The Glamour of Grammar Paperback – September 8, 2011

Book review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.I had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up. My first impression was that it was a book on grammar, and, as a writer, I have enjoyed extending my knowledge and understanding of grammar since my high school days of English classes. I was in an Advanced English course at Ann Arbor High School with a great teacher, Mr. Granville. He taught his students that you can never stop learning about the English language, so I thought this book might simply be an extension or elaboration of the book I regard as my bible with it comes to language usage: Strunk and White's Elements of Style. I recommended this book to undergraduate and graduate students alike, and when I wrote my Ph.D. dissertation, I depended exclusively on Strunk and White for any questions I had about my use of words, grammar, or sentence construction.I thought so much of Strunk and White that when I wrote my basic book on public speaking called PUBLIC SPEAKING RULES! ALL YOU NEED FOR A GREAT SPEECH! (And Then Some Publishing, 2008), I made the cover plain and simple (and in a cream color) -- like the cover of Strunk and White's first edition. That was my tribute to them.If you know this book, or if you have read any of the many reviews at Amazon.com, then you know at once that I was mistaken. Happily mistaken, I might add. Oh, the grammar is there, but the beauty of this book is that there is so much more, and the "so much more" can serve as the primary motivation for purchasing this book--no other motivation is necessary!There are a number of delights in this amazing book. First, it is truly a great read with terrific examples and an extremely well-written narrative in each section. Second, there are 50 chapters and 264 pages of text, making each chapter, on average, 5.3 pages long -- succinct information and to the point. Third, each chapter ends with a section called "Keepsakes" which lists 3-5 items from the chapter that are worth reviewing or, perhaps, remembering. Fourth, the author's true love of the language is revealed throughout, and it is an inspiration. Fifth, the way Clark incorporates his own personal experiences adds both freshness and perspective--as well as knowledge and understanding.As an example of how Clark incorporates his personal experience, here is just one sentence (chosen at random), from his chapter, "Avoid speed bumps caused by misspellings": "When I was just a little writer --- skinny, myopic, prepubescent, growing up in a New York suburb --- I began to feel the first tremors of emerging manhood, and I felt them most powerfully in the presence of a local teenage girl whose nickname was Angel Face" (p. 15). His example is delightful and makes an unforgettable impression about the importance of correct spelling. The rest of this example must be read for complete appreciation.The sixth reason I liked this book (awarded 5 stars out of 5), is the tremendous range of examples Clark cites. His extensive knowledge, the variety of sources, and the specificity and exactness of the quotations he offers is remarkable. Admittedly, Clark has "taught writing at every level--to schoolchildren and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors--for more than thirty years" (back flyleaf) and is "vice president and senior scholar at the Poynter Institute" (one of the most prestigious schools for journalists in the world" (back flyleaf)), so he should have accumulated a great deal of information (his wide variety of sources) from his extensive experience as a teacher, but it truly overwhelms the senses!To show you (my reader) just how much I admired this book, I did something I seldom do. My father-in-law, Edgar E. Willis, is an emeritus professor of speech communication at the University of Michigan, and besides his textbooks, he has written a book on humor, HOW TO BE FUNNY ON PURPOSE: CREATING AND CONSUMING HUMOR (2005), a book on his experiences in World War II, CIVILIAN IN AN ILL-FITTING UNIFORM: A MEMOIR OF WORLD WAR II (2009) and is currently having his work of fiction, MOSS ON THE IVORY TOWER , published.Willis has an extensive writing career, a long and distinguished teaching career at the University of Michigan, including serving as chairman of the speech-communication department for ten years, is a continuing speaker, a Shakespearian scholar, and takes special pride in being a learned expert in the use of the English language. English usage often becomes a topic of conversation in my daily meetings with him. It was this book by Roy Clark that I chose to give him as a gift on his 98th birthday (July, 2011). There is no greater accolade I can bestow on Roy Clark and his book The Glamour of Grammar, for it takes a very special book to satisfy the interest and pleasure of such a learned man as Willis.One of the things Willis said about the book was, "I wish I would have had this book early in my writing career -- especially, for example, when I wrote my dissertation."Willis not only adored this book, but he read it word-for-word, and while reading it, he discussed points Clark made every day my wife and I visited him. You never know in advance what book(s) he is going to love, but this one surpassed many other choices - by far! (I am going to ask him - later - if I could have the copy he read for my permanent library.)

Roy Peter Clark is wonderful! I also read "Writing Tools" by Clark and loved it. This book is equally helpful, good, enlightening... many adjectives describe this book.Each chapter is short - a few pages. This makes reading it fit well into my busy day. I can pick up the book and read a short chapter when I have a few moments. The book does not demand large chunks of time.Each chapter is enlightening. From punctuation to word order to verb usage, this book has it all. Clark writes in a fun and clever way. I enjoy the experience of reading this book. I look forward to the little pearls of wit that he has sprinkled generously thoughout the book.This book has changed me. I now write with confidence. Books really do change one's life. This one (and Clark's other book "Writing Tools") certainly has changed mine.

This is a useful survey of the way English can most effectively be used, constructed not as a "rule book" but as a "tool box". Starting with the single word, the author works up through "points" (punctuation), "standards" (words in use), "meaning" (sentences), and "purpose" (style). It is less rule-driven than many older grammars, but doesn't throw rules out the window -- rather, it discusses them as something to be worked with. The style is breezy and the range of quotations wide.This seemed to me a perfect guide for my 14-year old nephew, who loves to write and is interested in how to do it. The book is accessible and fun to read. It is also very well structured as a learning aid: the chapters are short and focussed, and the "keepsake" sections at the end of each chapter are helpful summaries.For a long-term language maven, it is an enjoyable read, but may not add that much new information. Also, the author does have some crotchets (like most writers on grammar) and some of these can become irritating. Finally, the author is very much there in this book, which can get in the way of the information he is providing.

"The Glamour of Grammar" by Roy Peter Clark is a book I recommend to anyone who might want to take a break from academic books on grammar. Clark's short chapters (each with a summary) are easy to read, easy to understand, and a joy to read. Joy being that the chapters are full of writing examples. I have read all of Clark's books. And I recommend them all. Clark wants the reader to improve his or her writing. His sincerity comes through in his own writing. How? Just the way he writes. Kind of like if he was in conversation with you, one-on-one. Thanks Roy for putting glamour into grammar.

This book is as interesting as is the author, with minor details of the English language that actually make quite a difference to the context and structure of a statement or sentence. I have enjoyed the author's passion and commitment towards language and the intricacies of whether to use a comma, colon, semi colon or some other punctuation mark. I think it will be of great assistance to someone who maybe contemplating writing as a hobby or just to lift one's own game, if not to be analytical. There are some very interesting facts of the origin of some words and the relationship between words and their classification. The author's literary knowledge and intimacy to put forward an idea or example is inspiring.

As an English teacher, this is quite a valuable read. I can see this book also being useful to both editors and writers looking to polish their skills. Clark does a good job of explaining the effect certain punctuation has on the reader and how you, as a writer, have the power of creating the desired effect on the reader.I also love what he says about Spelling being magical (to cast a spell). There are some interesting ideas worth checking out in here if this is something you're considering checking out. Recommend it.

As a budding writer, I've thoroughly enjoyed this book. My English is good and anchored in some well worn rules from my high school and university days. And this book respects those rules, but is willing to allow you to break those rules, so long as you know you're doing that. It also brings you up to date on new usages, and introduces lots of examples to help enlighten you, the reader. Great resource and great reading, all in one!

I just got this book so haven't gone through the content.. but this book is around 900 and the paper quality is bad.

Describing the book as a “practical guide” might be misleading. To me, guides tend to be streamlined and prescriptive. Roy Clarke’s book is neither. It weaves its way through the English language in a wonderfully meandering manner. Yes, it does explain aspects of grammar, but mostly on a very advanced level. You need an already fairly firm grasp of grammar essentials and terminology in order to fully appreciate the finer points Clarke makes in an often musing style. He reminds you of grammar rules and introduces new aspects you might not have considered (or in some cases even noticed) yet.The book is ideal for people who, as the author puts it, live in the English language. Being one of these people, I loved it.

Brilliant. A thoroughly readable book on what many see as a very dry subject. Broken down into lots of bite-sized chunks for people with short attentions spans - like me. Full of practical tips and advice. Thoroughly recommended.

It is better to follow a simple English grammar book with a suitable usage guide. There is information in this book, however, the same usage content is even available online. The only exception is that there are examples to show how other writers use techniques in their work. If you have a decent grammar companion then stick to it. Plus once you have enough command over English then you can buy June Casagrande's "It was the best of sentences It was the worst of sentences". No need for this one.