Johnston Books

The Mark of Zorro is the first Zorro story, retitled for publication in many different book editions.

Repression and oppressive taxation grows in one corner of California. Don Diego Viega, whose picture might just be beside the word 'fop' if California had a dictionary, can do nothing about it.

As one of the local military says "he is about as dangerous as a lizard basking in the sun".

The same cannot be said for Zorro. The Fox offers the local peons some hope, and does what he can to foment resistance.

When the moneygrubbing goes to far and some of the reasonably well liked local aristocracy are imprisoned, things come to a head, especially after the flogging of the local friar.

In an amusing scene, Senorita Pulido gets herself out of captivity by holding herself hostage. Luckily, while fleeing, Zorro is on hand.

Comedy, and action, and romance as Zorro saves the day.

Well worth reading.

Excellent reading of old Spanish California - Paladin of Justice.
Recommend to young and/or old - global audiences.
Thought provoking and suspenseful filled with witt.

We all know the story of Zorro by now. I, myself, read The Mark of Zorro more than two decades ago, when I was a child and the copy I read was titled The Curse of Capistrano. No doubt, more people have seen the various Zorro films than have read the actual book, which started the Zorro legend. Johnston McCulley first introduced his iconic character in a five-part serial in the pulp magazine All Story Weekly, in 1919. The story proved to be popular enough, but this masked avenger really took off when silent film star Douglas Fairbanks read it and subsequently made it into the silent swashbuckling film The Mark of Zorro in 1920. Since then, Senor Zorro has never looked back.

Before re-reading this novel, I was afraid that I would find the writing stilted and archaic. Happily, the page-turning experience proved to be as reader-friendly as I remembered it. True, you do have to get into a certain mindset to get used to the writing style (this is classic pulp writing, after all), but, once you do, you'll be swept along. Zorro, nicknamed the Curse of Capistrano and the defender of Old California's oppressed, was still the same vibrant Zorro - dashing, bold, cunning, and intolerant of injustice. He still flashed that certain twinkle in the eye and displayed that playful nature. Handsome, wealthy Don Diego Vega, on the other hand, was still the dubious caballero, unbolstered by his languid, foppish mannerisms and hindered by the weak constitution. Upon seeking a girl's hand in marriage, Don Diego announced to her father that he would send his servant over at night to serenade the girl by proxy, because the chill night wind would kill the delicate Vega. Of course, we all know it's a game that Diego's been playing for years and his devotion to his wussy role makes it all the more delicious for the reader. Also, I was again struck by how delightful and plucky the beautiful love interest, Senorita Lolita Pulido, was.

Another thing I didn't recall was how long it took before Zorro's alter ego was divulged to the reader, although McCulley didn't really try too hard to hide his secret identity. People ignorant of the Zorro mythos (and under which rock have you been hiding?) would still be readily able to figure out who Zorro really is. However, the novel was almost at the last page before Zorro finally unmasked. But it was worth it to witness the stunned but happy reaction of Diego's father, Don Alejandro Vega, who had long been disappointed with his wimpish son.

To echo A. Nesbitt's spotlight review, if you thought Johnston McCulley only wrote this one Zorro adventure, think again. McCulley ended up writing more than 60 Zorro stories (65, to be exact), several of which were in serial format. The last Zorro tale, "The Mask of Zorro," was published in 1959 (Short Stories for Men magazine).

Full of derring-do, sword fights, daring escapes, a passionate love story, and a masked hero who laughs scornfully in the face of danger, it's escapism at its finest, imbued with a Spanish/Mexican flavor. Yes, it does borrow a bit from The Scarlet Pimpernel, but no matter. The Mark of Zorro is still as entertaining a read today as it undoubtedly was back in 1919. Give it a try and see why Zorro is hailed as the people's champion and why this book gave birth to so many reincarnations in cinema.

I liked this story quite a bit. I remember when I was a little kid watching The Zorro show on television so I was interested in reading this book and see how it all started. I thought overall it was really good.. Senorita Lolita sounds like a very attractive girl. I like how the story ended as well sort of caught me off guard a bit. If your any at all interested in Zorro then pick this book up.. Good stuff.

Justin

I found "The Mark of Zorro" to be a wonderful romp through a bygone era.
I read this book out loud to my father, and we could hardly put it down. If you like swashbuckling adventures, heroes who stand against injustice and play their part in the struggle between good and evil. Then "The Mark of Zorro" is for you. And if you enjoy finding the origins of things, as much as I do, then this book will be well
worth your wile. A true gem for anyone's collection.

I will be keeping this book next to my beside for years to come! Dr. Johnston's writing is not only eloquent and engaging, but her themes are bright and strong. This book is a must-read for any woman feeling lost in her own skin and in society. My relationship with myself and my food will never be the same again!

Reading this book has been wonderful for me. It provides survival tools in the form of stories and metaphors so they are easy to remember and call on when in distress. It separates weight from the issue, and suggests a more holistic and psychological approach toward resolution.

I recommend this for anyone who suffers from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or compulsive eating disorder.

This is an incredible book. It is beautifully written in a way which is easy to understand. The stories are so profound. I recommend it for all women, especialy those with disordered eating.

"Eating in the Light of the Moon" is hands down the best book on disordered eating I have yet to read, because it sheds light on the painful struggle with uplifting, inspiring storytelling. Johnston's soft, delicate voice will weave you through tales of distant lands which somehow bring you to the shore of self-discovery. This book does use psychology as the basis for its generalizations, but I never found it to be too preachy. Like saying good-bye to your favorite characters at the end of a novel, you will not want this story to end. It is one giant affirmation, and I recommend it especially to women who long to reclaim their hidden or lost feminine.

For people who want to recover from an eating disorder this book is a must for your library. It is conforting, interesting and soulful. It prompts the inner self to open its mouth and get ready to be fed what will truly nourish you.

An eating disorder can be a catalyst to your growth as a person if you surrender to it with awareness and be open to its teachings. This book can help you do that. When you really know what you need besides behaviors of an eating disorder then you can go about the task of learning and working in partnership with life to create what you are really wanting and desiring.

If you are new in recovery this book helps open the door to the deeper self and prepares you for a journey. If you are already in recovery and want another affirming voice to add to your support system, this book will help.

Words Their Way is an excellent source for teachers to use for word study. It gives great insight into how kids learn to spell.

It's been shown that spelling provides a window to one's reading. This book explains the developmental stages children go through K- adult. The database software on one of the CDs that allows one to analyze the spelling inventories and sort the results is very easy to use. Classroom teachers appreciate the data I have been able to give them on their students. The word games and short videos on the 2nd CD are very helpful. The analytical phonics approach is very kid-friendly right up through high school. This is a very thorough resource that every ELA, SpEd, and Title I teacher should use.

The book is outstanding. The materials in the book is easy to read and follow. I use the activities and word sorts in my classroom each day. I have used the spelling inventory with my class, also.
I do have a problem with the CD that came with the book. I wish the word sorts involving words would be big like the picture sorts are. My students have trouble with the small size of squares.

This is a great resource. It gives many examples of how to impliment the program. One thing I really like about Words Their Way is the fact that is hands on. This will really help my students who are more concrete thinkers.

My children attended a public school where this program was used. When I brought them home due to their various LDs/allergies, I balked at the $40 price tag of this book and opted for the less expensive Spectrum Spelling books for their grade level. I found those to be rather annoying because often my children already knew the words. And the ones they didn't know, they would spell correctly on the tests, but they didn't necessarily continue to spell the words correctly in their writing. Mid-way through the year I abandoned the Spectrum books and purchased this one.

My favorite thing about this approach is how the kids really think about and interact with the words. It is a disciplined program, I require my kids to do a word sort and an activity in their spelling journals every day -- their choice. However, this typically takes less than 10 minutes a day.

The other thing I do is pretest the kids every week to find out which words they need to study. If they already know a spelling pattern, then I don't give it to them and move on to the next one. Sometimes I pull misspelled words out of their writing, and then find the pattern that applies and give them those words for the week.

I will say, that for most homeschoolers, this book is pretty heavy on the theory, and the "how-to" is mixed up with the theory so it may take more work up front to start the program if you are unfamiliar with the idea of spelling notebooks and word activities. But it is quite fascinating, and will give you a new appreciation for a young child's emerging spelling skills, as well as concrete strategies for helping older students with more complex words.

As for content, the book covers spelling from pre-K through at least middle school, perhaps early high school.

And the CD-Rom is a real time-saver too, with its words for sorts and activities.

All in all, quite effective, very interesting, and a great value - you buy this once and then purchase simple notebooks or composition books for their spelling journals, and you are set for years to come.

This book covers a lot of stuff in a compact guide. For a short trip, or for a longer trip, it is worth it in terms of value: financial, information and size. It doesn't have extraneous information and it is helpful for walking tours of different neighborhoods. It includes assorted unique details, like about gardens and architecture which makes the information very interesting. And, it even includes information on restaurants and food, making it complete.

My partner Jeb and I returned last week from an amazing trip in Mexico City. We had sought out a guide to the city and found this one online. We had read quite a bit from other sources but found things here that appealed to our sense of wanting to "get to know the place" rather than simply hitting the greatest hits alone.


We quickly found ourselves carrying this book with us as so many moments we spent following Jim Johnston's lead were quite amazing. In addition to fantastic food advice, this guide is written with enough restraint not to squander the impact of "discovery". We had many of these fine experiences - the fantastic cakes at Pasteleria Ideal , the joy of the "wet dog" park in La Condessa, and the surprise on first seeing the psychedelic dining room on the approach to La Gruta were really gratifying examples.


We are already planning future trips to Mexico City and spending time in La Roma and La Condessa made us think to seek out short term rentals there. This book shares special information not found in other guides and is written with a personal passion that will really add value and authenticity to your trip.

I just returned from Mexico City and cannot say enough about how much I depended on this book. While any mainstream guidebook can point out the common sites, this one takes you off the beaten track and leads you through tours of less frequented neighborhoods. Its like having a (very well informed) local right there with you. I felt as if I could make an entire trip just by following the walking tours and food recommendations. Certainly get another book for details like street and subway maps, but use this one to plan your days and get to know the real Mexico City.

The little book on Mexico City by Jim Johnston is quite wonderful. As someone who has visited there many times, he still offers places that were new to me, and frankly, it was fun to read about places I'd already seen, as he brought a fresh point of view to them. Getting taxis in this bustling town is crucial and I much appreciated his listing all the hidden spots where one could get a safe cab. His one page riffs on various cultural aspects of Mexico are gems, especially one on surrealism and another of friendliness. This book does what any first-rate travel guide should do, it made me want to get on the first plane back to Mexico City.

I bought several travel guides before I went to Mexico City. This was the only one that I took with me every day before I left the hotel. The walking tours, restaurant recommendations and travel information are exactly what you need for an insider's look into Mexico City. I lent the book to some family before they went to Mexico City and they agreed, this was the best Mexico City book.

Excellent layout and binding that allows you to leave it open to the page your following. Easy to follow instruction and pics for the visual learner. Love it and looking forward to the projects!

Very detailed and organized. I am glad I bought the book. As a beginner in stained glass this met my needs.

Quick, easy and lots of pictures. Binding allows all the pages to turn easily, preventing the pages from 'closing' up on you while you try to follow the instructions.

I have been checking out many of the books that are available and this one gives the best directions and it has made my first project half way easy.

The title says it all. I went from never having worked with stained glass to completing the first two projects in the book - and it was fun! Now, I'm working on my first original stained glass design. This book is great for anyone new to stained glass - the step by step instructions would probably be excrutiatingly slow to someone who already has a lot of experience, but they were exactly what I needed to get started! I also really liked the explanation of all the most common tools and equipment.

Of the eleven novels by Wendell Berry in the Port William saga, Hannah Coulter is probably the best. It is a complete life told with great sensitivity of a poor girl and an outsider to the families written about in the other novels of the saga. Hannah has great determination and ability to overcome her limitations with the help of her grandmother and the Feltner, Coulter and Catlett families. The story covers the period from 1922 until the turn of the century. It is an epic tale.

This is one of the best books I have read - a wonderful book of community and belonging

In his Port William novels, Wendell Berry has built a community of nostalgia and gentleness that provides an opportunity to redirect our attention, for at least a time, from the day's most discouraging headlines. Enough of modern society trickles into the edges of Hannah Coulter's story, however, that we are reminded she may very well be our own contemporary.

This is the story of a woman widowed twice, who has never had extreme wealth but who seems to have learned contentedness in most situations and to be quietly resigned to the rest. Is she an idealized and not fully real character? Probably, but that could also be said of some of the many angst-drenched lead characters in other contemporary fiction, and I admit I find someone like this far more interesting.

The difference in her world from that of so many of the rest of us is summed up by another Port William resident's summary of what has happened to her children who have moved on to Ohio, California, and beyond.

"Andy said, 'You're worried because they've left the membership,' and he smiled...They've gone over from the world of membership to the world of organization. Nathan would say the world of employment.'...One of the attractions of moving away into the world of employment, i think, is being disconnected and free, unbothered by membership.It is a life of beginnings without memories, but it is a life too that ends without being remembered. The life of membership with all its cumbers is traded away for the life of employment that makes itself free by forgetting you clean as a whistle when you are not of any more use. When they get to retirement age, [my children] will be cast out of place and out of mind like worn-out replaceable parts, to be alone at the last maybe and soon forgotten.

"'But the membership,' Andy said, 'keeps the memories even of horses and mules and milk cows and dogs.'"

And that is the magic of Berry's writing; his telling of stories of those who are still *members* of a community helps keep their memories alive and reminds us of our own need to find our own community within our own spaces.

I don't always agree with Berry. Sometimes I agree with his dianoses but wonder what practical solution there is for the problems he notices. But one thing I must say is that he is able to beautifully capture the pathos and wonder of human community. Quite simply this is a beautiful meditation on life and relationship. If you do not come away longing for or at least pondering community and what it means you may want to check you pulse. His descriptions of married life are sublime.
A few random questions I have as I read the Port William novels:
-What would happen if an Italian immigrant moved to Port William? Would they be welcome?
-What is evil? Would you ever want to just kick someone out because they were so bad?
-Should I just let the effect of the novel wash over me or should I respond to a larger message?

ok.. I read this a year ago and loved it! It is elegantly written and soulful and kind. BUT after reading Wallace Stegner's 'Crossing to Safety'..and re-reading a chapter of 'Hannah Coulter', I'm afraid this book falls downward into a whole other category of writing. In my mind, 'Hannah Coulter' lacks humor..detail.. and the complexities of marriage. While Berry doesn't sugarcoat or gloss over his characters, he doesn't go into as much depth as I'd like, leaving me wondering and frustrated as to what's really going on inside Hannah, Nathan, and all the other folks of Port William. There just must be a whole lot more than 'everything's fine' in bucolic Port William..

The beauty of Stegner's book is that he manages to write 300 some odd pages on 'very quiet lives' and I truly hated for the book to end. With 'Hannah', I was left wanting more, not at just the end, but throughout the entire read.

Elegant in its simplicity, powerful and profound in its application -- this is a superb, practical primer on leadership.

The US Marine Corp's version of Sun Tzu's Art of War. Concise and direct as would be expected from the Marines, yet with depth enough to make the points clear. A wonderful work for explaining how the Marines fight wars and a good resource for a competive advantage in any context. A handy resource for the military or military history enthusiast. A must read for every Marine. Insight for business leaders and more.

I liked this because it's direct(no psychological excuses for your inadequacy). It's short so there's no wading through opinion and hearsay. It's timeless because it's based on principle. It's applicable like Danforth's "I Dare You"(you have to think:"how does this apply to my life"). It's fully referenced so you can dig deeper.I catch myself going back and rereading it all the time(no you can't borrow mine).

This is the best book that I've ever read regarding military doctrine-- it elegantly sums up the most relevant points of Clausewitz and Boyd's OODA Loop to come to sound military principle in less than 100 pages. It also includes a number of references to the Eastern military philosophy (think Art of War and the Book of Five Rings, both required reading for the Japanese businessman) and ties them to our Western military philosophy quite elegantly.

If you aren't familiar with Clausewitz then I'd recommend picking up On Strategy by Summers; Warfighting will not give you all of the elements necessary to understand concepts like Friction.

This book travels with me wherever I go-- it is relevant to business and even personal development and is more than worth the price being charged for it.

Warfighting was written for the Marine unfamiliar with maneuver warfare to pick up, flip through, memorize the axioms, and apply in battle. As such, like most other field manuals issued to soldiers, it is a distillation of a large swath of ideas from Sun Tzu to Liddell-Hart. That said, it packs a good punch for such a small work. If, however, you're looking for a more detailed illustration of the principles outlined here, you might take a look at B.H. Liddell-Hart's "Strategy" as well as Thomas Cleary's translation of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War."

Additionally, those westerners who enjoy axioms focusing on the flux of life, war, or what have you might also like to take a look at Heraclitus' "Fragments." The basic tenets of Taoism that permeate Sun Tzu (and, by proxy, "Warfighting") can be equally well found in Heraclitus. His primary "thesis" if you will, "nothing is stationary, life is flux," is the axiom upon which maneuver warfare strategy is founded.

This is a great book if you are going to embark on building a house. The author is very good at outlining things and it is also not boring. I've highlighted so many things in the book that I didn't know and need to consider or do. A must have for anyone who is going to build a new house or tackle a large renovation!

As a building professional (licensed general contractor since 1991), I think that this book by Amy Johnston is an excellent resource in preparing a person to undertake a building project. The book is chock full of practical, insightful information that gives consumers a 'peek behind the curtain' of building contractors, as well as the building process in general.

Over the years, I have heard of many construction horror stories and am dismayed to see builders with great marketing but little integrity continue to do project after project. If more consumers would take the time and effort to educate themselves about the building process, there would be far less 'money pit' experiences on building projects. This book makes it easy to be an informed consumer.

This book was an excellent resource - helps make you a more savvy owner. You will better understand both the process and the contractor's mindset. Good guidance on where to focus and how to avoid pitfalls.
Would also recommend Hiring Contractors Without Going through Hell.

there are thousands of books on the general subject of home renovation. for the important steps that take you from idea/dream to budgeted plan and actual work, this is the perfect guide. ms. johnston is a rare author whose main objectives are to inform and support. readers of this book, if they're anything like my partner and me, will be empowered to pursue their ideas in a realistic, fiscally disciplined way. after reading ms. johnston's book, we feel like agents or real participants in renovating our home, and not hope-filled homeowners eager to make someone else's labor work for us. we know what work we can do, and what work we need someone else to do. this is an excellent place to begin planning an addition or home renovation. it's a text you can return to again and again throughout your process. (i understand that a revised edition will be published in january 2008. i have the first edition, and will buy the new one. these comments refer to the original edition.)

I read and I reread this book often. We are getting ready to build and this is one of the most helpful reads that I have found. If you buy this book, you WILL stay one step ahead of the game.

This morning, lying on my back, motionless and spreadeagled on the bed in the midst of a series of cataclysmic orgasms I found a small corner of my brain which remained capable of coherent thought hazily mulling over how a $30 CD could have taken an apparently flagging and almost moribund libido (I'm getting on in life) and bring it to the condition where I can now readily call up a practically unlimited sequence of orgasmic events of a kind and intensity I never knew existed.

It was last August when I purchased Jack's audio CD and I've been practicing his Key Sound protocol since then. Although I had some surprising and encouraging success in my first few days of KS practice I had no illusions that I'd arrived at the full potential of the experience because from all accounts considerable investment in training one's body might be required to fully develop the skill. This has turned out to be true for me. But progress has been sustained and each day still brings forth new and surprising events.

I can now start a session at practically any time and easily and quickly get into a sequence of orgasms of a level of intensity which far exceeds anything that I've experienced before in a long life of sexual experimentation and adventuring. Additionally, the orgasms' peaks are interspersed by involuntary surges of what Jack calls "echoes" which render, for me, feelings of ecstatic and unearthly bodily sensations many of which leave me utterly stupefied for a minute or two. The great thing is because ejaculation does not occur there is little expediture of physical energy involved and it is possible for me to effortlessly sustain a session for as long as time permits. The other day I finished an extreme three-hour session feeling as fresh as a daisy and ready to pick up where I left off, at any time.

Jack's CD is well presented and easy to follow. But, as he points out, don't assume that that this skill can be achieved without dedicated practice. However, that was no problem for me because the fun and excitement started from day two and is still getting better each day.

It's hard for me to believe what an unexpected and incredible enhancement the KSMMO has brought to my life. For $30! - It's a giveaway! The CD is now in a picture frame on the wall.

Regarding Jack's Key Sound, I never encountered any need to "roar" it out loud and I don't think that Jack says that it's necessary to do so. In fact, in my early days of practice I would use a quiet breathy version of the sound which was entirely adequate for me. Currently I seem to have progressed beyond the the Key Sound and rarely need to use it. Criticism of the KS protocol as an essentially noisy operation seems to me to be entirely misguided. Like conventional intercourse, you can make it as quiet or as screamingly noisy as you feel inclined to do.

Mog

I am kicking myself since last night. Reason: I bought this cd from amazon 2 years ago. I listened for about 30 minutes. The key sound was too weird and I thought the author was some looney guy (sorry Jack). Then I rechecked all reviews and found that all good reviewers had only one review that for this cd. It helped plant further doubts about this multiple orgasm technique and I threw the cd away.

Yesterday while going through my old cds I came across the MMO cd again. For the heck of it, I listed to it completely. Yesterday evening I lay on my bed and applied the key sound technique. On every sexual energy spike or when I was breathing heavily, I would grasp that moment, do a belly breath and use the key sound. Then on I used the key sound after every 4 - 5 breaths. 30 minutes later my entire body was tingling intensely for about 10 - 20 minutes. It was a very pleasurable feeling. I immediately wrote to Jack and asked him about questions I had. Jack replied immediately and this morning I tried the key sound technique with my girlfriend. Sure enough in about 20 - 25 minutes of using the key sound, I had not ejaculated and instead the intense tingling sensation intensified, but this time I kept going on and sure enough I arrived at the orgasmic point - only this time it was internal. The shocking thing was the orgasmic emotional point (the point of physical ejaculation) lasted not for the traditional/usual 1 millisecond but continued for minutes. The beautiful millisecond which men crave for, which happed at the point of ejaculation actually stayed for 10 - 15 minutes. A state of the highest emotional bliss I have ever experienced.

After a year of trying pc muscle the barbara keesling way or the Mantek Chia way, I had reached nowhere. once or twice I had a slight experience of tingling when I had used the mantek chia's teachings of moving the sexual energy through the microcosmic orbit, but it is beyond an average person's power to control the pc muscle so as not to ejaculate.

Jack Johnston key sound though sounds weird is but the one easy way to multiple orgasms. Just to clarify - Multiple orgasms are not physical ejaculations but whole body orgasms happening in succession.

Two years ago I thought this key sound was so foolish. Since last evening I've realized it was just me who was for not having given this new technique a chance.

In this age of tantra and other things, there is no reason why you and your partner should feel odd about trying this new technique. I am simply blown away by how simple the path to MMO has been made by this key sound technique.

Jack Johnson's MMO audio cd really expands oneself beyond the physical sexual pleasure. The MMO audio CD is not limited to use by men, but also women as well. I am a very satisfied customer and would recommend this easy-to-use audio CD for any man-woman and even couples. This audio CD enhances the sexual pleasure!!
Lynn Sinner

I ordered Jack Johnston's seminar from Amazon.com a couple of months ago and I am already having amazing and life changing results!

This training will take you thru the gate to "dry orgasms" with no ejaculation!(just the orgasm!) This allows you to have many wonderful orgasms in one session! You simply follow the KSMO protocol and the rewards you can reap are out of this world!

Best investment I have ever made in myself!

The seminar disk also allows you to access the members web site, where there is a wealth of resources: real life-changing stories, informative articles, live chat sessions and a wonderful, positive atmosphere where everyone helps each other to achieve their own desired goals. (It has been a kind of on-line family here, actually???)

This is a "must have" for anyone wanting to explore their own sexuality and the exciting world of sexual possibilities...

Later, Hlaser99

P.S. It works as well for men, women or couples!

I don't know about this product... I admit I haven't seen or heard it!

I might have been interested, but when I examined customer reviews I encounter 18 fantastic raveing reviews, almost all written by individuals with no other product reviews! (odd coincidence???)
Then I also noticed that all these reviews were stylistically similar enough that if I was a college English teacher I would suspect at most two or three different authors!

I know that you may believe in your product, but customer reviews are written by CUSTOMERS, otherwise they are misrepresentations, even if their content is factual.

Wilbers is nationally recognized columnist on writing. His book combines the best ideas and examples on how to write simply, and on how to write well. He captures the heart and flavor of numerous other books on writing and rhetoric, and presents them in a simple, readable, understandable style. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is not only an easy read, but an enjoyable one. The examples of good and bad writing clearly illustrate a running theme in the book: It is not just what you say, but how you say it that matters in effective writing. My law partners liked this book so much that we distributed copies to partners and associates alike, and I personally gave copies to everyone in my family attending high school or college. At the present price, buying this book is a "no-brainer." This book is also well indexed, which makes it useful as a reference. I keep a copy on my desk.

Stephen Wilbers' "Keys to Great Writing" is a wonderful book. I've read most of the classic books on writing and this is by far my favorite. Even when presenting well-known advice ("Omit needless words"), the examples are fresh and usually better than wherever I first read such advice ("Elements of Style" in that case). Wilbers has a very sly sense of humor that pops through in many sections.

The book is split into three sections. The first covers the "keys to great writing" (economy, precision, action, music, and personality). The second covers "Elements of Composition." The last section is by far the smallest but was perhaps the most useful to me. It is on the writing process itself.

I enjoyed the book so much that I tracked down the author via email and paid him to review two chapters of the next book I'm writing. I wanted to see how well I'd done at taking his advice from the book.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

I bought this book for a guide to improve my writing skills for work as well as my module assignments.

Intelligent, well organized and fun to read, this book is a "must have" if you want to improve your own writing or help others to improve theirs.

I'm using this text for an on-line writing course. The author has put everything in easy-to-understand language and includes a bit of humor along the way. Excellent advice, hints, and ideas.