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Bryson Dictionary of Troublesome Words A Writer Guide to Getting It Right Bill Bryson Books

Download As PDF : Bryson Dictionary of Troublesome Words A Writer Guide to Getting It Right Bill Bryson Books

Bryson Dictionary of Troublesome Words A Writer Guide to Getting It Right Bill Bryson Books

On the same day, I ordered two used copies from 2 different sellers. They both arrived as promised...and in near "Bookstore" condition. BONUS...one of them was signed by Mr. Bryson. I had just become aquainted with Bill Bryson months before when I was given his audiobook of "At Home"...which I have in my car and listen to when on the road. I listen to it in short segments as he offers so much information...my mind goes in to overload. I then ordered his "In the Woods" in audio which was delightful and a fairly "quick listen!" He has a huge store of information and a delightful way of sharing it. Even the Dictionary of Troublesome Words will make you smile. I love grammar so I love this book, "albeit" it did not have two of my favorite words included..."ergo" I should only give it 4 stars...but I acquiesced and give it a 5!! I have enjoyed all of his works to this point and hope to add more to my library. If you like words...this is a fun read!


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Bryson Dictionary of Troublesome Words A Writer Guide to Getting It Right Bill Bryson Books Reviews

Fun to read, this is a great primer on the often subtle distinctions between words such as "gantlet" and "gauntlet." Set up dictionary-style, each word is presented concisely and authoritatively. If you want to hone your writing skills or just like to browse the endlessly fascinating words that make up the English language, you need this.
It is only after a lot of pages that you realize that yes, you really have been reading a dictionary. Amazing facts and comforting confirmations that you had understood a word. And slightly disconcerting discoveries that you had previously totally not understood the true meaning, or for that matter had any idea what the word or phrase had meant. Probable a must have for anyone who has to write stuff, which must be most of us at work these days. Maybe should be a legal requirement for scrabble players.
Bill Bryson's dictionary is a wonderful frolic through the foibles of the English language. The misused, the misunderstood and even the mis-spelled are treated with great humour and insight.

Many people will choose to randomly browse through "Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words". I chose the option of reading it cover to cover. Either way, the book cannot fail to both entertain and inform.

Unlike French, English is a work in progress with no bureaucracy trying to stifle change. An institution in the style of the French Academy is unthinkable for English. Indeed, herein lies the strength of English and the basis of its ability to continually re-invent itself and evolve through time. French, by way of comparison, looks increasingly like the fly stuck in amber.

Bryson is a highly observant wordsmith and his book should be read by all those who cherish English and its marvelous journey.
Bill Bryson is an entertaining story teller, but I think he is at his best when he is explaining the history behind things (a la Short History of Nearly Everything, At Home or Mother Tongue).

I am currently reading his Walk in the Woods and while it is amusing to read about his experiences, I actually enjoy it more when he goes off on a tangent and includes some background history by way of explanation. If you agree, then this book is for you.

Granted, you will not find every word here that may confuse you. This may make it less useful as a reference book, since when one turns to a dictionary or thesaurus, you expect to always find the word you are looking for. This volume is by no means exhaustive, it contains only those words the author finds confusing or ones that he frequently sees misused. To call this a dictionary then, may be a bit of a stretch. At times I also wish he was less concise, but then I guess there are practical limits to how long a book like this can be.

What it is, is highly informative and interesting, a hard feat for any writer to achieve. The explanations are clear and easy to understand - he writes for the layman. He educates in an entertaining way and is often quite amusing. This is Mr. Bryson's forte' and he does not disappoint. Look up one word and your eye will stray to another. Before you know it, you have finished the chapter and started on the next.

Highly recommenced, just don't expect it to include every word in the English language.
If you love words and the quirky nuances of the English language, you will savor this book. Bryson applies wit and wisdom to every clause. He clears up sticky issues of grammar and syntax likely to bother even the most accomplished writers, and points out shades of meaning that are important but not at all obvious. A few things I learned -

1. "Comic" is something intended to be funny; "comical" is funny whether intended or not.
2. Stalemates don't end. A stalemate is the end, whereas a standoff or deadlock can end.
3. "Meticulous" has a negative connotation of being excessively careful. "Scrupulous" or "painstaking" might be better choices.

Not sure about when to use "who" versus "whom"? "Shall" versus "will"? "If I were ..." versus "If I was ..."? "Compare with" versus "compare to"? Bryson clears it all up.

Another area he addresses is troublesome names of proper nouns. For example -

1. "Notes from Underground", not "Notes from the Underground".
2. Big Ben is the bell, not the clock.
3. Leonardo is the preferred second reference for Leonardo da Vinci.
4. "Finnegans Wake" has no apostrophe.
5. National Institutes of Health - plural.

His clarifications on spelling, though few in number, were amazingly well selected. These, for example, were news to me -

1. Expressible
2. "Hear, hear!", not "Here, here!"
3. Just deserts (not desserts)
4. Ukulele

Reading this book will help you write with greater precision and clarity. At 240 pages, it's surprisingly comprehensive and every bit as good as a desk side reference as The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law
On the same day, I ordered two used copies from 2 different sellers. They both arrived as promised...and in near "Bookstore" condition. BONUS...one of them was signed by Mr. Bryson. I had just become aquainted with Bill Bryson months before when I was given his audiobook of "At Home"...which I have in my car and listen to when on the road. I listen to it in short segments as he offers so much information...my mind goes in to overload. I then ordered his "In the Woods" in audio which was delightful and a fairly "quick listen!" He has a huge store of information and a delightful way of sharing it. Even the Dictionary of Troublesome Words will make you smile. I love grammar so I love this book, "albeit" it did not have two of my favorite words included..."ergo" I should only give it 4 stars...but I acquiesced and give it a 5!! I have enjoyed all of his works to this point and hope to add more to my library. If you like words...this is a fun read!