Had I read this a year ago, when I was happily under the spell of grammar nazism, I might have filled this little review with the kind of gleaming praise and happy diligence of the awakened.

However, in the past year, I was compelled to take up a few contemporary grammar and style guides. Subsequently, I have developed a sore throat around these pills and I spit them out.

My grammar is not sparkling, nor even prone to an occasional gloss shimmer. Nonetheless, a book of this sort does little to help the sheen. Its voice is commanding, and the pressing of its commands outright to the reader leaves little space for compromise.

The authority it has gained thereby, especially over young writers and students, is somewhat unnerving in its potential. It is troubling, both in particular and in general, that the book's tidiness comes at the cost of elaboration. A command is short and to the point, but it is not explicative.

There are a few exceptions in which the categoricity of these commands is spelled out for the reader, but in most cases we are left alone with the word. So in these circumstances, there is no way of knowing those rules that are worth following from those that are not.

4.5 stars

This concise little book is filled with a wealth of relevant and to-the-point information. What makes it even more engaging is its ability to be humorous at the same time.

However, there are a few "rules" and comments that betray the authors' biases and opinions. Some of the words they believed (or perhaps hoped) were passing fads have actually withstood the test of time. I must admit that I do appreciate their defense of using the pronoun "he" when referring to "one," rather than the plural "they." This concept has been a source of much drama, especially in recent years. Personally, I lean towards the traditional understanding.

Another aspect that I liked about this book is that the authors are honest in admitting that it is acceptable to break writing rules, but only if one knows how to do it skillfully. This shows a certain level of flexibility and understanding in the world of writing. Overall, despite its few flaws, this little book offers valuable insights and is an enjoyable read.

Style guides serve three extremely useful functions.

The third function, which is perhaps the least crucial, is to assist you in writing with style. Strunk's guide is filled with numerous rules. Although many of them are now rather outdated or specific to a particular country, like the Oxford comma and the placement of punctuation outside parentheses instead of inside, the book still offers an interesting and engaging guide to some of those style "rules".

However, the other two functions of style guides are far more significant. Firstly, it allows you to feel superior towards those who don't understand that there are "rules". This includes people who had the misfortune of receiving a "comprehensive" education or those who simply don't think it's very important. This can be quite enjoyable.

Secondly, and even more enjoyable than the first function, is the opportunity to be smug over those who believe that the "rules" must be blindly followed without considering any changes or differences in style, or even a personal style. Once again, those obsessive about the Oxford comma are really great guys...

Who would have thought that grammar could be so much fun!

What a truly remarkable book - a genuine classic. I was thoroughly captivated by the humorous examples from times gone by (of yore). The sentences presented were ones that most of us would no longer pen. However, precisely because we don't write them anymore, we pay closer attention and are inclined to analyze them. The question then arises: is the book still relevant? Without a doubt!

“… It showcases the weakness of the word NOT. Whether consciously or unconsciously, the reader feels a sense of dissatisfaction when only being informed about what is not; rather, they desire to know what is. Hence, as a general rule, it is often better to express even a negative in a positive form.

Not honest ................................dishonest

Not important .............................trifling

Did not remember...........................forgot

Did not pay attention to...................ignored

Did not have much confidence in............distrusted…”

And isn't it the case that we encounter the words listed on the left side on a daily basis?

Oops, let me rephrase that. The importance and relevance of the book are evident from the fact that most of us read and even write the words on the left side far too frequently.

Highly recommended.

Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger