The numerous Zinsser fans I see represented among the Amazon reviewers lead me to
suspect that perhaps this is not his most effective book. I found many of Zinnser's asides
entertaining, particularly the narrative describing a trip to Timbuktu and the experience of Bedouin
lifestyle; but as examples intended to help me better my own writing I rate them only fair. I did
not find them overbearingly political as another reviewer has commented. The style advice in the
first few chapters was marginally helpful, but my suspicion is that Zinsser tried to cover too much
ground with too few pages.

Of course, as this very review shows, I'm no great shakes as a
writer. However, for the starting writer who wants one or two good initial book purchases, I would
recommend two other books that inspired me a bit more than this one did. First, Strunk & White's
_The Elements of Style_ is the best style manual around (page for page.) As soon as I actually
started reading it (after getting over the memories of having to buy this in college) its genius
became apparent. Second, for sheer, irreverent essay writing inspiration, _Sin Boldly!_ by David R.
Williams is a winner. Start with these two, and you'll be primed for more!

In a section on eloquence he writes, "The
cadences of Jefferson, Lincoln, Curchill, Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson came rolling down to me.
(The cadences of Eisenhower, Nixon and Reagan did not.)" OK. I'll spot him Ike and Nixon. But
Reagan? He earned the title "The Great Communicator" and was teamed with a truly eloquent and gifted
speechwriter, Peggy Noonan.

In the following paragraph he cites Mario Cuomo and Jesse Jackson as
two who have restored his faith in the nobility of language as a means of addressing the populace.
Cuomo maybe, but Jackson?

This book is dated and tiresome. Save your money and time and instead
read something truly useful such as "When Words Collide".