Genealogy Books - On Writing Well, 25th Anniversary : The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (On Writing Well)

Back to On Writing Well, 25th Anniversary : The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (On Writing Well)

Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:

Summary: A Wonderful Tool
Comment: William Zinsser is the master of placing your derailed writing back on the track. Our culture seems
to demand haughty language intended more to impress than to communicate. Zinsser reminds us to
simplify our writing, drop the clichés and improve through revision.

Zinsser is an
accomplished writer and I thoroughly enjoyed On Writing Well. I can imagine reading this book once
a year to improve my writing fitness.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Good book
Comment: Good book on writing technique. I'm not too sure why it's considered a classic though.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Harmless but unhelpful
Comment: I was disappointed with this book, because it failed to teach me anything that will help me write
better. It is actually two books in one, neither of which works well. The first is a "nuts &
bolts" discussion of the mechanics of writing, but Zinsser's presentation falls far short of other
books that discuss this subject. The second explains how to write for various genres, such as
sports writing, travelogues, business writing, and so on. Since only one or two of these sections
will appeal to the typical reader, the others are a total waste, or nearly so. Frankly I doubt that
anyone who is serious about writing will find much in this book to help them. In seems more like
the paperback equivalent of a literary cocktail party - an opportunity for people who identify with
writers and other artists to experience the ambience that surrounds the craft without becoming
trapped by the practical details of the creative process. In my opinion, serious writers have
better choices. Strunk & White's "The Elements of Style" is an exceptionally fine book that
provides a very solid foundation for basic skills, and it is a superb example of good writing. The
"Chicago Manual of Style" picks up where Strunk & White stop, offering a thorough treatment of
grammar and an exhaustive discussion of citations and related practical matters. Finally, Stephen
King's "On Writing" is an utterly superb description of the creative process by one of America's
most successful writers. It is absolutely without peer, and anyone who is serious about writing in
any genre would be foolish to ignore it. Having said these things, I must admit that Zinsser's book
is not without some charm. It is easy to read and completely harmless - roughly equivalent to a
good article in the Sunday Magazine of your local newspaper. For people who truly mean to write,
however, I believe the other books I suggested are better choices.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Must read, on top five of any writers' reading list
Comment: I came to read this book not intending to write for publication but just to improve my writing
skills. I must admit that it had a good effect on it. If you were to write many types of
non-fiction then this book is for you. There are sections devoted to many types of non-fiction such
as memoirs, travel books, sports and a few more. Mr Zinssers' consistent theme is that all types of
gendres that are not fiction is legitimately a work of literature. Another is the correct argument
that the writer should have confidence provided the writer has done the necessary work. Being a
business school student I found the chapter on business writing very useful. Mr Zinsser's point on
business writing is that it should be written by a warm body and not write confusing and fancy
words. 'On Writing Well' dispels my habit of not editing my work when I should have the many papers
I've written.

'On Writing Well' should not be the only book all writers should read.
Mr Zinsser references Strunk's 'Elements of Style' and regards it an important work. Syntopically
'On Writing Well' should be on the top five of any must read list in the art of writing well.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Benefits from applying the observations in "On Writing Well."
Comment: I have written magazine articles and books for over forty years. Recently, I noticed that editors
were getting more "picky" about what they published. I needed a wake-up call, since I had been
"retired" for 13 years. "On Writing Well", the 25th anniversary edition was that rude awakening and
sage advice that brought me into the 21st century style of writing.
Any writer, beginning or
well-seasoned, will benefit from reading this book and incorporating the advice offered into his or
her non-fiction manuscripts. Editors will take notice and readers will become enthralled. />This is, in my opinion, the most important book on writing by a writer for writers currently in
print.

Back to On Writing Well, 25th Anniversary : The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (On Writing Well)

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