The Classic Guide to Better Writing: Step-by-Step Techniques and Exercises to Write Simply, Clearly and Correctly

I would dearly like to review this book, but it hasn't arrived. Although Amazon's Where's My Stuff page said that there is no outstanding orders, the time estimate said it should arrive (New Zealand) between 4 Sept - 14 Sept, so I waited. The shipment was sent 14 August. I have requested assistance through Support, but haven't heard at all from Amazon. Generally, I have found Amazon very prompt, and delivery (International Standard) very good - about 2- 3 weeks. I hope that I will hear soon. Better, I'd like to post a more positive review for this book (and the other that was shipped with it).

The book is okay until Chapter 17: Bias Free Writing.

I'm not certain if it's a sermon from the Gospel of Political Correctness, or an excuse for the authors to be scolds. And they have a problem with every form of group affiliation. The Special Olympics gets a slap, too. "Special" is now, officially, a hateful word. They suggest you regularly consult with all the different ethnic and social groups to learn what's okay to say.

I'm reminded of an astronomy lecture I attended many years ago. The featured speaker was to talk about his career in astronomy. And he did for much of his presentation. But at the end he digressed to talking about his religious convictions, and the speech became an attack on those who held different beliefs. The president of the astronomy association finally had enough and told the man to shut up and leave.

Much of the book is informative and I learned a few helpful tricks.

But! Guys? Shut up and go away.

Even though I finish most books I read, I couldn't get through this one. It was like attending school: bloody boring and filled with exercises. I decided I would go through a chapter a night, but my decision was in vain - after a few nights, I quit. I recommend instead "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser. I couldn't put it down. Also recommended, of course, is "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White.

Most people hated writing essays in school. At work, memorandums continue to be a pain to read . . . and an even bigger pain to write.

For the last three years, I've encouraged my graduate students to begin their studies by writing an essay based on Adler's and Van Doren's How to Read a Book. Then, I ask the same students to read The Classic Guide to Better Writing, summarize its key points in 1,000 words, and then write 2,500 words about what they learned about how to improve the last essay they wrote.

After that experience, each student has become an effective writer . . . even though most were not before reading and applying this book.

I don't know of another resource that is nearly as effective for learning how to be an effective writer of essays.

Although it takes time to develop this foundation skill, you'll save much more time in the long run . . . and be much more effective in whatever you do if you read and apply Dr. Flesch's classic.

Be sure to do the exercises!

excellent!