Writers Books

The "Introducing..." series is quite uneven: there are some great books in it, but also some very dull ones. In general, books about authors are good, since they can combine the life of the writers with part of their stories. I love the one about Proust and the one about Camus; those about Joyce and Tolkien weren't so good on the other hand. The one about Kafka is one of the best, and this is due in no small part to the drawings of author Robert Crumb, who was able to bring to life (sorry about the cliche) Kafka's perverted imagination (yes, perverted is the right word) as probably few other artists would. Strongly recommended.

INTRODUCING KAFKA is a great way to enjoy R. Crumb artwork without feeling slimed by his unfortunate obsessions with perversity, and you will learn a lot about the life of the very famous author named Kafka, too.

Most of the pages have more space given to the artwork than the body text, drawn in the typical R. Crumb style, cute with edgy content.

Overall, after reading this book, I realized that I no longer am interested in the type of work done by Kafka, which is story writing that is VERY depressive and dreary, though imaginative.

I used to be a much more involved reader of R. Crumb, but I have since lost interest in his pornography overloads, so this INTRODUCING KAFKA book is a nice little souvenir of R. Crumb that I can safely keep in the house, without fear of upsetting anybody if they should ever find it.

There is very mild "adult" content in R. Crumb's artwork, especially mild compared to R. Crumb's independent, anything goes, usual work.

This book is a perfect fit for a biography of oddball author Kafka, presented and illustrated with R. Crumb work, doing a rare, non-offense project, for most mainstream readers' sensibilities.

Crumb was definitely the perfect illustrator for this book. Wow! The stories are "broken down" and visually interpreted, which really enriches the reading experience of the actual stories later (if you choose to do so). Overall, a very interesting look inside the life of a mysterious, dark-minded writer that most people don't know too much about. I'm really glad I read this book, I learned a lot!

For those who came to look at/buy this book via Ian Buruma's passing mention in the New York Review of Books (4/6/06), in which he states the "the book does [Crumb and Kafka] both a disservice": Don't believe it. As another reviewer said, I found this book strangely moving; and the Illustrated Classics reference is unfortunate. The enforcement - sometimes passive - of the high-low cultural dichotomy is very boring, very 20th-century, and not of much use in reading a book like this.

I dug this book and I recommend it to everyone out there. Fans of Kafka and/or Crumb should really enjoy this.

I recall the first time I read Kafka's "The Metamorphosis", I was in my early twenties. I really hated it. I didn't really get it, nor did I desire to spend any time and mental energy trying to get it. Then again, what do you expect from a twenty-five year old bachelor? Enlightment? Nah, think again. Come to think of it, the only reason I read it in the first place was to impress some girl I was dating at the time. Needless to say it was a challenge for me trying to stay awake while reading it. I mean for one thing, how in the hell are we supposed to get excited, let alone even interested, about some guy who wakes up one day only to find that he's transformed into a giant bug. YAWN! Anyway, I did finally finish the book, however that was the first and last time I dared to pick up a novel by Franz Kafka again. The guy was just too damn doleful and morose for my taste. If I want to be depressed I'll start watching daytime television.

So anyway, about three weeks ago I was checking out this used book store in San Luis Obispo and just so happened to come across this little book. Now I have to tell you up front that I have never been a huge fan of Mr. Crumb's salacious sketches. No doubt about it, the man is one talented artist, incredibly original and a unique innovator. However, like I said, he just doesn't quite do it for me personally. So the million dollar question is - 'why would I purchase this book if I am not a fan of either artist?' The answer is simply because I have been promising myself for a while now that I need to try and tackle Kafka one more time (after all, I am so much more enlightened, open-minded, & mature now than I was fifteen plus years ago. At least that's what I keep trying to convince myself, others, like my wife for example, may beg to differ with me). Ergo, I was hoping that this short, breezy bio would educate me a bit on this rather unconventional writer. Also, I enjoyed the fact that this book was designed to be a bit humorous as well (hence Crumb's irreverent illustrations). God knows that Kafka is depressing enough, so this bit of humor (the author David Mairowitz also deserves credit for this as well) certainly helps.

All in all, this turned out to be an excellent little read. It's not going to blow your mind. It's not abstract or esoteric by any stretch. However, it is interesting. It is a tad educational as well. To sum it all up in one cliche line - it's a clever, pithy, picturesque little bio that is sure to assist anyone who is brave and intelligent enough to tackle Franz Kafka.

Well written by David Zane Mairowitz. And of course the illustrations by Crumb are absolutely amazing and for him, very, very tame. PG-13 tame in fact. This is the first book of this introductory series I've read so far, I am definitely interested in checking out the others in the series real soon.

Enjoy!

Excellent. With a very interesting plot, the author uses a plain language that becomes an adictive reading, and as a bonus...educative!

Excelente. Resulta un ejemplo perfecto de cómo una historia debe ser contada.
Con un argumento extraordinariamente interesante, el autor utiliza un lenguaje siempre claro que redunda en una lectura adictiva y como valor agregado resulta educativa.

From the first pages M. Druon takes you back into the history, centuries ago when France was devastated and nobels were gods, whilst people were treated as nothing. The dirt of relations between royal personas, conspiracy, accusations, treasons and love - all in The Accursed Kings.

M. Druon's language is so easy to understand and the way he buit all the volumes makes you feel living in France, in 14th century; when you close the book for a moment, you still feel the presence of that time...

Admirers of classic literature and world history will be addicted to reading The Accursed Kings over and over again.

Thumbs up! Six stars! Sure this series ranks as one of the best (perhaps the best) historical novels I have read. From the first book to the seventh one, it is impossible to stop reading. The books are historically accurate and M. Druon depicts the events in the most amazing and gripping way. Read the whole series (seven books).

This historical novel deals with the extermination of the Knights Templar and the curse that came upon the french monarchy as a result.

However interesting and easy to read, lacks a bit of character and plot depth. The author builds up a situation or conflict, only to resolve it in very few paragraphs, and to a certain extent in very predictable ways.

If I compare it to the Alexandros Trilogy (Manfredi), I'd have to say this one is not as good and left me with a certain sense of emptiness.

This is the first of 7 volumes and based on this one, I'll go as far as one more and see what happens.

This is probably the best historical novel (or series, as there are seven of them) ever written. Entrancing, vicious, beuatiful, innocent, short-sighted people get caught in this story of fate and destruction. Great, thumbs up!

. . . an illuminating look at the risks involved in flying commercial airliners, from a line captain who spent his career doing just that. . . . Power-Waters uses his captain's eyes and mind to explain why things happen and what can be done to make the skies safer. . . .
Roy Boydston, General Aviation News

Once again Captain Brain Power-Waters had the courage to take on the FAA. I hope his effort is not in vain. The ALPA, IAM, and NATCA need to take a stand and do the right thing. We all know the FAA want. Congradulations Brian for your great book. This is a must read for everyone! Steve Goodman, Line Captain, A&P, I.A.

I thoroughly enjoyed Captain Power-Waters' latest book. Now the truth is out! What a great job of telling the truth, and in such an interesting fashion. Power-Waters' story telling holds the attention while putting out information that is valuable to all in aviation. Is It Safe? covers today's primary concern of the risky business of flying commercial airlines, and what can be done about it. I am recommending my friends read it. Captain Power-Waters continues to do a service for all aviation by telling it like it is. This is overdue in aviation.
Paul E. Stebelton, FAA Accident Prevention Specialist (13 years), Captain USAF Retired.

"Thank you for sending me a copy of Is It Safe? You obviously have done an extensive job researching this topic, and, more importantly, it is clear you have lived the issues. I congratulate you on your effort.
Robert Roach, Jr., General Vice President IAM, the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers.
IAM has over 14,000 mechanics and flight attendants in their association.They also preside over 75,000 other airline employees.

Whether it's airline practices, the two-person cockpit crew, or just plain bad design, Captain Brian is all over it. He's particularly hard on the FAA, from a lot of different angles. He points out that they can't possibly do the job they're saying they're doing, and that their delegates (DERs and airline employee-supervisors) aren't as interested in safety as in keeping the schedules met. He points out that the FAA doesn't follow its own rules, and how, if you're high enough up in the bureaucracy, you can get away with all kinds of questionable actions. He even mentions how some (to his mind, as well as most others' ) "unqualified" FAA officials (they're all "officials") decided to "get" Bob Hoover. . . . .
He sounds alarmist, even -- until you realize he's quoting actual accident reports, actual cockpit recordings, actual GAO studies, actual facts. . . . .
The book reads like a hangar-talk bull session, where you're listening to a guy who knows his flying, knows his airplanes, knows his maintenance, and, well, knows what he's talking about. . . . .
Tim Kern, Aero-News Network

This was the first Romain Gary book I've ever read - he doesn't seem to be very well known in the US, which is too bad. This book is so very well written. It's beautiful and kind and funny.

I could easily say this is one of the best books I've ever read. Roamin Gary is briliant. He make you laugh and cry at the same time. I would definitely recommend this book.

My favorite book. So endearing and sweet, it will undoubtedly touch your heart. This story is incredibly poignant yet light and funny at the same time. A must read. I would be surprised if anyone did not absolutely adore this book!!

This is by far the best book that I have read in a very long time. I wasn't familiar with Romain Gary until I read a little book called "Darkness Visible - A Memoir of Madness" by the great author William Styron. In "Darkness Visible" Styron describes his crippling depression and near suicide and speaks of Camus and Romain Gary with great affection. He knew Gary and his wife Jean Seberg. (Styron almost met Camus - he had a dinner engagement with him when he learned he was killed in an auto accident.) Styron saw Romain Gary in his deepest state of depression only to experience serious depression himself later. Styron was deeply affected when he found out that Jean had committed suicide and later so did Romain Gary. It is disturbing how we often lose so many of our great artists by their own hand. And Romain Gary was certainly one of the greatest.

In "The Life Before Us" Romain Gary tells the story of Madame Rosa from the viewpoint of little "Momo". This was the first time I had ever read a novel where I was literally laughing from humour and crying from sadness at the same time. It is amazing how the same exact sentence can inspire both humour and sadness. But Gary accomplished this and much more with this very touching novel. There are many tender Truths in this work. A touching quote: "'Monsieur Hamil, can somebody live without love?''Yes', he said, and bowed his head in shame. I burst into tears." Another is: "'It's where I hide when I'm afraid.' 'Afraid of what, Madame Rosa?' 'You don't need reasons to be afraid, Momo.' I've never forgotten those words, because they were the truest words I've ever heard."

This novel is about life and what it means to be human. It is profoundly touching, disturbing, sad, funny, and honest. You will look at the world differently after reading this novel. It is sad that Romain Gary is gone from our world, but my how he enriched it.

...like life, and like death, defies review. Some of its best thoughts are not even written; they surface between the pages, or months, even years, after the last page is read. In The Life Before Us, Gary touches places in the mind that went unnoticed before, but were always waiting to be found. It is as though one were watching a video of all the dreams that were dreamt too long before waking to be remembered, but, now seen, entirely familiar.

I love suspenseful novels that keep you guessing, and this is one! I'm usually very good about picking the killer but EVERYBODY was suspect to me in this book. When an author can hide the killer the entire time, it's a real treat. I wasn't surprised at who it turned out to be because I knew it had to be one of the several people I suspected.

In addition to the suspence, this novel has a thread of romance. You easily fall in love with the characters and invest in their relationship. I cared what happened to these characters and cared about the survival of their relationship.

If I had to complain, I would say that I wished it was even more scary. I was expecting to be scared out of my wits but it was hard to relate to a woman who lived in the middle of nowhere with no electricity in the 90s. I think if the setting had been an apartment in the city, I would have been more likely to feel frightened because I would be thinking this could happen to me. Instead, I was distanced from the situation because I could not relate to the setting.

However, I think this is a wonderful novel and worth the read. I highly recommend!

Artist Katie Summers has not had a real relationship since the death of her fiancée, Todd. No man has ever come close to stirring her feelings the way he did. She is devastated when he is killed in the Vietnam war, but knows she must continue living. She finds a job at a local coffee shop and lives in the small town of Belleville at Black Lake in a home owned by her late aunt.

After being stood up by her boyfriend, Katie drives home in a terrible storm. She is shocked to see a pair of "dead" eyes staring at her in the rearview mirror. Her car crashes and she winds up in a coma for four days. When she wakes up, nobody believes she saw anything in her rearview mirror, especially when she claims the eyes were identical to her dead fiancée's.

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Jonathan Shea is called in to consult on Katie's condition. He finds her story hard to swallow, but he can't put her genuine fear out of his mind. Jonathan has his own troubles, as he recently requested a one-year sabbatical from his job to clear his head after the suicide of one of his patients. Still, Jonathan finds himself intrigued with Katie's situation and promises to keep a watchful eye on her.

When Katie is released from the hospital, strange and terrifying things begin to happen to her and the people she cares about. She can't figure out who would want to hurt her like this. She tries to resist the concern of the handsome Dr. Shea, but she finds herself leaning on him more often than not. She isn't even sure he can be trusted.

LISTEN TO THE SHADOWS has shades of the old gothic stories, complete with the scary old house. Joan Hall Hovey's characters are life-like and you can actually feel the fear the heroine is experiencing. Hovey's descriptions make the story jump out at the reader in this compelling, page-turner. This story has the makings of a classic. Review by Yvonne Hering

Joan Hall Hovey's novel, Listen To The Shadows is an incredible page-turner. The suspense is so real, the characters so alive that you can practically touch them. It is a must-read for any reader of suspense. It draws you in so quickly and tenaciously, you won't be able to put it down until you're finished. You simply cannot afford to miss reading it. --

Jordan Zed, singer/songwriter

***** 5 Stars (Excellent Read)

I have to admit that I have never read any of Joan Hall Hovey's books until I read this one. Now, I'm truly sorry I didn't discover this author's worth earlier.

In Listen to the Shadows, Ms. Hovey gives us a chilling, and very believable, insight into the mind and motivations of a true sociopathic killer. Obsession, icy lack of emotion or real feeling for another human being, and more. To say this book is a spine-tingler of the first order is to do it a grave injustice. It is a brilliant novel that portrays just how wrong a human mind can go; to the limits of insanity.

I won't spoil the story by telling the audience what the book is about or how it ends. Let's just say that if you miss out on this one, you've missed one of the best thrillers written in this century.

As well as penning suspense novels like 'Listen To The Shadows' and 'Nowhere To Hide', Joan Hall Hovey's articles and short stories have appeared in such diverse publications as The Reader, Atlantic Advocate, The Toronto Star, Mystery Scene, True Confessions, Home Life magazine, Seek and various other magazines and newspapers. Her short story, Dark Reunion was selected for the Anthology, Investigating Women, published by Simon & Pierre, edited by David Skene-Melvin.

Joan Hall Hovey is also a writing instructor. She lives in Gondola Point, New Brunswick, Canada, in a modest but comfortable home overlooking the banks of the Kennebecasis River, with her husband, fat cat, Sasha, and neurotic poodle, CoCo. She is currently working on her third suspense novel.

Ariana Overton, Author and Senior Editor/Clocktower Fiction.com

Written with the finesse and grace of a master, Joan Hall Hovey's first novel, LISTEN To THE SHADOWS, is an engrossing tale of fear and danger certain to keep the reader awake, turning pages long after bed time, and listening carefully to everything around them.

A man without a conscious stalks artist Katie Summers. She hasn't seen him, but she senses his presence. A tingling on the back of the neck, a flicker out of the corner of the eye, and an instinctual awareness of danger are her only warnings.

Stood up by her date late one night, Katie leaves the restaurant alone to drive through a storm to her remote country home. She doesn't notice the headlights following her. But when she does glance in the rearview mirror, the sight of a dead man's sightless blue eyes staring back at her results in a nearly fatal accident. She doesn't know, as she lies unconscious and bleeding, with her car crushed by a telephone pole, that her stalker lurks close by, watching.

After four days in a coma, Katie awakens in the hospital. There she meets Dr Johnathan Shea, a sexy, vibrant, man carrying a heavy load of guilt over the loss of a young patient. A romantic interest develops, spiced by fierce attraction, sexy intrigue and danger. But the question remains as to whether he will be enough to protect Katie from a madman.

Joan is a powerful new voice in the world of suspense and mystery. Her tight plot, well-developed characters and originality will satisfy the reader's craving for tension and danger. I certainly look forward to more novels by the promising author with great eagerness.

As a former law enforcement officer who served with a crime scene unit, an avid reader and contributing editor to a national law enforcement magazine, I am too frequently disappointed when a perfectly well told story falters over details of events,actions or other descriptions that are blatantly inaccurate. "Murder and Mayhem" is an excellenct source for writers who wish to avoid these mistakes.

Dr. Lyle not only provides answers to questions posed by writers accurately, his answers are presented in a manner that laymen (and espeically their prospective readers) can understand. The books added value is that the examples he uses are geared to specific literary situations.

This is a 'must have' addition to any mystery or cirme writer's reference shelf.

This volume contains detailed description of the why and wherefore of injury suffered to the human body. It covers injuries both traumatic and violent or otherwise... and treatments for. Highly recommended reading for the serious writer and the curious reader alike.

A writer's perspective, Dr. Lyle had a unique view of what is allowed and how to present it to a reader. This collection is composed of articles from a column first presented in Mystery Writers of America newsletter. It takes a little digging to unearth some specific detail and lacks an index.
When seeking specific information it is best to use what I've termed "the fingernail approach" -- run your finger down the page and soon or later you will find it. The book has some excellent line drawings for writers not versed in anatomy. A good place to start when searching for how to bump off your victim and confuse the investigation.
The style lends itself well to just taking it a chapter at a time to fill in gaps of knowledge before you go Net search. Remember in a investigation when confronting the killer, never ask a question you don't already know the answer to.
Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil WarUnder the Liberty OakQualifying Laps: A Brewster County Novel

I've used this book as a reference while writing my first novel. Its very helpful. I'll use it again on my next. Cold Eyes

I have used this book numerous times since I purchased it new a year ago. If the answer I'm searching for isn't in this book, Lyle gives enough general information that I know what questions to ask my medical contacts when I touch base with them.

Definately worth full price, this book is packed with timely and detailed information mystery and crime writers need today.

Angela Wilson
Author

Oh man! This book is wonderful and is an execellent tool for getting at-risk students into writing. I love that this book has many examples to explain the written text so that one can understand what she is actually talking about. Lucy Calkins, watch out!

This is a fantastic book that provides practical ideas to implement in any Writing classroom. The author refers often to an elementary classroom but I have been able to use many of the ideas with my 8th graders. If you are just starting writing workshop and need a reliable source for organization this is a great resource!

This is not one of those books that will collect dust on a shelf. It will be read and reread many times! It is a great resource for any teacher of writing! Thank you Aimee Buckler! This book contains a wealth of organized and practical strategies that will add to any writing program. Buckler gives teachers easy to model tools to pass on to their students. She gives many examples from literature that can be used as springboards for specific areas. I will never look at notebooks the same! What an inspirational addition to my teaching library!

I am torn by this book- the first half was full of ideas and lessons that I felt would help me improve writing instruction. The second half was not, at least for me. The writing is brillant and down-to-earth. Buckner has good ideas and great real world lessons.

The downside for me was the amount of time it would take for me to do everything- the ideas work best for self-contained teachers.

Do I recommend this book? Absolutely.

I heard about this book in a workshop, and decided to check it out for myself. Basically, I did find some good ideas on how to shake up my student's writing folder experience. However, most of the book was something I already knew and did.

I'd suggest this book for new ELA teachers, or ones who are rusty. However, it is always a good idea to keep looking for new ideas no matter how "old and dusty" a teacher you are.

I picked this book out of the "take one" basket of shared books at my local Curves. In leafing through it, I was surprised I hadn't already discovered and ordered it -- I usually pounce on new women's fiction. But for some reason, I'd missed it when it came out. As others have said, this book is a true gem. Funny, poignant, wise, filled with situations that will make you shake your head and/or nod with agreement, it is a terrific read. In fact, it's a must read for any woman who is married or thinking of getting married. And yes, the recipes ARE delicious and a delightful bonus. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I loved this book....couldn't put it down. I am an Irish American grandmother, and I totally relate to the dynamics of the men and women in this book. Having been married (happily) for 44 years, I could see the wisdom on every page. Highly recommend it for all couples "trying to figure out what's going on in their marriages". Commitment is the key word here. I am sending a copy to everyone I know.

I'm a forty-something ex-romantic who has pretty much sworn off fiction. I picked this up on a whim at the library and read it in a day and a half. I was a little worried when it started out a bit copy cat of Sex and the City but it quickly evolved into its own. It is artfully organized and written, intelligent, insightful and..... romantic!

Morag Prunty shows not only great insight into the workings of marriage, but an honesty that is often quite raw. Both main characters are women whose stories are told in the first person. Their thoughts and attitudes can be quite disturbing, making them seem very harsh, self absorbed and unlikable at times, but reflecting what goes through the minds of people in an honest way... thoughts we would never want actually heard by others! At the same time with all this psychology going on, it's pretty light and enjoyable reading. I recommend this book to anyone, but especially those newly married who may be going through their own feelings of let down and disillusionment because the stories of it's women characters not only express how common these feelings can be, but, as in the grandmother's character, it shows us where it can lead if those feelings are held on to grudgingly for a lifetime. Having said all this I must add that at book's end I felt very inspired by this novel.

I am not the type of reader that will sit down and read a whole book in one evening, but I could not put it down. I am not married yet, but this book taught me that love is not just what marriages are made of. A marriage is made of commitment, loyalty and the willingness to be there no matter what. This book made me cried and touched me in ways that not often books do. Read it, have some kleenex available and enjoy it. And when you are done, give your husband or boyfriend a big hug and tell them how much you love them.

What motivated our American forefathers to take up arms against each other? Jack Maples has given us a story where confronting this question doesn't boil down to a simple argument for one ideology over another. This book gave me a better appreciation of the role individual, personal motivations played in the minds of men who fought this war. I'm also convinced the richness of detail in historical accuracy lent a depth to the storytelling that made for very satisfying reading - even for someone with only passing interest in the Civil War. Towards the end of the story, as Caleb returns to Gettysburg for a reunion with his rebel unit, one can't help but be moved by the scene. A good read and a powerful story.

Reconstructed Yankee is a novel set during the civil war, and it follows one man's struggle to live and find his place in a hostile world. Caleb Parker is one of 257,000 free persons of color living in the Confederacy; when war breaks out, he and his best friend enlist in the Union militia, yet Yankee atrocities force them to change sides and fight for the Confederacy. After the war, Caleb encounters extreme discrimination in reconstructed North Carolina; he takes his family to New York, hoping to find more tolerance, yet racism and segregation persist, leading him to ponder whether the bloody Civil War accomplished anything good at all. A harrowing and thought provoking insight into individual and societal failings and legacies.

A new edition of Reconstructed Yankee now is available. The hardcover ISBN is 1-59411-087-5; the softcover ISBN is 1-59411-088-3. Please enter the applicable ISBN under a "Books" search to locate this product.

As a native Tennessean, I was captivated by the well-researched and well-written descriptions of people and places throughout the South. The characters and situations were very much like people that my grandparents had heard about from their relatives and talked about as I grew up. Descriptions of the battles were authentic-and a good reminder that war, even when fought at a distance, is still horrible and painful.

This was not a fast read-I savored every word and look forward to Jack Maples' next offering.

This book is an easy-to-read novel that deals with the Civil War. It is quite informative and very interesting. By reading this book, I was able to have a whole new perspective and outlook on the Civil War. This book is one of the great ones!!! Definitely pick it up..

The book explains a simple method to analyze and rewrite a sentence. The first fifty pages felt redundant, but slowly changed my view of writing. I now don't look at copy the way I used to. I'm using the method to write this review. The typical author can cut down copy by more than 50% to clearly convey a point, while respecting the reader's attention. I found the book in the bibliography of the Nuts and Bolts of College Writing, another outstanding book.

I have the 2nd Edition with the $8.00 price tag still stuck on it. 20 years ago, this was a required text for Technical Writing. Now I'm writing my first technical book, and picked it up the other day. What a shock! It's still relevant, quick, funny, and very inspiring. How many college texts hold up that well?

Here's the thing. Revising Prose practices what it preaches. It shows how to mercilessly cut filler, sharpen your opinion, and ultimately to say what you really want to say. That it does this in much, much less than the usual 300 pages shows that it works pretty darn well.

Let's face it. You pay much more for a small diamond than a big piece of cubic zirconium. This is a true diamond of a book.

I'm working toward my MFA in creative writing, and ran across this book during editing classes for my BA years ago. It was a required text, and I wish I'd had it much earlier.

While ostensibly for business, academic or technical writing, I've found it very useful for fiction and creative non-fiction. If nothing else, it illustrates clearly how combinations of particular words create certain effects for the reader (examples of how to best confuse, bore, or torment a reader are always useful!) I've bought it as a gift for other writers, recommended it to collegues at work, and use the ideas in the Paramedic Method to "get the lard out" of all my writing. This book is useful to anyone who wants to write clearly. Like most of the better books on writing, it's also short, precise, and occasionally funny.

I teach college rhetoric and composition, and I ultimately decided not to order this book for my classes. The information and explanations are as good as any I've seen in a writing handbook, but I cannot justify asking students to pay this much for a book that is essentially a supplement to another textbook. The book is short and small, and I can only imagine the students' reactions when picking up the slim little volume in the student stores and seeing the price tag. They'd be too mad to read the darn thing. I give it five stars for content, but 1 star for price. Where is the price coming from? There are few copyrighted items reprinted and no color illustrations. It's just original prose in black and white in a tiny paperback. It's absurd to charge that much! I'll be placing it on reserve.

I have the 4th edition of this book, which is about 50 pages less than the 5th edition. The first two chapters and the appendix are excellent. The rest of the book is very repetitive, although periodically interesting. The author offers unique advice. I now wish I had ordered the 5th edition to see if the other 50 pages contains new information.

I have received but not started his "Analyzing Prose" book, which is very substantial and appears to contain similar material.

John Dunbar
Sugar Land, TX