Fumblerules

By William Safire

Book Overview

Several years ago William Safire devoted one of his newspaper columns to a list of fumblerules--a mistake that calls attention to the rule. Here, culled, winnowed, beefed up and edited, are the best fumblerules he has collected in the interim. An entertaining treasure, Fumblerules is the perfect gift for lovers of language.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385413017
• ISBN13: 9780385413015
• Release Date: August 1990
• Publisher: Doubleday
• Length: 153 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.5" x 5.6" x 0.7"

Customer Reviews

Safire knows his stuff - and he knows it, too!

Safire definitely knows what he's talking about-and he isn't afraid to tell it to your face, either. I love the cocky attitude of this handbook, and I doubt I'll ever have as much fun learning about grammar and rules again-unless I read another of his books! I've read this book twice-and plan to read it again soon-and it reads like a joke book. It's laugh out loud funny, and his humor is right up my alley (avoid clichés like the plague). At the beginning of the book, he bluntly tells you to `do as I say, not as I do' which it would behoove you to take notice of, as every chapter title is in itself a grammatical error. (And behoove seems to be his favorite word) For example, the chapter on double negatives is called: Don't use no double negatives. From run-on sentences to using negative statements, this book has it all.With colorful phrases like, `blond enough to make a bishop kick a hole through a stained glass window' and painfully demonstrative examples, this book is for anyone looking for an educational laugh. Safire's point is always clear, straight and to the point, making this one of my favorite books. Don't hesitate, and buy it now! (And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.) But remember: Never use prepositions to end sentences with. =^-^=