This is a book probably best suited for a linguaphile or a language worker who needs a reference tool. It is literally a dictionary that details words commonly misspelled, misused, or misunderstood, filled with explanations and examples from publications, plus some typical Bryson wit. Some examples may have become dated, but if you are the target audience, it may be good to have on hand.

This is a guide to English words (and loanwords) that challenge even professional writers. It's organized as a dictionary, and - in fact - the earliest edition of the book was entitled The Penguin Dictionary of Troublesome Words. However, the entries are far from mere definitions, and typically include examples of grammatical, stylistic, or spelling offenses, examples that are sometimes humorous (as are Bryson's explanations.)

The most common classes of troublesome words are those that are redundant (or otherwise fail to add information) and pairs or groups of words that are frequently confused because of similar spellings or close -- but not identical -- meanings. That said, there are many other varieties of linguistic challenges confronted by the book, such as spelling mistakes and migrating meanings.

The book is dated. For some readers, that will make the book obsolete, but students of language may find it's even more useful in showing the evolution of the language. This can be seen with respect to migrating meanings, words whose meanings started out being one thing but against the efforts of grammarians and other linguistic guardians were dragged into an alternate meaning by the force of mass usage. There are some instances where Bryson advises one to honor the original meaning and other cases where he points out that the ship has sailed and to just go with the flow. I'm sure these positions would shift if this book were to be updated again. (Originally written in the 1980's, the book was revised and update in the early 2000's, but language has continued to shift in these 20+ years.) In several cases words for which he suggests we stick to the original meaning have now completed their slide. (And many of the words he tells us to accept the changed meaning of are now so far past that original meaning that few readers will be aware the word ever meant something different.)

That being said, the book isn't completely obsolete. As mentioned above, one of the most common classes of offenses are redundant and meaningless words, and these are almost all still relevant to writers today.

Bill Bryson has a unique relationship to the language, being both British and American, and one nice feature of the book is that he points out differences in spelling and usage that exist between the two countries.

There is an appendix discussing proper punctuation, a bibliography, and a glossary of linguistic terms.

If you're reading this out of an interest in language, I'd recommend it. It's light and humorous. However, if you're in the market for a reference guide, you can surely find a more up to date (if less humorous) guide.

one for dipping in and out of

Would be great as a reference book or similar but do not attempt to read it start to finish! Interesting to get a view on how we can get lax with some common words and expressions

I really enjoyed this, but then I do sometimes read the dictionary for fun. I found Bryson’s expectations of correct usage to be insightful and realistic. I appreciate his examples of incorrect usage.

An example of something I have applied to my own writing is the entry for include. He writes, "include indicates that what is to follow is only part of a greater whole. To use it when you are describing a totality is sloppy, as here: “The 630 job losses include 300 in Redcar and 330 in Port Talbot” (Times). No one ever pointed that out to me before. Thank you, Mr. Bryson!

294 - 2017

A precious little whetstone on which to polish your English skills! ❤

I feel I will go back to it again and again - even as I write this sentence I'm worried I'm not using the words correctly!

It sits on my shelf at the office beside Zinser, Strunk & White and The AP Style Manual - it is by far the most readable and fun book of this list!

Written by Bill Bryson, when he was a subeditor on The Times, Troublesome Words is a simple guide to confusing and problematic aspects of the English language. It can be used as a work of reference to assist the correct use of English, or read casually a few pages a day. Dealing with earth shatteringly important topics, such as whether “you lie (or lay) down to sleep”, or “ you purposely (or purposefully) nudged your sister”, Troublesome Words may simply be claimed as a triumph in pedantry. However, for journalists, other writers and grammarians it is an extremely useful source of knowledge. Although impeccably researched, I did not particularly like the style employed by Bill Bryson. Far too many of the examples quoted demonstrated incorrect usage of a word or phrase. Far better, in my opinion, to emphasise the correct form. The book was originally published in 1984, but republished 20 years later with major revisions and updates. I would dearly love to see a third iteration, with clearer instruction on ‘how to write correctly’ as opposed to ‘how not to write incorrectly’. Nevertheless, I shall keep this guide close to hand.

This is a dictionary and yet here I am, reading it through as though it were a narrative. Maybe that's a testament to Bryson's writing skills. I've learned a fair few things, even having been a long-time grammar nerd.

However.

His definitions are often at odds with the Oxford English Dictionary. Since they update the OED regularly, my guess is that when Bryson published this, it was current. Take his rules into consideration after you've checked a second source, as some are out of date.

I'm working my way through this one, cover to cover, in between chapters of whatever else I am reading at the moment.
The thing I liked most about this book, is just knowing what's in it. By that, I mean if a consideration regarding correct spelling or usage should arise while writing, I hope that I will remember that the very topic was covered in this collection and I can refer to it.
On the downside, there are numerous entries that seem to be geared more towards journalists. Entries which the casual reader and writer would rarely, if ever, have the need for knowing. Plus, Bryson comes off incredibly pretentious at times, for example in his rant about the correct way to spell "barbecue".

As this is a reference book, only the most committed logophile will read it from cover to cover.

The book has one section, "Troublesome Words", and an appendix, "Punctuation".

What makes this guide to correct English stand out from the cluttered shelves of similar books is two things. Bryson delivers his advice with his trademark humor that readers of any of his other books will immediately recognize. That itself leads to the second point — Bryson isn't some grammarian tucked away in the dusty stacks of an overstocked library, he's one of the most skilled and loved writers of modern English.

Any writer or logophile will want to add this guide to their collection.