I've always known this small, handy and easy to read book simply as STRUNK AND WHITE. It was presented to all the incoming law students at the University of Alabama back in 1991. This book holds a special place in my heart and in my writing journey.

I firmly believe that it is an essential tool for writers in any profession. It is like a reliable Level for home builders, providing the necessary guidelines and standards. I have been using it frequently whenever I am writing important briefs and letters. In fact, I have been relying on it for over 20 years now.

It has become my go-to reference whenever I need to ensure that my writing is clear, concise and grammatically correct. The principles and rules laid out in this book have helped me to improve my writing skills and to communicate my ideas more effectively. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to become a better writer.

Tedious? A little. Useful? Extremely.

If you have any intention of having your writing taken seriously, enjoyed, or simply read and understood by others, you need a copy of this book on your shelf.

Although it isn't exactly a page-turner, it's great to dip into and have on hand as a reference.

If you've got Strunk 'n' White, you've got the basics of how to construct words, sentences, and paragraphs that work.

White's advice to writers in Chapter V reads like a blog post of do's and don'ts that George Orwell would be hard pressed to improve upon, especially since he's dead.

If you have a natural distaste for style books, rules to writing, and all that, I understand.

But if you want to break the rules, you have to know them first, and they are all here, accessible and understandable.

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What a beautiful, slim volume of wisdom and written elegance!

It is truly a gem that catches the eye and engages the mind. I highly recommend this edition with illustrations by Maira Kalman. Her illustrations add a unique charm and visual appeal to the already wonderful text. It has been, according to Roger Angell who writes the forward, "modestly" updated from the original, published in the WW 1 era. This update ensures that the book remains relevant and accessible to modern readers while still retaining the essence and charm of the original.

Get this book. It will be a valuable addition to your library, a source of inspiration and wisdom. Give this book as a gift to someone you care about. It is a gift that will be cherished and remembered. Refer to this book over and over again. It is a book that you will want to revisit time and time again, finding new insights and perspectives with each reading.

Settantatré

There was a remarkable book penned by Strunk & White. It was a book that I managed to devour in just one night. The style of this book was so incredibly simple, almost like a charming smile or a cute dimple. It had such an impact on me that it led me to think that perhaps I couldn't write at all. The simplicity of its language and the elegance of its presentation made me question my own abilities.

As I delved deeper into the book, I found myself both inspired and intimidated. On one hand, I wanted to emulate the simplicity and clarity that Strunk & White had achieved. On the other hand, I was worried that I would never be able to reach their level of excellence.

A sinistra... / A destra...

I'm always currently reading this book.

It has become a constant companion in my daily life. The words on the pages seem to draw me in and transport me to another world.

Each time I pick it up, I am eager to discover what new adventures and insights await me.

The story unfolds in a captivating way, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

I find myself completely immersed in the narrative, forgetting about the outside world for a while.

This book has the power to inspire and educate me, and I can't wait to see how it ends.

I'm sure it will leave a lasting impression on me and become one of my favorite reads of all time.

I remember vividly my Freshman year. I was sitting in the Music Building lounge, patiently waiting for my next class. Suddenly, Maryanne burst in, creating an appropriate amount of chaos. She loudly announced to everyone, “Oh crap, I can’t find my Strunk and White.” Everyone else in the room seemed to know exactly what she was talking about, but I just sat there with a blank stare.

A few weeks later, my required English 101 professor firmly insisted that we rush to the bookstore and purchase ‘The Elements of Style.’ We were instructed to treat it as if it were the Holy Grail of grammar. We had to carry it with us at all times, sleep with it, and consider it our eternal and faithful lover. This would mark the first of many copies of Strunk & White that would come and go in my life. I think at one point I actually had four copies.

Maryanne made a similar proclamation in the same lounge a month later. “Oh no, I have lost my Boosey & Hawkes”* which I did understand. It might have sounded more erotic than Strunk & White, but it was certainly less dramatic. For me, Boosies and Hawksies came and went, but Strunks and Whites have remained a constant presence.

This year, for my birthday, I received yet another copy. Only this edition is a hardback and Illustrated! At first, I thought: how strange can this be? It has got to be a mistake. After all, it’s just a grammar book! I was convinced it had to be a novel, a book on fashion, or something else sharing the same name. But nope. It was the same Strunk & White – only this time with pictures.

Over the years, I have accumulated other books on grammar (even one on Pittsburgh diction – go figure), but none can compare. The Elements of Style is concise, easy to understand, and practically perfect. It’s the best. Ever.

And a very clever artist has managed to illustrate sentence fragments, misused words, the hyphen, participle phrases, and many other teeth-gritting English stumbling blocks – in a very Magritte sort of way.

Yet, there is one thing that even the most excellent book won’t be able to do, as my friends will attest. And this would be comma abuse, of which I am the Master.

*It’s a Music Publisher

Everyone often views this as a book specifically targeted at writers.

However, in today's digital age, the reality is that most of us are, in fact, writers in our own ways.

We communicate through various written means such as email, memos, and letters on a daily basis.

Therefore, everyone can truly benefit from reading this book.

At first glance, it may seem quite short and slim, which can be deceiving, much like Kern & Ritchie's renowned book on C.

Despite its unassuming appearance, it manages to pack a significant amount of valuable information into a small package.

To truly master the basics presented in this book, it requires consistent practice and regular referral back to its pages.

Only through such efforts can one fully appreciate and apply the wealth of knowledge it contains.

I thought I'd just take a moment to express my thoughts on this book. In my opinion, this book is rather stupid.

It fails to contain any of the grammatical errors or rules that I am prone to forget. Instead, it only includes a bunch of ones that I already know quite well. As a result, I believe it is highly overrated.

I am truly curious as to why this book has achieved such great success and has even inspired numerous spinoffs. When you type "the elements of style", you are presented with a whole list of versions of the same concept, all claiming to distill a particular field down to its most fundamental essentials, whether it be in design, fonts, Java (a computer language), or screenwriting.

What I would really like is a book that could teach me those little-known yet highly relevant grammar rules. For instance, I have never been able to find a clear and comprehensive explanation for the differences between "like", "as", and "such as", among others. I hope there is a book out there that can fill this gap in my knowledge.

No writer, who is truly serious about his or her work, can live without it.

It is the essential element that fuels the creative process and gives life to the written word.

Whether it is inspiration, passion, or simply the drive to express oneself, this intangible something is what separates the mediocre from the great.

It is the force that compels the writer to sit down at the keyboard or pick up the pen and begin to craft their stories, poems, or essays.

Without it, the writer would be lost, adrift in a sea of ideas with no way to bring them to fruition.

It is the spark that ignites the imagination and allows the writer to create worlds and characters that come alive on the page.

In short, it is the very essence of what it means to be a writer.

To quote Stephen King in the foreword of his book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft: "I figured the shorter the book, the less the nonsense. One notable exception to the nonsense rule is The Element of Styles, by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. There is little or no detectable nonsense in that book."

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement.

This book, The Element of Styles, is not without its flaws. Of course, it has some errors. However, there are compelling reasons why it is regarded as one of the most significant books on writing. The fact that it has endured the test of time since its initial publication in 1918 attests to its remarkable helpfulness to countless individuals.

My review is based on my personal experiences and observations. From what I have witnessed, the central lesson for most people I know who have read this book is "omit needless words." This is excellent advice and might be music to an editor's ears. But for me, it holds even greater significance. It demonstrates how clear thinking leads to clear writing, which is of utmost importance when communicating a message to others.

Every time I return to this book, I am reminded not only of the valuable lessons I can learn from my past mistakes but also of how much more I need to learn to improve myself. It is a deeply humbling learning experience. The playful and vibrant illustrations by Maira Kalman in this edition further enhance the enjoyment and fun of learning from this book.

Understanding the elements of our writing style will enable us to express our voices more effectively. As someone dear to me used to say: "To live is to serve." In the end, if the expression of our voices is so clear that it can assist others in finding their own voices as well, then that is truly all that matters.

* = edited words

Picture credit: unsplash.com

I just read parts of it and found lots of strange stuff.

Namely, there are rules that are definitely not up-to-date (if they ever were).

Don't forget that it was written 50 years ago and English has changed quite a lot since then.

I am a lover of language and truly believe that using it correctly is important.

However, I really don't think this book will help you much.

Sorry, guys.

The language in the book seems outdated and may not be in line with the current usage and conventions of English.

While it's important to have a good understanding of grammar and language rules, this particular book may not be the most useful resource in today's context.

There are likely more recent and relevant materials available that can better assist you in improving your English language skills.

It's always a good idea to stay updated with the latest language trends and usage to communicate effectively in the modern world.

This is my third time reading this book.

I have a penchant for revisiting it from time to time as it significantly aids me in my writing endeavors.

What I truly appreciate about this book is that it remains a straightforward and uncomplicated guide when it comes to the best approach to writing.

It doesn't overcomplicate matters with convoluted theories or jargon. Instead, it presents practical and easy-to-follow tips and techniques that can be immediately applied.

Each time I read it, I discover new insights and perspectives that enhance my understanding of the writing process.

Whether it's about structuring a story, developing characters, or choosing the right words, this book has it all.

It serves as a valuable resource that I continuously turn to whenever I need inspiration or guidance in my writing.

I highly recommend it to anyone who is passionate about writing and wants to improve their skills.