8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A most wonderful book, 5 July 2005
This review is from: The Oxford Guide to Style (Language Reference) (Hardcover)
For anyone interested in presenting the written word, this book is essential. But it goes far beyond mere rules of typography - it is a fascinating book in is own right. It contains a veritable wealth of miscellaneous information. A random flip of the pages reveals - a list of the states of the US with both official and postal abbreviations; the ordering of the books of the Christian Old Testament, according to the Jewish tradition; phonetic symbols; mathematical symbols (3 pages); the naming of biological species; astrological signs of the zodiac. Did you ever hear of the degree Rankine? Or the degree Reamur, most often found in the works of Jules Verne?
Did you know that in India, Punjabi is written in Gurmukhi script, whereas in Pakistan it is written in Urdu script? Or that Russian syllables end in a vowel? Or what about translating from American into English, a common tongue separating two countries?
Or how about a graphic representation of the structure of the flower of a primula?
This wonderful book first came out in 1893, and has been added to ever since. I bought a copy in 1985, and, due to many changes of habitat, lost it en route. I missed the old book, and was delighted when OUP decided to reprint it, in an even bigger and better edition.
If you are an author, a publisher, or just the average Jo/Joe who likes to turn out good copy, buy this book. If you have a natural curiosity, and would like a book to dip into in idle moments for fascinating snippets, buy this book. On the back cover, it says "This really is the ultimate guide for all printers, and book, magazine, and Internet publishers on the preparation and presentation of the written word." The ultimate guide? Aw, they're being modest. Buy it.
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44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic for those who work with the written word., 26 Feb 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: The Oxford Guide to Style (Language Reference) (Hardcover)
this is full of useful bits of info. although it is not something you would use every day - it will get you the info on tricky rare things that you might not find any where else or not without searching the net for hours and hours. It contains the 40th edition of HARTS rules - a must for anyone working with uk publishers.
recommended for anyone who works with english text ie proof readers, copy editors etc.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oxford Style, 16 Dec 2005
This review is from: The Oxford Guide to Style (Language Reference) (Hardcover)
This classic book should require no introduction for those whose profession it is to write. But even for the ordinary person this book could be a godsend if ever you find yourself needing to understand the make up of various publications and the customs that go with it. Its layout is clear and exact which helps it to be a very useful reference.
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