many books that cover the history of the English language, and which one is considered "best" can depend on what you're looking to learn or the perspective you're interested in.
One classic and highly-regarded book on the history of English is "The Cambridge History of the English Language," which is a multi-volume set that covers the history of the language from its Indo-European roots up to the present day. This set is considered a comprehensive and scholarly work and is often used as a reference by linguists and historical linguists.
Another popular and well-reviewed book on the history of English is "A History of the English Language" by Albert C. Baugh and Thomas Cable. This book is a single-volume work that provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the language and is accessible to a general audience. It covers the major linguistic changes that have occurred in the language over time, as well as the social and historical context in which these changes took place.
"The Oxford English Dictionary" also provides a detailed history on the development of the language and it's words throughout the centuries.
Additionally, for a more specific look and focus on Old English specifically "An Introduction to Old English" by Peter S. Baker would be a good choice.
In any case, I recommend taking a look at the table of contents or reading reviews of the book before deciding to ensure that it covers the specific aspect of the history of English that you're interested in.
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