The Artful Nuance: A Refined Guide to Imperfectly Understood Words in the English Language [Paperback]

Rod L. Evans Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 3, 2009

“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter.” (Mark Twain)

What’s the difference between:

Nectar and ambrosia? Bough and branch? Astonished and surprised? Sensual and sensuous? Beside and besides?

Many people use these words interchangeably but there are actually subtle and interesting differences in meaning and usage. Now from the author of Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge comes a fun and fascinating word reference book for word lovers, students, and trivia collectors alike. Readers will relish learning about these distinctions in this entertaining homage to a gift we use every day—words.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“If you’re a word nut like I am, you’ll be a fervent—not a fervid!—fan of Rod Evans’s invaluable guide to the most easily confused words in English. I paged through it with zest and zeal—which, if I may spoil the ending, turn out to be not quite the same thing.”
—Ken Jennings, author of Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive Worlds of Trivia Buffs, holder of longest winning streak on “Jeopardy!”

“Because the English language possesses far more words than any other, Rod Evans’s The Artful Nuance is an especially useful reference book for all of us who desire to speak and write right.”
—Richard Lederer, author of Anguished English

“A valuable and edifying reference for anyone who is interested in the myriad nuances of our language.”
—Tyler Hinman, four-time American Crossword Puzzle Champion

“Everyone who writes or speaks for a living—or aspires to do so—should read this book! It has something to teach even the most language-savvy among us—from big distinctions to nuggets of nuance. If you don’t know the difference between ‘naked’ and ‘nude,’ and ‘rebut’ and ‘refute,’ then this book should be a permanent part of your library.”
—Merl Reagle, syndicated crossword maker

“Good communication starts with an effective use of language. Evans presents with crystal clarity distinctions any outstanding students, writers, or speakers would want to be able to use in their everyday world.”
—Joe Edley, three-time American Scrabble champion, co-author of Everything Scrabble

About the Author

Rod L. Evans, Ph.D., is a teacher of philosophy at Old Dominion in Norfolk. He has worked for the test preparation company Stanley Kaplan, preparing students for the SAT and TOEFL.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; Original edition (February 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399534822
• ISBN-13: 978-0399534829
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,171,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Rod L. Evans is an author, lecturer, and philosopher who writes and speaks on language,trivia,popular misconceptions,ethics,practical political philosophy,and personal responsibility. He graduated from Old Dominion University, and earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Virginia. He is Lecturer of Philosophy at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Dr. Evans has published seventeen books in several subjects, including English usage, recreational linguistics, lexicography, trivia, political philosophy, and religion. The following persons have written introductions or forewords for Dr. Evans's books: Isaac Asimov, William F. Buckley, Paul Simon (the late U.S. senator), Linus Pauling, Hugh Downs, Steve Allen, and Betty White. The following persons have endorsed his books: Milton Friedman, Walter Williams, Dr. Thomas Szasz, Albert Ellis, Ken Jennings (Jeopardy! champion), Joe Edley (Scrabble champion), and Tyler Hinman (Crossword puzzle champion).

He has won two teaching awards, has earned an entry in Who's Who in America, and is a member of Mensa and the Triple Nine Society.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important distinctions abound, February 10, 2009

By 

Robert Stewart (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Artful Nuance: A Refined Guide to Imperfectly Understood Words in the English Language (Paperback)

The Artful Nuance is a handy compendium for the careful speaker and writer who wants, as Mark Twain said, the right word, not merely the almost right word. Rod Evans has cataloged the characteristics that make similar-seeming words unique. What I enjoyed most about The Artful Nuance is that I found a number of words that have, in common use, all but blotted out another word, such as depreciate (instead of deprecate), enormousness (instead of enormity), and healthful (instead of healthy). Professor Evans helps to restore these nearly forgotten words to their rightful place by clearly explaining the differences between these and many other words. It is a joy to read his comparisons of words from amok/beserk to zeal/zest. A great book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Passion for Distinctions!, February 11, 2009

By 

D. Mayer (Columbus, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Artful Nuance: A Refined Guide to Imperfectly Understood Words in the English Language (Paperback)

In his book Discourses on Davila (1790), John Adams wrote that human beings naturally had a "passion for distinction." Although not quite the same as the passion Adams wrote about, the passion for distinctions (in the plural) that many of us have is, fortunately, shared by author Rod Evans in this delightfully informative book. Some grammar books might teach us about the distinction between the words "that" and "which," but where else but in The Artful Nuance can we learn about such distinctions as "biannual" vs. "biennial," "specious" vs. "spurious," "venal" vs. "venial," or "naked" vs. "nude"? Readers of this book also will realize the subtle differences between a "geek" and a "nerd," a "tramp" and a "vamp," or a "twerp" and a "twit." Or such nice three-way distinctions as "bum/hobo/tramp" (only two of which are necessarily homeless), "rascal/rogue/scoundrel" (which is nastiest?), or "kinky/kooky/quirky" (I'll admit to being only one!). Movie-goers will appreciate the difference between "movie" and "film," and if they like to stay to watch the credits, the distinctions between "screenplay by," "story by," and "written by." Whoever makes the signs for supermarket express lanes ought to know the distinction between "fewer" and "less." And knowing the difference between "sweet potato" and "yam" might come in handy at the next Thanksgiving dinner. Overall, I highly recommend The Artful Nuance. It's such a handy reference book that I have two copies, one for home and one for my office.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for people who love language!, August 6, 2009

By 

mello_conn "mello_conn" (Apex, NC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Artful Nuance: A Refined Guide to Imperfectly Understood Words in the English Language (Paperback)

I bought this book for a friend who is fascinated by languages and all of the little nuances that determine where sayings came from, how certain phrases came into use and so forth. He just loved this book! Anyone else who wants to know why we communicate with the phrases we use will also enjoy it.