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mveldeivendran's review against another edition
3.0
This audio transcript of the interview with DFW by Bryan Garner focussed upon some of the tools and techniques involved in English language usage and writing. People who aren't familiar with David Wallace's works and interested in the book might find this review useful.
"You'll cut this out but a Usage dictionary is one of the greatest bathroom books of all time."
DFW discussed his necessities of a thesaurus book, usage dictionary while (re)writing the sixth or seventh draft. How he had taught writing at the school and how he differed from his old school teachers in confusing the pupils though confusion will be prevalent nonetheless, he professed. A little exploration into argumentative writing and the way on how one should focus when it comes to writing non-fiction so that the logical and ethical appeal maybe preserved to be let enjoyed by the readers.
They had a similar take on the usage of 'officialese' (using impersonal, indifferent way of communication in public places of service) that when it is sorely in need to get connected with a mass, two individual speakers should in many sense speak not as human beings but as larynx and tongue of a longer set of people, responsible laws, regulations, and stuffs. Some more bashing on the emerging euphemisms/ genteelisms like the usage of 'prior to' when none is using things like 'posterior to' such that these puffed up words are not worth most of the time.
Despite the topics on the usage of language and writing was quite interesting, this usage fun has become no longer relevant with the culture as there have been too many strides in one culture and not even in the political facade where you find political leaders using emergent words like 'bigly'. They were discussing the usage problems of then-President G.W. Bush during his state of the union addresses and other public addresses.
You recognise this right? You're at a party:
"Yo, what your hobby?"
"Usage"
"Huh, huh, huh! Boy! I bet you get laid a lot."
"You'll cut this out but a Usage dictionary is one of the greatest bathroom books of all time."
DFW discussed his necessities of a thesaurus book, usage dictionary while (re)writing the sixth or seventh draft. How he had taught writing at the school and how he differed from his old school teachers in confusing the pupils though confusion will be prevalent nonetheless, he professed. A little exploration into argumentative writing and the way on how one should focus when it comes to writing non-fiction so that the logical and ethical appeal maybe preserved to be let enjoyed by the readers.
They had a similar take on the usage of 'officialese' (using impersonal, indifferent way of communication in public places of service) that when it is sorely in need to get connected with a mass, two individual speakers should in many sense speak not as human beings but as larynx and tongue of a longer set of people, responsible laws, regulations, and stuffs. Some more bashing on the emerging euphemisms/ genteelisms like the usage of 'prior to' when none is using things like 'posterior to' such that these puffed up words are not worth most of the time.
Despite the topics on the usage of language and writing was quite interesting, this usage fun has become no longer relevant with the culture as there have been too many strides in one culture and not even in the political facade where you find political leaders using emergent words like 'bigly'. They were discussing the usage problems of then-President G.W. Bush during his state of the union addresses and other public addresses.
You recognise this right? You're at a party:
"Yo, what your hobby?"
"Usage"
"Huh, huh, huh! Boy! I bet you get laid a lot."
h2oetry's review against another edition
5.0
Bryan A. Garner’s [b:Garner's Modern American Usage|18936455|Garner's Modern American Usage|Bryan Garner|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1385331031s/18936455.jpg|26944188] was reviewed in Harper’s by David Foster Wallace and an unlikely bond was formed, which led to things like DFW meeting an oppositely-political Justice Scalia of the Supreme Court as well as this book. The book is a transcription of more than an hour’s worth of video taken by BAG. He interviews DFW about language, grammar, usage, proper subjectivity of words, et cetera.
It’s a wonderful glimpse into the minds of two precocious SNOOTS. There’s plenty of good advice for writers and readers alike in the pages. I took a glacial pace through this, and the depth within the brevity is one reason. Another reason is I see myself reading this a few times per year.
To get a sense of the content, here is video from one portion of the conversation, where BAG asks DFW about genteelisms such as “prior to:”
It’s a wonderful glimpse into the minds of two precocious SNOOTS. There’s plenty of good advice for writers and readers alike in the pages. I took a glacial pace through this, and the depth within the brevity is one reason. Another reason is I see myself reading this a few times per year.
To get a sense of the content, here is video from one portion of the conversation, where BAG asks DFW about genteelisms such as “prior to:”
andrewdeyoung's review against another edition
5.0
It's basically David Foster Wallace and Bryan A. Garner talking about grammar and writing. If that sounds like something you're interested in—or if you loved DFW's "Authority and Usage" in Consider the Lobster—then this book's probably for you. If not, I'd give this one a pass.
Me, I loved it.
Me, I loved it.
livingpalm1's review against another edition
3.0
Accidental friends, writer David Foster Wallace and lexicographer Bryan Garner record an interview about the use and misuse of language and the importance of good writing skills across all vocations. It's informal, easy to read and insightful.
jhoffmann's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
torts's review against another edition
4.0
Some great bits about writing and usage and empathy. I don't always agree with DFW, and his verbosity can be tiresome (especially because it's so self-effacing), but he and Garner shared some great insights and quotable-quotes for word-nerds like me.
strickvl's review against another edition
4.0
DFW talks writing and gets his language geek on. What's not to like? I read the full article which kickstarted the relationship between Garner and DFW (it's reprinted in full in [b:Oblivion|6749|Oblivion|David Foster Wallace|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1311905400s/6749.jpg|2080870]) before starting, but I warn you that half-way through reading this book you'll want to go out and buy a copy of Garner's [b:Garner's Modern American Usage|344643|Garner's Modern American Usage|Bryan A. Garner|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388186157s/344643.jpg|334973]. In any case, this is a very short read. Lots to 'noodle' on, as DFW would say.
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