- Hardcover: 145 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Press; Ill edition (20 Oct 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1594200696
- ISBN-13: 978-1594200694
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 15.8 x 1.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 52,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I had been thinking about buying this book for two months, in the end i bought it so i could stop thinking about it.
I have read a number of books on this subject and did not think i needed another, but I read reviews of this book elsewhere about it being the "Best Book Written on Writing," so i wanted to find out if this was true.
This book covers nothing that the Oxford or Collins guide dont, but what it does do is keeps it simple and to the point. It's written in a style that's simple to understand and hard to forget. A book you will find yourself taking out to look something up, and then find yourself reading the whole thing again.
You will learn something, if you dont; I'll give you your money back!
I have read a number of books on this subject and did not think i needed another, but I read reviews of this book elsewhere about it being the "Best Book Written on Writing," so i wanted to find out if this was true.
This book covers nothing that the Oxford or Collins guide dont, but what it does do is keeps it simple and to the point. It's written in a style that's simple to understand and hard to forget. A book you will find yourself taking out to look something up, and then find yourself reading the whole thing again.
You will learn something, if you dont; I'll give you your money back!
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
We all need a little guidance when it comes to writing well. If you're hoping to elevate your understanding of the etiquette of English grammar, then The Elements of Style, with its myriad rules and exceptions to keep in mind, to play about with, and to avoid, isn't a bad place to start. Do bear in mind though that, whilst the example of when and when not to use the apostrophe is simple enough, other examples involving participial phrases and grammatical subjects are more daunting when read for the first time. It helps to have some grammatical bearing beforehand.
I feel that this book is really only useful to those who are looking to be published, and whilst publishing houses hold the money and means to send your work worldwide, then you have to stick to their rules. If you're looking to write for your own enjoyment though, I wouldn't worry too much about Strunk and White. I found many of their decrees outdated; few people will use the colon in the way described, and large parts of section 4, "Words & Expressions Commonly Misused", read as if someone in hiding had taken down my granddad's lectures verbatim.
Despite that, this is still worth a look. It has a classy, superior feel to it, only heightened by the 50-odd Maira Kalman illustrations dotted throughout. They provide a lighter aspect to the whole affair, so that whilst Strunk may have once appeared tendentious and overweening, he now approaches with the settled look of a Sunday gent, flower at his breastpocket, taking the air on the university grounds before lectures. Pip pip.
I feel that this book is really only useful to those who are looking to be published, and whilst publishing houses hold the money and means to send your work worldwide, then you have to stick to their rules. If you're looking to write for your own enjoyment though, I wouldn't worry too much about Strunk and White. I found many of their decrees outdated; few people will use the colon in the way described, and large parts of section 4, "Words & Expressions Commonly Misused", read as if someone in hiding had taken down my granddad's lectures verbatim.
Despite that, this is still worth a look. It has a classy, superior feel to it, only heightened by the 50-odd Maira Kalman illustrations dotted throughout. They provide a lighter aspect to the whole affair, so that whilst Strunk may have once appeared tendentious and overweening, he now approaches with the settled look of a Sunday gent, flower at his breastpocket, taking the air on the university grounds before lectures. Pip pip.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
75 reviews
111 of 114 people found the following review helpful
"Writing is hard, even for authors who do it all the time."
21 Nov 2006
Format:Hardcover
This jazzy edition of the classic "The Elements of Style," by Strunk and White, features stylized, exuberant, riotously colorful, and often whimsical illustrations by Maira Kalman. In addition, a few references have been changed to make the book more relevant. For instance, in the earlier edition, the authors cautioned against the use of acronyms with this example: "Not everyone knows that SALT means Strategic Arms Limitation Talks." The new edition states, "Not everyone knows that MADD means Mothers Against Drunk Driving." In the section on slang, Strunk and White advised writers to use standard language and avoid such words as "uptight, groovy, rap, hangup, vibes, copout, and dig." In the new edition, examples of slang are "psyched, nerd, ripoff, dude, geek, and funky." Strunk and White advocated "using scissors on the manuscript, cutting it to pieces and fitting the pieces together in a better order." In the current edition, writers are encouraged to use a word processor to move text from place to place.
Is a new edition of this handbook really necessary? I believe that it is, not only because of the archaic references that needed updating, but also because today's younger writers need visual stimulation and pizazz to capture their attention; this edition has both. Strunk and White's words of wisdom are, for the most part, reprinted as they appeared in earlier editions. The authors discuss such topics as elementary rules of usage, principles of composition and form, words commnonly misused, and tips on how to develop an effective and natural style. Even experienced writers would do well to review "The Elements of Style" now and then to remind them of the importance of clarity, brevity, simplicity, and consistency.
Is a new edition of this handbook really necessary? I believe that it is, not only because of the archaic references that needed updating, but also because today's younger writers need visual stimulation and pizazz to capture their attention; this edition has both. Strunk and White's words of wisdom are, for the most part, reprinted as they appeared in earlier editions. The authors discuss such topics as elementary rules of usage, principles of composition and form, words commnonly misused, and tips on how to develop an effective and natural style. Even experienced writers would do well to review "The Elements of Style" now and then to remind them of the importance of clarity, brevity, simplicity, and consistency.
146 of 159 people found the following review helpful
A perfect gift for anyone who loves the art of writing.
21 Oct 2005
Format:Hardcover
Strunk and White's Elements of Style is the absolute classic guidebook to grammar and to clear writing. It is underpinned by a simple philosophy of making every word count. The paperback edition resides on millions of desks world-wide: a wise guide to people who appreciate words and clear communication.
But here's a hardback edition, beautifully illustrated. Why not just go for the paperback? The answer is because Elements of Style has become much more than a reference text: it is an icon, and this edition is like a glorious piece of birthday cake that celebrates the fact that we've been in the presence of a faithful and inspiring servant for almost 50 years. Elements of Style is a classic that retains a resilient role even (or especially) in this age of txt.
If you love artful writing, buy a copy for yourself. For any friend who cherishes the written word, this book is the perfect gift. It allows us to stop, to marvel and to appreciate the power of simple truths, well told.
But here's a hardback edition, beautifully illustrated. Why not just go for the paperback? The answer is because Elements of Style has become much more than a reference text: it is an icon, and this edition is like a glorious piece of birthday cake that celebrates the fact that we've been in the presence of a faithful and inspiring servant for almost 50 years. Elements of Style is a classic that retains a resilient role even (or especially) in this age of txt.
If you love artful writing, buy a copy for yourself. For any friend who cherishes the written word, this book is the perfect gift. It allows us to stop, to marvel and to appreciate the power of simple truths, well told.
88 of 95 people found the following review helpful
The pleasure of this edition is in the design
28 Oct 2005
Format:Hardcover
For the reviewer who pines for life as it was 50 years ago, actually in 1959, William Strunk Jr.'s Elements of Style, which had gone out of print at that point, was revised by a former student of Strunk's, E.B. White. This 2005 revision takes nothing away from the book, but reconsiders the original from a design perspective. As far as I'm concerned, the cloth cover, the 57 color illustrations, the high-quality printing, only add to the pure pleasure of reading or re-reading this book.
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