"Most people don't realize, how
bad their writing is," says Zinsser. But this book is about building confidence and being satisfied
with your efforts.

The middle chapters on the different types of writing got a little
encyclopedic for my taste. But the final chapters were worth waiting for, especially chapter 23 "A
Writer's Decisions." In it, the author goes line by line through a travel article he wrote to
explain all of his choices. Thoroughly fascinating.

"Many of us were taught that no sentence
should begin with "but." If that's what you learned, unlearn it - there's no stronger word at the
start. It announces a total contrast with what has gone before, and the reader is thereby primed
for the change."

In my years as a freelance writer, no single word has been the cause of as many
arguments with inexperienced editors and know-it-all clients as the tiny "but." Finally, I hold in
my hands the opinion of a recognized authority (one who has served on the usage panel of "The
American Heritage Dictionary") who can put an end to this quibbling.

But this isn't all that
recommends this book. "On Writing Well" is possibly the best-written, most-accessible coverage of
effective nonfiction writing that I have ever seen. The shelves of most writers (including my own)
and many bookstores are filled with how-to books on writing. Most of these tend to be of the
spiritual or advice-giving sort: helping writers overcome blocks, feeling good about a suspicious
career choice, getting published and the like. At the opposite pole, many of the rest focus on the
minutiae of arcane linguistic rules.

Zinsser takes on writing. In 300 pages (which in themselves
serve as an admirable example of effective prose) he tackles a broad range of subjects such as
style, tone, word usage, structure, and unity, and applies these principles to various forms of
nonfiction writing: the interview, the travel article, the memoir, etc.

A breath of fresh air,
this. The author finds the practical middle ground between the bubbly motivational and dry-as-dirt
grammar books that so many of us find ourselves reading when we're not writing. No small wonder
that this book has gone through numerous editions since it was first published - it is an invaluable
tool.

Take down your bookshelves and put up a framed portrait of Mr. Zinsser. This is one of the
few books you'll actually need (and re-read) on your way to becoming a better writer.

"On Writing Well" by William Zinsser belongs on the
bookshelf of every serious non-fiction writer. This is a book I plan to read again and again.

People who write for a living (newspaper reporters and columnists, for example) will find this
book to be of value, but it also has much to offer for people in any vocation that requires
effective communication.

If you think clearly, you can write clearly, argues Mr. Zinsser, and
then explains, step-by-step, how to do so.

Mr. Zinsser writes with a very engaging and
approachable style. With the book now in its sixth edition, he has had considerable time to improve
his delivery. The end result is a book that is very entertaining, as well as a valuable resource.

I have only one disagreement with Mr. Zinsser, and that is when he states, "Unlike medicine or
the other sciences, writing has no new discoveries to spring on us. We're in no danger of reading in
our morning newspaper that a breakthrough has been made in how to write a clear English sentence."

In my opinion, the English language is constantly evolving. Maybe sentence structure will remain
the same, but our vocabulary will continually change as new words enter the language as slang and
later become accepted terms.

Could anyone have imagined that "granny flat" would become part of
our language? Or how about the examples that Mr. Zinsser cites in recounting his experiences upon
the usage panel for the American Heritage Dictionary --"rambunctious," "trigger," "rile,"
"shambles," "tycoon," "trek" and "escalate."

Evolution of the English language remains
unfinished. With the pronoun "he" being problematic for avoiding perceptions of sexism, use of a
gender-neutral pronoun may someday become widespread. Maybe the next writer who reads Mr. Zinsser's
book will apply its teachings to ger own writing. Gen will then go on to win a Pullitzer Prize.

In this book, William Zinsser makes a strong case for writing well.
Most importantly, he shows not only what good writing is, but he gives us the key to producing good
literature regardless of the purposes and preferences of each writer. Furthermore, he bases what he
says on a strong foundation of examples, both pro and con. The good humor pervading his work - which
differentiates it from the spiteful nit-picking of other self-styled teachers who believe themselves
entitled to an opinion - is an added asset to this delightful discourse. To read it, regardless of
whether you agree or not, is to be profoundly affected. But be warned! After reading this book,
you'll catch yourself being objectively critical of your own writing and what you read of others'.
This is a book that will make you think. Still, isn't that what good books are all about?

-
Benjamin Gene Gardner

His
observations will help any writer, beginner or not, to identify his or her style and find a niche in
which to build a successful career with integrity.

This book won't give you the nuts and bolts:
how much to charge, how to find specific markets... but what it does give -- a sturdy compass to
guide you through the world of writing -- is worth infinitely more and never wears out no matter how
experienced you eventually become. Definitely one for the bookshelf.