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drgnhrt968's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.75
thecirclek's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A pretty good look at quality writing across different academic contents. And if anything, it proves that every generation thinks that the generation that came after them can't write as well or think as well.
noahbudd's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
A written piece on writing is meta at face value, but the “meta-ness” of this book was everything it should be. The key message from this book is that clear writing is a testament of clear thinking, and the relationship between writing and thinking is a two-way road. What we see is that William Zinsser is able to explain why writing is helpful for unassuming subjects like science and mathematics, and in doing so, is getting over his own fear of the subjects by doing exactly what he’s preaching. Highly recommend this book not only for its strong support of writing and learning principles in general, but it showcases exceptional writing in many disciplines, meaning you are likely to see the appeal of a subject you wouldn’t think possible. At minimum, you can understand the admiration someone else has for the subject, even if you don’t share it.
googlagoon's review
4.0
It has been a delight to read this book ten pages at a time over the span of a few months, for a few reasons. First, his format is admirable. Zinsser divides his chapters into sections of roughly the same size, and the overall editing is elegant and straightforward. Second, in the book's second half Zinsser uses the same process he recommends. He tours many disciplines and finds examples of writing either to teach, to learn, or both -- and throughout, he indicates that he himself is learning alongside the reader. And now I have a couple dozen new books to read within all those disciplines.
effaly's review against another edition
The book should be called "A biography about me and everyone I ever met". While Zinsser mentions several times in the 20% that writing is important, he never talks about writing; about the thought process, the planning, the writing itself, the editing etc.
Instead, he rambles about his life and gives an awfully detailed description of everyone and everything. Not to mention that he really is not a great writer. I mean, look at this quote:
Instead, he rambles about his life and gives an awfully detailed description of everyone and everything. Not to mention that he really is not a great writer. I mean, look at this quote:
I asked Thomas Gover how to get to Gustavus Adolphus. He said that if I flew to Minneapolis he would meet me at the airport. I said I’d see him there.
araellion's review against another edition
Didn't really have instructions for writing to learn.