This is a wonderful handbook of all things grammar and style which is invaluable to all writers - whether they know it or not. It includes such wide topics as "Write in a way that comes naturally," as well as more narrow rules, like "a participlial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject."

This book is, in my opinion, a must-have for all people who love writing and respect their readers enough to want to write well.

It is organized well - it is easy to find what you need. In addition, it includes a detailed index just in case you're not quite sure what you need.

The style rules are presented as facts. For instance, the use of quotation marks around quotes is written as a rule that is not to be broken. If, however, you were to read Angela's Ashes, you would find that Frank McCourt does not use quotation marks at all. Of course, if you're as incredible a writer as Mr. McCourt, you can break some rules! Style is not as cut-and-dried as the authors claim. I still believe, however, that writers should master the rules before they attempt to break them.

Write well!

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Created Dec 28, 2009 at 8:35pm • Submit your own review...