The Oxford Guide to Style (Language Reference): Amazon.co.uk: Robert Ritter: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

This immensely detailed and eclectic second edition of The Oxford Guide to Style is a descendant of Hart's Rules for Compositors and Readers, first published in 1893. Inevitably the strict tone now nods a little more than it used to towards description of a changing language and has shifted slightly away from the unadulterated prescription of rights and wrongs. Thus, it is now acceptable to be addressed as Mrs Susan Elkin (not Mrs--husband's forename--Elkin) even if you're not a widow or a divorcee. You may also use contractions such as "isn't" even in quite formal writing and omit the full stops in--for instance--OBE.

Intended primarily for use by anyone who is preparing a book for a publisher--especially but not necessarily OUP--the Guide has 16 sections ranging from Languages and Specialist subjects to Indexing and preparation of copy and proofs. Anyone who works with, or is fond of, words would find it useful and interesting. At the same time the Guide doubles as a rather good general reference book. Where else could you find in a single volume an American-English mini dictionary, chemical symbols, Greek letters, standard abbreviations for names of publications--and a commendably clear account of the vexed question of whether or not, and when, you should capitalise words derived from proper nouns such as "Hellenic", "pasteurise" or "Dickensian"? And if you want to play Call My Bluff there's some wonderfully esoteric vocabulary here. Consider colophon which is "a publisher's emblem, device or imprint". And did you know that ^ is a caret? --Susan Elkin

Product Description

A completely rewritten edition of Hart's Rules for Compositors and Readers, which is currently in its revised thirty-ninth edition, The Oxford Guide to Style has been expanded to encompass modern issues in preparing copy for publication. Hart's Rules is a classic text in printing and publishing houses, and this successor to it is sure to become a classic also. The Oxford Guide to Style consists of 16 topic-based chapters giving advice on how to present the written word. It incorporates the most recent changes in citing electronic media, and details on submission of material for publication electronically. The text is full of explanations, examples, and lists on, for example, mathematical symbols, abbreviations and capitalization, and there is exhaustive information for editors on foreign languages and how to present them on the page. There is also advice on how to treat quotations, notes and references, specialist subjects, and indexing. As well as giving advice on the traditional skills needed in the preparation of copy and proofs, there is further information for editors on issues such as copyright laws and legal references. This really is the ultimate guide for all printers, book, magazine, and Internet publishers on the preparation and presentation of the written word.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

A most wonderful book 5 July 2005

By Anand Shraddhan

Format: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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45 of 49 people found the following review helpful

fantastic for those who work with the written word. 26 Feb 2002

By A Customer

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Oxford Style 16 Dec 2005

By L

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.