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

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Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:

Summary: The Very Best
Comment:
More than 20 years ago I took a college English course that used On Writing Well. Back then I
considered it the very best writing book I'd ever seen and I still do today. As a
Journalism/English major and professional writer, I've seen plenty others but none compare. I think
it's fantastic in its coaching, mentoring and exemplary writing. I recently bought the 30th
Anniversary Edition and am glad to be renewing my acquaintance with this superlative guide. Thank
you, Mr. Zinsser!

Customer Rating:

Summary: On Writing Well
Comment: It's amazing how Zinsser uses what he is writing about while he is writing about it. This has been
the best book on writing I've studied in over 20 years of writing. I bought at least 4 of the
editions throughout the years.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Excellent resource for writers
Comment: I will re-read this book at least once a year. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned
writer, this guide is clearly written and totally accessible. Buy it.

Customer Rating:

Summary: NOT WORTH IT
Comment: I have all the books by E.B. White, and am a big fan of his writing. I bought this book with all the
5 stars review and comparision with , "elements of style book" but ,from now onwards i am going to
read all the 1 star comments first then buy the book.

I AM NOT SURE about all the 5
star reviews, how he got them. I can only SUGGEST HIM TO READ "THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE" 10 more times
and learn first

THIS BOOK IS NOT COMPARABLE TO "THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE" in the ration
of even 1:100

Just talking about E.B. White can get you all the attention and the book
can get noticed, But after that, there is no substance.

I agree with all the following
comments and am taking a pain to copy all of them in my comment, to make my point
/>--------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't buy this book.
Save your effort and money.This book won't help you to become a better writer. I bought the book
because I was influenced by 5-stars reviews on this board, and, for my pity, I completely ignored
opinions of those who was disappointed with this book ( Sorry!)Those who rate the book 5-stars, it
seems to me that them just didn't read really great books on writing: John Gardner " Becoming a
Novelist" and " Art of Fiction"; "The elements of style" of Shrunk & White; Thomas S. Kane
"Essential guide to writing". />--------------------------------------------------------------------
I am not a fan of this
book. He begins by saying Do not use complicated words when a simple one will do. Then he continues
by using complicated words throughout the entire book. He proceeds by telling the reader to do
everything they were told not to do: use "I" and start sentences with "but." He is the only person I
have heard of that is pro "I" and I refuse to do poorly on future essays because he likes it whereas
no one else does. Much of his style is completely subjective--he doesn't explain well why he likes
some phrases and dislikes others. One thing I'm sure of, no matter what I'd write, he'd hate it,
including this review. In my opinion, the author can be described by words he uses frequently in the
book: pompous and utterly (he'd say that word is unecessary but oh, I think it is) pretentious. />--------------------------------------------------------------------
down to its bare
essentials? ON WRITING WELL preaches a lean, clipped writing style that essentially neuters any
sense of lyricism or music in language. It's like saying we should all live in Minsk, all buildings
should be gray, there should be no leaves on trees, and you go to prison for using an adverb. As
Andrei Codrescu once said after his visit to a monastic Shaker home: "No smoke, no drink, no sex, No
Thanks! "
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Zinsser
begins this book with a story where he and a part-time writer answer questions during a school's
"Day devoted to the Arts." The part-time writer found his task easy, liberating, and enjoyable,
while Zinsser described writing as hard and lonely. He finishes the story by recognizing that there
is no "right" way to write. Unfortunately, he spends the remainder of the book telling you exactly
how to right - the words, punctuation, usage, and voice that writers should use. He writes with a
tone of superiority that is sure to discourage more writers than it will inspire. />--------------------------------------------------------------------
How Zinsser can call
himself a writer is beyond me. This book is filled with hostility, arrogance, and hypocrisy. All of
the points Zinsser makes about being an effective writer are contradicted at some point throughout
the book, either directly via a comment, or through his own writing style.
'Part-time' writers
are trivialized and all forms of writing except that which Zinsser purports to practice are
criticized.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
This
book is nothing more than a blatant attempt at self-aggrandization.

If you're truly
interested in being a writer, ignore all of the nonsensical garbage Zinsser writes. Trust me, I've
been a newspaper editor for 25 years.

Zinsser may know writing technique but
his content is sometimes totally off-base. />--------------------------------------------------------------------
His attacks on Richard
Feynman's books are totally ludicrous. Those books are suppose to be tongue-in-cheek humorous books.
If Zinsser had bother to read the addendum to those books, it would show Feynman's serious side and
show that the man could really write well.

I read Zinsser's books once. But I never
will read them again. />--------------------------------------------------------------------

It wasted a lot
of my time , i returned the book the next day at borders
Don't let that happen to you />

Customer Rating:

Summary: Required Reading for Writers
Comment: I give this book to young friends (high school/college) who want to write. If nothing else, it makes
them realize that nine re-writes may be the norm!

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

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