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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Even the title,
This review is from: Buckley: The Right Word (Harvest Book) (Paperback)
When I first became an avid reader of Mr. Buckley's work I was amazed at how often his use of words was attacked. I wondered whether a new crime bill had been passed that outlawed a person being articulate. Why should someone who joyfully uses language be pilloried for doing so? Even commercial reviewers feel the need to go to their thesaurus, trot out words that they have never used before and look foolish. They become guilty of the offense of affectation that so often is the charge against Mr. Buckley.This collection of writing, and with it the discussion of language is many things, at no point is it not worthy of the reader's time. For all on Amazon who write their thoughts about a book, there is a section on reviewing that is priceless. The correspondence that is shared between his readers and Mr. Buckley set the standard for wit. What is the alternative his detractors seek? Perhaps one of those books "English For Dummies?" I suppose a minimal number of words, subsidized with hand signals and grunts would please some. I choose to adhere to Mr. Buckley's love of language, even though when he is the writer I am often reduced to flipping through a dictionary. So what! The decriminalization of learning was passed long ago. Freedom of speech includes the right to expand your vocabulary in the pursuit of your happiness. To the extent others are bothered, again, so what? Apathy may have become a national pastime, but it is not required. This book was carefully titled. I don't mean to shock his detractors but Mr. Buckley is a Conservative, so "right" was the only alternative for the title. Correct, appropriate, acceptable, could never do for this master of language. He uses a word because it works, because his choice enhances the reading and listening experience. Grab a dictionary, expand your lexicon, the pain is minimal.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Official Guide to Using Language with Precision,
By Mary E. Lewis (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Buckley: The Right Word (Harvest Book) (Paperback)
This book by William F. Buckley is a greatly entertaining piece to those who enjoy the trivial points of the English Language. It explores all areas of the language, such as diction, speaking style and the most common abuses of our language. My favorite part of the book is Buckley's series of letters from some of his readers. These letters provide insight to the personality of Buckley and also show his unforgiving grasp of the English language.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
When I read Buckley I hear Bach,
By A Customer
This review is from: Buckley: The Right Word (Harvest Book) (Paperback)
I read this book earlier this year. Because of this book I have discovered Jorge Luis Borges. Because of this book I recently ordered Kilpatrick's "The Writer's Art". I discovered things about Buckley that I did not know. I knew about the CIA stuff, but I did not know about his MexicAnglo childhood. I now listen to the way he speaks when I see him on TV and wonder what was the effect on me of speaking two other languages before English. I consider English my normal language of communication at this point in my life. One of the most enjoyable excerpts was the letter about his mother. A tear came to my eye. The letters between he and "Kilpo" were amusing. The interview with Borges was illuminating. I often look at a book and evaluate the book in light of whether it excites me enough to read other books on the topic. Many books close a topic for me. This one opened all sorts of doorways.
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