Reviews (2)

Best current reference on Arabic
In 39 crisp chapters covering more than 700 pages Ryding organizes both the grand lines and essential details of Arabic language structure and grammar. This is a highly readable, easily searched linguistic reference. The index really does the job and her list of references alone is a significant academic contribution. Finally, this gem will make life easier for both students of Arabic and researchers. All my thumbs are up for this once in a lifetime linguistic treasure.

breath-taking
after experimenting with a lot of arabic grammar books I have finally met the most engaging one.I can not imagine the right words to give sufficient definition of the capabilities of this breath-taking book.every sentence is supplied with full transliteration.extensive,exhausive but not exhaushing.it is a must to buy book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arabic    2. Arabic language    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. General    5. Grammar    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Arabian peninsula    9. Grammar, syntax, linguistic structure    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / General    11. Saudi Arabia   

Editorial Review

In 2005, two tragedies--the Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina--turned CNN reporter Anderson Cooper into a media celebrity. Read more

Reviews (148)

Astonishing
I read this book, which is not very long, in one sitting, and half the time I had to read through the curtain of tears in my eyes.Like Anderson Cooper, I am a television journalist, and like Anderson Cooper I have learned to divorce myself from the stories that I am telling.And yet I understand, God, how I understand his feeling of shrieking despair underneath the veneer.I live in Latvia, which is the Old Country for my family, and the first year that I was here, I was asked by the Soviet Latvian Parliament to translate for foreign journalists when Parliament was voting on Latvia's declaration of independence.When the vote began and it became increasingly clear that the necessary majority would vote "yes", I was staring hard at the carpet, because I knew that if I met anyone's eyes, I would weep for the triumph of it all.Anderson juxtaposes the tragedies on which he reports (Somalia, Sarajevo, the Asian tsunami, Iraq, Hurricane Katrina) with the tragedy of his own life -- raised in a goldfish bowl as son of Gloria Vanderbilt, losing his father at the age of 10, losing his brother, who committed suicide by jumping off a penthouse balcony in front of his mother's eyes.This personalizes the stories which journalists tend to dehumanize -- one body, two bodies, three bodies ... you have to get the story on the air, and you remember what you were taught in journalism school -- "On television, if it bleeds, it leads".God bless Anderson Cooper, who lets the story into his heart.God bless a man who is not afraid to tell the entire world about his torments and his weaknesses.Men are taught not to do so.I so appreciate that this one did.I recommend this book with every fiber in my being, not just for journalists, but for anyone who still sees humanity in the technological world in which we live today.

Live thru this--personal tragedy to personal accomplishment
Anderson Cooper writes in the style of describing his life in one sub-chapter and then switching to an experience in an international war zone during his press coverage. This is a well written book and the way Mr Cooper details his family's personal tragedy is compelling and vulnerable. It provides inspiration as you read thru all of the details. Then his need to find his place in life in poltical war coverage is brave and risk taking. This is a book which is both smart and sensitive. Recommended.

A New Appreciation for Anderson Cooper
I learned a lot about the CNN Anchor. He's the son of Gloria Vanderbuilt and Wyatt Emory Cooper.His father died when he was ten and his brother committed suicide when Anderson was in college at Yale.I learned that he went out on his own, with faked news credentials, and journeyed the globe freelancing stories in places of tragedy, hunger, and war - just him and a camera.I respect that.I respect following your dreams despite personal danger and discomfort.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cooper, Anderson    6. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    7. Journalism    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Television - General    10. Television Journalism    11. Television journalists    12. United States   

Editorial Review

The world is divided into two types of people: those who wince when they seethe words Read more

Reviews (58)

Took two weeks to get here
Shipping took way too long to get here, almost 14 days. They probably could have chosen a better option to send it, but didn't.

Fast & Pragmatic Rules for the Busy Writer
It's not just for reporters.If you write letters, memos, reports, updates, briefs, and the like, this book will make you a more competent and confident writer.
Insufficient but requisite!
If you write or publish regularly, you'll need to devise addendums to the AP Guide. A short list might evolve into your own style guide, since the AP may not cover abbreviations you commonly use, for example. But this guide is indispensible prior to (or in lieu of) having your own guide (a monstrous task). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Journalism    4. Journalistic Writing    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Libel and slander    7. Media & the Law    8. Reference    9. Research And Report Writing    10. Style manuals    11. United States    12. Writing Skills    13. Communications law    14. USA    15. Writing & editing guides   

Subjects:  1. College readers    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    3. Composition & Creative Writing - General    4. English Composition    5. English language    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Language    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    10. Report writing    11. Rhetoric    12. Creative writing guides    13. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing    14. Writing skills   

Reviews (11)

Rules For Writers
Comprehensive grammar book.Great sections on APA and MLA format writing.

The best writing reference I've found for the SAT Writing Section
I'm an SAT tutor, and I haven't been thrilled with many of the grammar/usage/writing SAT books on the market.They usually do a decent job on a few topics but not all topics.I'm getting this book for every one of my students (and my own son) because it will not only help them with the SAT writing section but it serves as the best ongoing reference for their use in school.I haven't tried the CD-ROM yet (sold separately) but it has over 1000 practice exercises.

Comprehensive, better than the Bedford Handbook
The college where I teach English composition used Rules for Writers as the Handbook for three or four years. It now uses the Bedford Handbook. I found Rules for Writers to be very full and useful for every aspect of teaching, not only grammar and punctuation, but for composition and research writing as well. It tends to have fairly exhaustive explanations of most points of grammar. It has an especially good section on ESOL problems.All in all, it is a practical useful book that I keep on my writing desk for my own use, even though it is no longer used in our classes.
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. English language    4. Grammar    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. Report writing    10. Rhetoric    11. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing   

Reviews (4)

Out of date!
The book is very useful & accurate for citing books and other print articles, but has no information on citing web pages, emails, or other electronic texts. It is based on the 1995 4th edition of MLA, while MLA is up to the 6th edition (2003)

An Excellent, Although Incomplete, Source On MLA
This Review refers to the paperback edition of The Essentials of MLA Style: A Guide to the System of Documentation Recommended by the MLA for Writers of Research Papers, by Joseph F. Trimmer. CONCISE and easy to use MLA how-to book
Bought for my Kidlet, she's found it a wonderful guidebook to writing MLA style papers. We looked at the full-version (over 200 pages) and it was, quite frankly, overwhelming.Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Bibliographical citations    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    4. Editing & Proofreading    5. English Composition    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. Reference    10. Scholarly publishing    11. Style manuals    12. Writing Skills    13. Reference / Writing Skills    14. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (8)

Beware "Ways of Brainwashing" student turned teacher
The essays in this book aren't particularly enlightening; however, they are often misused not to start debate or critical thinking, but rather to show students "what they SHOULD learn and feel about the topics."I didn't like any of the essays in this book because they didn't tell me anything I didn't already know.I am already the product of a democratic, public education.Thus, I am tolerant and accepting of others' views and opinions.I don't need tolerance beaten into me over the course of a semester.This book should only be used for the formerly home-schooled and religious right, as it will only open worlds for them.
From a Teacher
I have used this book to teach a freshman writing and reading course at a liberal arts school.Because of the difficulty of many of the texts, it was met by my students with little fanfare.While a few of the pieces are clearly too much for the average freshman (Foucault comes first to mind), most can be used effectively to get them to discuss issues.I have found that the students would rather talk in generals and universals than with the intricate arguments that some of the writers brilliantly present. Challenging, yet rewarding read
I had to read this book for my upper division journalism class this fall and found it to be one of the best books that we used in the course.The editors have tried to collect well-written, intelligent documentaries that challenge traditional connections between words and photographs.Read more

Subjects:  1. College readers    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. English language    4. Language    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Problems, exercises, etc    8. Report writing    9. Rhetoric    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing   

Reviews (1)

A wealth of information
Finally, I was required to a buy a book that I will actually use again.Both pre-student and veteren teachers will enjoy this book.It contains a wealth of strategies for teaching kids how to write. Although there is aa lot of great information however, if your like me you don't have tons oftime for reading through all the historical and case study information. Each section is clearly explained so it's great to just pick and choosewhat you are looking for. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Elementary    4. Language    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Language arts (Elementary)    7. Study & Teaching    8. Language & Literature    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Study & Teaching    10. Teaching of a specific subject   

Editorial Review

Newly revised to conform with the Read more

Reviews (37)

You need this book
This book is a must-have for anyone writing a college level or above paper.I've found that it's better used as a reference, not as the kind type of book you sit down and read.One warning, it is a manual, so it's pretty dry - dry, but necessary.

Excellent Resource
As valuable today in professional business writing as it was 20 years ago in college.

This book is the Bible for Historians!
I was instructed by several of my past professors that this book would be the guiding light in regards to submitting & creating scholarly materials in my academic writing matriculation.They were right, this book regardless of its many editions has been in my possession for the last 6-7 years.Academians of all concentrations when it comes down to the publishing of Termpapers, Thesis, or Dissertations, you really cannot go wrong with this Chicago-style format.This book made assessing materials, writing papers, citations, proper documentation, and even grading essay papers as a college instructor an enjoyable experience.However, as a undergraduate and graduate student I was introduced to this bible.Now I am entertaining the idea of future editing. I recomment this book to all of my students and colleagues alike!
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Subjects:  1. Academic writing    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    3. Dissertations    4. Dissertations, Academic    5. Education    6. General    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Higher    9. Reference    10. Report writing    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities    12. English    13. Reference / General    14. Writing & editing guides    15. Writing skills   

Reviews (1)

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Although WRITING MAGIC is geared towards young adults, this is the perfect helper for anyone who has ever wanted to write a book.Creating stories is hard work.It takes practice, discipline, and dedication.It would be nice to think that writing a book simply means sitting down and typing up words, but, alas, it really doesn't work that way.Thankfully, though, we have Gail Carson Levine, Newbery Honor author of some of my favorite books (ELLA ENCHANTED, THE TWO PRINCESSES OF BAMARRE, and the upcoming FAIREST, to name a few) who has taken the time to put together
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Children's 9-12 - language Arts    3. Children's All Ages - Language Arts    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile English Language    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Language Arts - Composition & Creative Writing    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Language Arts / Composition & Creative Writing   

Reviews (14)

Revision of Holman's classic Handbook
The original compiler/editor, Hugh Holman, had created a classic--probably the best handbook to literature (almost exclusively English and American) available.The latest edition (10th) has everything that Holman had, with some modifications and additions.One of best features of Handbook is its invaluable time-line at the end, covering every major book and author in every major period of English literature, side-by-side with a chronology of American literature.

A Handbook to Literature (10th edition)
Easily one of the best handbooks on the market, and an indispensable reference for English teachers of literature and researchers at all levels.After thirty-seven years in teaching, I still make certain my copy of AHTL is readily accessible.

Great for School
This text was required, and it was cheaper at Amazon than the local university book stores. The book is actually great. I wish I had it when I first started school. It is fantastic at describing various literary terms and definitions. We may know a term in general use; however, in literary use the term may have a different meaning, and this is when this book comes in very handy. Utilize this book and you can actually participate in class discussion and not feel like a dummy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. General    3. Literary Criticism    4. Literature    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    7. Literature: History & Criticism   

Reviews (38)

Superb content, poor presentation
I read the Pyramid Principle in 1995 and dutifully trained myself to use it, with a little help from a class with Ms. Minto.
They should pipe this into a hospital room to save on anesthesia
It is VERY slow going, but you *do* get the impression that this is an important skill to have. The tips are good, and the examples are easy to comprehend. I dont think they should wait until you're in business to learn this. They should teach the Principle in highschool!... if you could stay awake long enough to learn it.

You Must Practice What You Read
I purchased this book primarily because it was referenced by several authors of other Mckinsey books that I've read. I was taken aback by the price of the book but I'm of the school of thought that great ideas need not come in large packages. As like many of the other reviewers, I found this book a tough read and had to break it down into smaller bite size readings. What I did that help me tremedously was build a Pyramid chart capturing the SCQ ---Answer using sticky notes. Once built, I was able to easily see the ideas she was presenting and was able to clarify my thinking and writing substantially.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Writing    3. Business/Economics    4. Decision Making & Problem Solving    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Rhetoric    7. Writing Skills   

Reviews (5)

Expensive for Students, Expansive for Instructors
I have been teaching with Markel's 7th ed. for almost two years now, and I find that the book provides a springboard for all sorts of discussions into the wild world of Technical Writing. I can typically get through about three quarters of the book in a semester, and I am constantly tweaking the class to allow students more access to the material from this book.
Owner's review
This book is in awesome shape, I used it for an online course, so i have never carried in a book bag.No markings, and very very minimal corners bent.

Interesting and real world scenarios
I teach technical writing at a community college and frequently switched textbooks until I discovered Mike Markel's.It is well organized, gives 8 measures of excellence in technical writing that students quickly grasp, has very up-to-date scenarios that prompt critical reading and writing and the online quizzes and resources are the frosting on the cake.This book is a great tool for educators, students and absolutely anyone who wishes to write in a professional manner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    2. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Technical Writing    5. Technology    6. Telecommunications    7. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing   

Editorial Review

Fans of Read more

Reviews (87)

Does anyone remember the old green Periodical Index???
Okay, confession:I don't own this, YET.(It's marked "highest priority" on my wishlist.)But reading reviews complaining about the royal annoyance of DVD swapping, I'm amused and slightly ticked off.Hey, folks, back in the day, if you needed to look up articles in the New Yorker, you had to go to a building in town called the "library".If you wanted to take an article home to read later, you were happy to be able to make a smeary, smelly, expensive photocopy.
There are always quibbles
Despite the all the minor quibbles you read this is a very worthwile package. Goodness, look at the 20s articles! They are historically worth the price of the package alone, and they are all at your computer! Do a bit of web surfing and discover ways to put the enourmous set on your hard-drive if you wish. It's worth the cost if not from Amazon than from the New Yorker page itself at one-half the price.
DON'T buy this!
ZERO stars. If you live in Europe, forget about it. This thing only works on PC's with an all American time & date system. Unless you want to americanize your computer, it's not usable.
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Subjects:  1. New Yorker (New York, N.Y. : 1925)    2. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    3. Publishing Industry And Trade    4. Journalism    5. Mass Media - General    6. United States - 20th Century    7. Reference / Publishing    8. Publishing    9. Language Arts & Disciplines    10. Language    11. History   

Reviews (25)

Fabulous Book!
I have been searching for this information in a simple, easy to follow format.This book is it.I've been rusty with my punctuation and grammar for years and will treasure this as a great resource and learning tool.

Great resource for independent learners.
My students work full time and don't have a lot of time or energy to do grammar exercises at home. They want fast answers that are easy to understand. I recommend this book for the clear explanations and convenient format, and students have always found it accessible. Well worth the investment--you'll use it as much as your dictionary at least!

Students, watch out!
If you are a student in high school or college looking for a complete reference guide, this book is not it. The basics are covered, but explanations are sometimes inaccurate, and it will not supply answers to problems with your research paper(at least, not the answers that will satisfy your teacher). It IS a good reference tool for those in the corporate community who need help once in a while to polish a report, proposal or important memo. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. General    3. Grammar    4. Language Arts & Disciplines / Reference    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Composition and exercises    7. Grammar, syntax, linguistic structure    8. Language Arts & Disciplines / Editing & Proofreading    9. Writing & editing guides   

Editorial Review

Short and snappy as it is, Stephen King's Read more

Reviews (662)

Plain everyday wanting to write
I'm your plain everyday wanting to be writer. I found, 'On Writing' to be one of the best books I've read. Mr. King writes of his childhood and life in the first part of this book, then in the second half gives advice on how to write, which I have highlighted and marked up something awful. I was one of those teenagers he talks about in his book, that failed English in high school, and thought I was dumb, because of it. I did write as a child, only for myself, not like Mr. King who wrote for Dave's Rag. I loved the parts that spoke of his and his brothers dreams, escapades, or just having fun growing up. It brought back memories of me and my brother. I've read a few books by King, but I find I loved this one the most. I'm one of the older crowd, five years older then Mr. King. I wish he would write more books on plain everyday life, as he lived with his brother and mother, for me and others out there who don't want to read murder, mystery, etc. I'm not saying I didn't like Misery, because I did. I guess now in my elder years I'm just looking for a little less anxiety. I guess I'm what you call "old" and want to think of the world as a loving place and nothing more. I know I'm just dreaming about loving your neighbor, but I "do" believe that people are out there to love one another. I tried my hand at self publishing a book named, "Fears Flutterby", maybe if Mr. King reads this he can give me some tips.
As Much of a Writer's Manual as a Riveting Tale Told By a Master Story Teller
I am not sure how I should classify ON WRITING. It is part memoir, part guide or manual, and part autobiography. As a reader, this book entertained me. As a writer, this book empowered me.
On Writing, by Stephen King
So you've finally come to it: you wake up in the morning, and decide to heck with this nine to five job, bills, and a squinty-eyed boss that smells like old tobacco - you want something better out of life. You've decided to do what you always wanted to do; become a writer, and create worlds and whole universes for a living.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, American    3. Authorship    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Composition & Creative Writing - General    9. Horror tales    10. Literary    11. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing   

Editorial Review

Heralded as the "best book on the dope decade" by the Read more

Reviews (381)

This is one heck of a fun book!
Thompson's classic novel shows that quest literature (in this case the quest for the American Dream) is not at all dead. This is tale is wonderfully crafted and will entertain until the last page.
Sometimes you just have to give it another chance
I have read this book about a dozen times, and I won't lie, the first few times were hard. I wasn't sure if I even understood this book, let alone liked it. My husband was a big fan, and convinced me to give the book another shot one day- and am I happy he did. I got it. It is funny, sad, crazy and weird. It's a journey that I am happy I took, and will take again. It is one of those book that each and every time you read it you will take away something new and fresh. Great read. Try it, you will like it.

hilarious!
If you are looking for a good laugh and are not offended by drugs, lewd behavior, and hooliganism, then I would highly recommend this book.90% of the story takes place while the two main characters are doped up on various drugs or combinations of them, and the consequences are hilarious.I laughed most of the way through.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Journalism    5. Journalists    6. Literary    7. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    8. Popular Culture - General    9. Thompson, Hunter S    10. United States    11. United States - 20th Century/60s    12. American English    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Modern fiction    15. True Stories   

Reviews (4)

Necessary for Children's Book Authors.
As an unagented children's book author, I was able to compile a list of publishing companies easily from this book. I haven't read through the entire book, but just the 200+ pages of publishers is worth the buy. This book has a lot of information and is well organized. I enjoyed reading about first time authors experiences with their writings and publishing stories. This book is the only one you will need for up-to-date info to start your journey as an author.

For children's writers and illustrators: if you can have only one book on your shelf....
This is a condensed version of the review I posted on my web site, The Purple Crayon. I'm the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, and I have to be familiar with books in the field. CWIM is a very reliable market guide.
very useful
this book was very comprehensive! it gave all the information one would like to have when just starting out. it dosent however go into the details of how to write as a career. overall it will become one of my most valued resources. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Children's literature    3. Directories    4. Illustration Of Books    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    8. Marketing    9. Publishers and publishing    10. Publishing    11. United States    12. English    13. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    14. Publishing industry    15. Reference works    16. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (4)

Excellent, comprehensive,and easy to use
The Manual is a complete guide to the AMA style and also an excellent grammar book.The topics are easy to find and the tables and lists are comprehensive.It is a great companion to The Chicago Manual of Style because it details the grammar preferred by the AMA and contains needed terminology.This is a necessary reference for medical publications proofreaders and editors.

A style manual you will rarely close
The specific goal of the American Medical Association Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors is to codify and collect the myriad instructions, rules, and dictums that AMA applies to the many journals, books, and other publications that are printed under its imprint. The more general goal, perhaps not stated, is to broaden the influence of those standards so they encompass more of the medical publishing community.