Scan barcode
lahowitt's review
4.0
An excellent, sassy, easy-to-read book on grammar. I learned a lot and laughed a lot.
jenniferdinsmore's review
5.0
Clear, consise, and very funny! A valuable guide for anyone who works with words. Will now sit on my desk next to my big, thick style guides.
mayamadeline's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot. I have dyslexia and despite it I am an avid reader. This was through and through the most difficult book I have ever reads I had to re-read virtually every page of the book. That however is only my personal struggle with this book. This book did a great job of explaining writing and making it fun! I loved the sense of self the author put into the book and feel like I learned a lot.
hamckeon's review
I got about 80 pages in and had to stop. It has a lot of editorial grammar information and I’m dragging through it. It’s a library book so I’m abandoning it for now, but may pick it up at a better time.
phoenix0's review
3.0
first half was practical. especially the bit on commas.
the rest of the book was esoteric. after a certain point, you'll get diminishing returns for your effort.
dnf.
the rest of the book was esoteric. after a certain point, you'll get diminishing returns for your effort.
dnf.
cfinnigan's review
5.0
I was curious about this book and not sure if I was going to like it. I loved it. I’m one of those people who thinks spelling is exercise in futility and grammar rules are less rules and more suggestions. Truly the English language makes no god damned sense. Still Benjamin Dreyer’s passion for the language won me over. It is a delightful read which is an odd thing to say about a book on spelling and grammar.
bwray1's review
5.0
An excellent treatment of the rules of writing from the perspective of a copy editor. Dreyer is practical enough to acknowledge there aren't that many rules worth remembering and they all have exceptions, but also willing to impose order with the rules that can be used to craft good, clear writing. Dreyer's able to precisely explain rules and why he abides them or doesn't, while keeping them interesting with his wit. He's also humble enough to admit when rules or usages trip even him up and that in those cases it makes sense to refer back to the appropriate reference, be it style guide or trusty dictionary. The section on misspelling and misuse of look-alike words, people, and places was unlike anything I've ever encountered before and eminently useful. Highly recommend as a reference for writing.