Customer Reviews

The Bedford Handbook

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Personally after having browsed through many English books of such nature, I find this particular book to be very useful, easy to digest and userfriendly. In my line of work which requires lots of writing of sorts, this book just made my day, taking off all the unnecessary research work and corrections that could have cost me long hours and unproductive. With this book, I can now feel confident in my writing and in my course of work but feeling great and successful. Because the book is very systematic in guiding readers on the proper and correct usage of English in both writing and speaking, it has become a 'must have ' for all readers who are wants to improve their English proficiency. I believe this book will serve me for many years to come, also to my next generation. I can tell you this, you can't find a better book than this in Malaysia, my country, not to mention Vietnam, my present residence. In fact, I just came across this book by chance through my colleague who happened to return from Sweden after visiting her husband. Of course, this book was given to her husband to help him in his course in the Maritime University. That's how I got the name and website of Bedford/St. Martin's before being directed to your site. It's a good buy for anyone who wishes to master the language in a fast, userfriendly manner. I strongly recommend this book.

This book has been with me now for three years. During those three years it has saved me hours of corrections and prehaps a few bad grades. This book is easy to follow, easy to use, and a real bargain for the price. I have used many different books in the past and have not found one that has been as useful as Hacker's Handbook for Writers. It is a clear and concise guide to MLA documentaion and writing. This is the only book when it comes to a writing. Great for all students and all ages. My only regret with this book was that I did not find it sooner!

This book is very useful as a quick referance on writing - everything from grammatical structure to some helpful hints about concise writing style. For the four years I've had it, it has served for reference through high school, and now, In Collge. If you are going to college and are going to take ANY english comp courses, it is well worth the price.

This is the best book on English grammar I have ever used. I purchased the fourth edition in 1991 while a freshman in college. I bought the fifth edition several years later while in graduate school and it is even better! This edition has been on my desk in every job I've ever held and has been an invaluable resource on a daily basis. I recommend this handbook to everyone who writes for school or for work. It's easy to use and easy to read.

--In memory of Father John Rechtein of St Mary's University, San Anotnio, TX-- the world's most amazing professor of English who had every rule of this handbook memorized by number and letter. We should all be so lucky to have a man so dedicated to the craft of our language and to a single book!

I've worked as a technical writer for several years, and find this book indispensable. While I use the Chicago Manual of Style and other authoritive writing guides, the Bedford Handbook for Writers is the first book I reach for when I need a quick answer -- the index is first-class.

Diana Hacker has an English comp book for any possible usage, she grinds them out every few years. My college requires me to use this book as a handbook. That is unfortunate.

Of course, this book provides a basic explanation of English composition, grammar, documentation, and document design and critical reading. However, the attempt in this case is to present something that is lighter than Rules for Writers, a full scale manual that is sufficient to use as the only text for a college composition course or as a full writers reference, and her Writers Reference, which is a good handy handbook that is inadequate as a full course book, but is great as a rule book to be used by students taking a course using another text.

Usuing this book, I have had to create supplements from web material for issues that I expect to be covered fully in a college handbook such as the requirements of formal writing.

To be sure there are interesting illustrations and graphics and like her other books, the text is intimately linked with the enormous online network that Hacker and her publishers have created. It is not an awful book to use, but I would prefer Rules for Writers, Jane E. Aaron's Litte Brown Handbook, or Writer's reference.

I have to be honest. I would have never bought this book if it were not for the daily quizes that my teacher took from it. However, this book covers EVERY question that I have in the wonderful world of english grammar. I don't know what I would have done without it. Its a must have for all students in college or those who just want to get the answers fast and with little jargon. Buy it, its the best money you will spend all freshman year.

Often when you're is struck by a nagging question in the middle of writing a document, you reach for some reference book that can quench the annoyance. Yet, there is nothing more frustrating than not being able to find the example and answer to your specific question in that reference. After minutes of flipping and searching, wieghing and guessing, you finally give up and decide to reword the whole thing in order to avoid the possibility of making a mistake. I have never had that problem with The Bedford Handbook. First introduced to me at New York University, I have used it ever since for personal stories to business proposals.

I have written many papers with the help of this literary wonder. It works well with the resources on http://www.dianahacker.com and is consistent with current MLA formatting. The information is well-organized and easy to find. I couldn't be happier with this book! It's even a good conversation starter if you happen to be with friends who write! Check out the section on ellipses...

This guide will prove indispensable for those of us who lack grammatical expertise. It's the little things that this book provides that are the most helpful. If you plan on training yourself to improve your writing--this guide will serve your needs.