Editorial Review

Wherein we discover that many of the "rules" for good writing and good sex are the same: Keep your hand moving, lose control, and don't think.Goldberg brings a touch of both Zen and well... *eroticism* to her writing practice, the latter in exercises and anecdotes designed to ease you into your body, your whole spirit, while you create, the former in being where you are, working with what you have, and writing from the moment. ... Read more

Reviews (140)

Freeing the Writer Within
In Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg challenges the writer to break free from conventional syntax, sentence structure, and the goody-two-shoes nature which compels us to write only what we believe others want to hear. Through this book, I have realized the importance of separating the writer from the editor, and allowing for free-flow thought. Goldberg encourages writers to extract themselves from the distractions of the home, to write in a cafe, a dinner, a foreign country. Consisting of short chapters, injected with entertaining anecdotes and written with amusing candor, Writing Down the Bones is a quick and easy read with very satisfying results.

Reads for a Writer
Natalie Goldberg offers and excellent insight into the life of a writer and what it means to write. This book covers all of the basics for beginning writers. The exercises allow you to experiment with poetry, short stories, narratives in both fiction and non fiction. Everyone gets writers block of hass a dry spell where you just can't wuite find the motivation. Goldberg offers remedies for everytype of person and reminds us not to let ourselves get in the way of our writing.
What inside you wants you to write?
Writing Down the Bones is not about the technical aspects of writing craft, it's about a philosophy to express what's inside you.
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. Creativity    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Reference    6. Self-Help    7. Self-Help / Creativity    8. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (3)

Pretty good text with online adjunct videos for free
Used for my college English II class, this text presents many literary ideas which could be useful for fully learning the many apsects of english.
Great teaching book
This book has a companion video series called Literary Visions. That series alsoo includes a study guide. I would highly recommend it.

Is there a teacher's manual with this book?
This is not a review. I am searching for a teacher's manual for this book. Is there one? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Collections    2. College readers    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    4. Creative Writing    5. Exposition (Rhetoric)    6. General    7. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    8. Literary Criticism    9. Literary Forms    10. Literature    11. Readers    12. Report writing    13. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    14. Literature: History & Criticism   

Reviews (7)

Low Quality => Low Value
Seeing the merchandise in person is not as important if you're buying a book, but it really may change your opinion on whether or not it's worth the purchase if the merchandise is flashcards.
Worth the money!
I was put off buying these cards by some of the negative reviews, but went ahead when I saw a sample card in a store. In a Japanese bookshop, they cost about 8500 yen, or $85 in US dollars. They are well worth it, as they are a good size, contain exactly the right amount of information (not too little, not too much) and are cross-referenced to other courses. You can put 100 in your pocket and review them on the train. One wonderful experience I had was in a jam-packed Narita express one night, where all of the Japanese people around me were getting into it, cheering or groaning each time I turned over a card. We had a good-sized group of 'contestants' after half an hour or so! After all, some of Heisig's kanji are not so easy - even for native speakers. I am proud to say that I now know a few kanji that some of my Japanese co-workers don't...and it drives them up the wall. The cards have the Chinese and Japanese readings and the 'real' meanings, which are, 95% of the time, the Heisig one anyway. They also have example compounds - and it is a joy to realize that you can figure these out after a while with a bit of intuition!
kanji cards
I will admit the cards are helpful, but for the price, not enough. I expected better quality and better kanji information. Yeah, buying them savse time, but making them saves money and I've found that when I write the cards myself, I learn the information better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blank Books / Diaries / Memory Books    2. General    3. Japanese    4. Language    5. Study Guides    6. Language self-study & phrasebooks    7. Writing skills   

Reviews (4)

A Writer's Water
My sister had purchased this book to help her with her grammar. I had no idea that I would start reading this book almost more than she. Despite having taken a rigorous course in grammar in ninth grade (and therefore expecting that this book would not teach me much), this book was very useful for refreshing my memory of grammar guidelines.
Great reference book
Very good resource for anyone who does a lot (not "alot," as the authors would confirm) of writing.Mentions a lot of the mistakes common in the English language.Teaches what we should be (but aren't) learning in government schools.

Complete and Very Useable
Our local library had a copy I checked out a few times until I finally bought my own. It's well worth it, though I also enjoy using "The only grammar book you'll ever need," the "Bible" offers more depth and also retains a high level of readability. I recommend both of these books, this volume for its utter depth and clarity, and the one mentioned above for its succinctness. The authors did a great job and you should be very satisfied with this purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English language    2. Grammar    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Reference    6. Writing Skills    7. American English    8. Grammar & vocabulary    9. Usage guides   

Reviews (107)

Tools that really work!! Really!
I have to admit that when I ran across this book on a dreary day, I was hopeful yet very skeptical. Not to mention a great big scardy-cat! But I committed to following Peter's suggestions in this book. Low and behold, they worked. Really!
HE'S THE GREATEST
This book is wonderful. I was born with the talent and I enjoy writing, but there was just one thing missing...The Well-Fed Writer...Thanks Peter!!!

An upbeat, encouraging, in-depth guide
An upbeat, encouraging, in-depth guide to becoming a freelance copywriter. A good read whether you are just exploring the idea of going freelance or have been successfully self-employed for many years. Particularly insightful and realistic are Chapter 11: The Ebb & Flow of Work; Chapter 12: Clients and Other Fascinating Species, and Chapter 13: Dos, Don'ts, and Don't Forgets. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Business & Economics    3. Career/Job    4. Careers - General    5. Marketing    6. Publishing    7. Reference    8. Writing Skills   

Editorial Review

This book so speaks to the contemporary writer that it is nearly impossible tobelieve that it was originally published in 1938. In Read more

Reviews (57)

A brave and wonderful book
This book is full of courageous advice on how to use and trust what is in your heart when you write. She has great insight into the difference between writing from your "head" and writing from your "heart".I agree with her that our greatest work comes when we avoid the fears and 'intellectualizing' that limits us to our "head", and instead use what we feel most powerfully in our heart.
Better titled, "if you want to do well at something creative"
I'd highly recommend this book to any people working in a creative field, particularly those who feel overwhelemed by the difference between the quality of work that they're producing and the quality of what the professionals do. Within the frame of the writing profession, the author talks about the need for passion, practice, and diligence to build competence and then expertise. She also covers how to have a good life along the way. While those coming to this book looking for Strunk & White, volume 2, will be disappointed, those looking for a quick boost of inspiration will be well served.

No Good Writing Advice

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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    4. Reference    5. Creative writing guides    6. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing    7. Reading Group Guide   

Editorial Review

The bible on self-publishing.Highly recommended by virtually everyone in the industry -- even other authors of books on the subject (many of whom probably followed the advice in Poynter's previous 11 editions). ... Read more

Reviews (168)

Dan has done it again!
After receiving over 75 rejection letters from major publishers, I decided to launch a micro-publisher that would focus on cutting-edge leadership books. I began with my book "Leading People the Black Belt Way" and have several more books on the way in the near future. Dan Poynter's "Self Publishing Manual" has been invaluable in getting me started. I'm thrilled to read this new, updated version from the grandfather of self-publishing!
Everything You Need to Know to Self-Publish Your Own Book
This is a very informative book. I have written a nonfiction book that I was unable to get published. After reading this book, I have discovered how easy it is to publish my own book.
The Ultimate Self-Publishing Book
This is the most important self-publishing book you will ever read.Mr. Poynter has hit a grand-slam with this 15th edition of his classic book.The book provides valuable insight on many topics to include: writing your book, formatting your book, publishing your book, marketing your book and distribution.This book can potentially save you thousands of dollars and hours of time.I highly recommend it.
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Subjects:  1. Language    2. Language Arts & Disciplines    3. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    4. Publishing    5. Reference    6. Language Arts & Disciplines / Reference   

Reviews (20)

The best so far
A lot has been written already about this book, so I would like to concentrate on one major feature of this manual.
A Good Resource
In attempting to put together a training session on communication, I was at a loss in where to begin and what to cover.The topic can be a sensitive one, especially when working with non-native English speakers.
How To Say It
I just love this book (and this is the 2nd time I have ordered it, for friends as a gift). It is a very useful book and whenever I give it as a gift the receiver just loves it! (And it keeps them from having to borrow mine all of the time!) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English language    2. Letter writing    3. Personal & Practical Guides    4. Reference    5. Rhetoric    6. Writing Skills    7. Reference / Personal & Practical Guides    8. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (60)

A book to appreciate
What an exceptional book this is. I very much enjoy the outdoors--fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking for long stretches of time in the wildest places I can find. If you like similar activities, you may come to love this book as I do.
Interesting
Flipping channels a couple of years ago, I came across a show on PBS about a man building his own cabin, with no power tools, in the Alaskan wilderness.I was mesmorized watching this program.It was one of those shows that stuck with my thoughts and emotions for several days.I was awestruck with some of the things he was making with his hands.I wanted to be there myself.Wanting to get more out of this, I bought the book.I would describe the book as interesting, not riveting.It held my interest and does inspire me to start and complete the task at hand, whatever that may be.To me, the description of the cabin building process was a little too tedious, but the rest of book seemed to flow right along.I'm glad I read the book, but I think this is one of those rare instances where I liked the video better than the book

Easy read, inspirational story
This book is a good read for those who feel inspired by someone who follows their "dreams" (trite, but true!).The book reads like the subject is talking, simplified but descriptive.The Alaskan wilderness plays a big part in the story, although I would've thought that life on your own would have been slightly more difficult - the subject almost makes it seem easy. The idea of someone making a life on their own from nothing (building a house, obtaining food) is tempered somewhat by the fact that the subject had supplies flown in on a regular basis.Still, living on your own for 35+ years is an interesting topic.A nice addition to an "outdoor adventure" library.For those that have seen the companion video, this book may be less important. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Alaska    3. Alaska - Local History    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    5. Diaries    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Frontier and pioneer life    8. General    9. Photo Techniques    10. Photography    11. Pioneers    12. Proenneke, Richard    13. Travel - United States    14. Twin Lakes Region (Kodiak Isla    15. Twin Lakes Region (Lake and Peninsula Borough)    16. United States - Pacific - Alaska    17. United States - State & Local - General    18. Wilderness survival    19. Travel writing   

Reviews (61)

Good for the Money
My opinion of this beginner's guide is that anything for this price with a decent word or two of Spanish on it is worth the few bucks it costs to purchase it.
simple
this book has all the basics. Good morning, good night, how are you. Most people know this already. If you are going to a spanish country and staying in a nice resort then this book could help. but if you want to learn to speak spanish this is not a very good book for you.

Vocab builder
I'd highly recommend it for building your vocabulary.I just wish it were more comprehensive.However, if you're just beyond the beginners' stage, just learning 75% of this material will take you a long way. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Foreign Language Study    3. General    4. Glossaries, vocabularies, etc    5. Language    6. Spanish    7. Spanish language    8. Foreign Language Study / Spanish    9. Language learning: specific skills    10. Language teaching & learning material & coursework   

Reviews (59)

Great Resource
As an aspiring writer, I have been greatly aided by Characters and Viewpoint.Card divides his book into three sections: Inventing Characters, Constructing Characters, and Performing Characters.In the first section, Card outlines where ideas for characters come from, and how to exploit these ideas to their full potential.He advocates interrogating our characters in order to realize them as full-bodied figures.In Part Two, Constructing Characters, Card explains that the characters we need depend on the type of story we are telling (e.g. an event story vs. a character story).He writes that many people (myself included, before I read this book) are under the misguided impression that every story needs to have full character development.He refutes this assertion, saying instead that the amount of characterization needed depends on the type of story we are telling.For example, a character story needs more fully-developed characters than an event story.He goes on to explain how we elicit emotional responses from the audience for certain characters (e.g. how we control their dislike or contempt or pity for the antagonist).Part Three, Performing Characters, outlines how we present our characters and situations to the audience through our use of voice and viewpoint.He further explains the distinction between representational and presentational stories, and which you should choose for your own story.
Viewpoint First, Characters Third
This book by OSC is a wonderful collection to any aspiring author's collection, but it does not live up to 'How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy'.
Amazing and Indispensable
This book revolutionized my writing.That is the single greatest testament I can give to it.Card will break down, piece by piece, how to build good characters in every type of fiction, and how to avoid making cliche or overwrought decisions regarding your characters.Excellent! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Characters and characteristics in literature    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction    3. Fiction    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Point of view (Literature)    6. Reference    7. Technique    8. Writing Skills    9. Creative writing guides    10. Rhetoric   

Editorial Review

In the world of contemporary travel writing, Bill Bryson, the bestselling author of Read more

Reviews (192)

Not one of his better works
This collection of short essays he published in an English paper (and meant for an English audience) seem to miss the mark for American readers.It's as if he published this because he needed money.There was nothing original in this book, nothing really funny and what few authentically funny parts there were seemd trite and at times exaggerated.
A minor work of collected news columns
Not particularly interesting or funny. None of the ridiculous turns of language of a Dave Barry column, no elder-statesman crabbiness like Andy Rooney's. Just routine bitching about airlines, office supplies, and so on. Save it for "A Walk in the Woods" or "A Short History of Nearly Everything"

Good, but Bryson can be preachy
Bryson has been one of my favorite authors for years now - the first thing of his that I read was a magazine article comparing American weather extremes with those in his beloved England.This collection of his writings on things American has me confused.Most of it, as his wife points out, is griping about this and that.Bryson has a tendency to talk down anything that doesn't fit into his view of how life ought to be and a maddening myopia when it comes to understanding why things are the way they are in this modern world.Balancing that though is his self-deprecating humor and his beautiful writing skills.There is a piece on global warming in this book that all ought to read.So, basically, even though he is preachy, and a bit gripy, he is laugh-out-loud funny and writes so very well that I will keep reading him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. Anecdotes    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Bryson, Bill    7. Description and travel    8. General    9. Literary    10. Social life and customs    11. Travelers    12. United States    13. United States - 20th Century    14. Biography & Autobiography / General    15. Travel writing    16. USA   

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - General    2. General    3. Language    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Creative writing guides    7. Language teaching & learning material & coursework   

Reviews (1)

Cohen's Book Offers Rare Insider Insight on Cable News
Jeff Cohen's new book Cable News Confidential offers readers a rare behind the scenes look at the 24 hour cable news world.Cohen describes his experiences at CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. He offers many personal stories, which were always engaging and often quite humorous. They painted a clear picture of how conservatives control and frame the news we see on cable. While I have read many other books on this subject, I have never seen a book that offers as many crisp, clear examples of the way today's cable news industry operates.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography And Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    5. General    6. Journalism    7. Mass Media - General    8. Media Studies - Electronic Media    9. Sociology    10. Television - General    11. Television Journalism    12. Political Science / General   

Reviews (4)

Every student needs the Everyday Writer
This book is an ideal tool for anyone who has to write for school, work, or as a hobby.The easy access tabs and extensive menus help you find what you are looking for quickly and the spiral binding lets you lay the book open while you type.The coverage of the writing process and argumentative writing really set this book apart.Anybody can write up grammar rules or documentation standards, but Lunsford's coverage of writing at the start of the book is wonderful.Buy this book and don't sell it back to the bookstore, this is a keeper.Also, for the teacher that wants one for every student, try "Easywriter" which is the smaller version of this text that only costs about fifteen bucks.

I wish I could buy it for all of my students
A good friend who must really love me gave me this book when I headed to grad school. It answered all of my APA citation questions and many of the little grammatical quandries one encounters at 3 a.m. A student's perspective
As one of Andrea's former students, I've had to read this book and use it extensively.Not only did it get me through her class, but every class I had after that (and I've had a large number of English and Historyclasses).If you're looking for a book to help you with MLA style,Professor Lunsford covers everything you can possibly hope to draw infofrom, including lectures, interviews, and even MUDs online. ... Read more

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

Reviews (7)

Warwick is a skillful writer
Warwick's writing style is extremely straightforward and clear. It was a pleasure to learn these tips on writing equally straightforward solicitation letters. What differentiates this book from other ones is that it is up-to-date and remains relevant.

Every Non-Profit Should Have This Book
Fundraising is a very specialized area of copywriting and marketing. Unlike the more common direct mail letter wherein you are selling a product or service, fundraising often offers nothing more to the receipient than a chance to feel good about doing good. The best book of its kind ...
There are many many books and courses on how to write a funding proposal but few out there on how to write and develop your organization's annual campaign. Fortunately Mal Warwick's is the only book you'll ever need. Thorough, loaded with examples, not only of solicitation letters but follow up and thank you letters as well -- if you're a development professional this is one book you must have on your shelf. Using Mal Warwick's books and website, along with a great deal of marketing reading, I successfully redesigned my organization's membership campaign - raising our overall donations by 33% the first year and an additional 25% the second year.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business Writing    5. Business/Economics    6. Direct-mail fund raising    7. Finance    8. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    9. Nonprofit organizations    10. Small Business - Capital Generation    11. Budgeting & financial management    12. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    13. Charities & voluntary services    14. Non-profitmaking organizations    15. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (486)

Apparently punctuation lessons have to funny or clever to be useful?
A spotlight review for this product is titled "It's not clever and it's not funny." Fine, well, this completely invalidates all of her arguments about punctuation usage, then. As Lynne Truss might say: "Bloody idiot!"
Saucy and clever frolic through punctuation!
It's easy to see how the book's breezy run through "the notations of music of the spoken language" has made it a bestseller. It's a memorable reminder of the purpose of punctuation in the first place: to clarify syntax and meaning. Ms. Truss does that with élan!
It is clever and it is funny
I realised I needed to read this book recently when a student in China told me that there is no apostrophe in the possessive "its".
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Subjects:  1. English Grammar    2. English language    3. Grammar    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Punctuation    7. Reference    8. Humor / Essays   

Reviews (18)

Italian Verb Drills Better With Behind the Wheel Italian Revised
I have owned and used Italian Verb Drills for years.I would describe it as the quintessential bedrock source for a simplified learning of a potentially complex subject, namely, Italian Verbs.The book is so complete that a simple review will not capture it all.Suffice it to say that it is organized in such a way that anyone is sure to maximize their learning and understand of Italian verbs and idioms in a minimum of time.
Better With Italian Behind the Wheel Complete
I took Amazon's advice and bought Italian Verb Drills to complement my Italian Behind the Wheel Complete Course.
Italian verbs
I am finding this work book to go along very well with my Pimsleur language CDs.There are good exercises to reinforce useage. I am a beginner learner and am finding it well written, easy to follow and extremely helpful.I am using it in conjunction with Barron's Italian Verb work book as well and am finding that they explain things a little differently from each other, so what I don't get from one I get from the other. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition and exercises    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign Language Study    4. Grammar    5. Italian    6. Italian Language    7. Language    8. Verb    9. Foreign Language Study / Italian    10. Language learning: specific skills    11. Language self-study & phrasebooks   

Reviews (4)

Engineering Documentation
I am a British Chartered Engineer working mainly in Blue Chip energy-related companies. I have just started using this book in my work and find it strongly re-enforces my passion for excellent documentation and design management. It is clearly the current 'bible' forEngineering Documentation Control and is extremely valuable in showing how to climb the 'Configuration Management Ladder' (page 8). It cuts away the dross and complexity that is plentiful nearly everywhere else. So many of us technologists and managers are struggling with hugely powerful new computer packages that integrate most processes in our companies. This is one of the very few books to chart our course and give us a chance of a reliable way through to simplicity, speed and profitability that are so often promissed but so rarely fully attained.
Thorough Industry Configuration Management Resource...
...but not for Software CM. Great Inroduction to CM
Unlike the vast majority of books available on configuration management, this book, as the title suggests, focuses entirely on configuration management in industry.Throughout the book, the author focuses on a simplified, fast configuration management system that exceeds DoD standards.This book, in the chapters titled Change Control and Fast Change, has an exceptional explanation of how to handle configuration modifications.In these chapters the author gives a detailed description of how to set up a system that allows the fastest possible changes to take place.Also, many case studies are given in these sections which provide further insight as to how to implement the correct system for a given situation.Overall, the book is very easy to understand, and serves as an excellent introduction and handbook to a configuration management system for industry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Configuration management    3. Documentation    4. Engineering    5. Engineering - General    6. Engineering - Industrial    7. Engineering Management    8. Management    9. Management - General    10. Production Engineering    11. Production management    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Technical Writing    14. Technology    15. Technology / Technical Writing    16. Construction & heavy industry    17. Engineering: general    18. Industrial quality control    19. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (1)

Wonderful Resource
Great Resource for anyone interested in Legal work....full of information for all kinds of work from Legal Assistant to Paralegal to Legal Secretary. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. General    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Legal Profession    6. Legal Writing    7. Legal composition    8. Legal documents    9. Pleading    10. United States    11. Business & Economics / General    12. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry    13. Legal skills & practice    14. Writing & editing guides