Customer Reviews

Eureka!: Discover and Enjoy the Hidden Power of the English Language

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I was recommended this book by a friend and very glad I got it. This book is a real gem---it has everything from mind-bending puzzles, humorous discussions about the use of the English language, and very valuable and practical thoughts about management, presenting ideas and leadership. The section on Interviews is a must read for anyone participates in the interview process either as interviewer or interviewee. I had my college-age daughter read it as she is in the process of trying to get internships. Royce imparts some great wisdom that helped her prepare for the interviews.

Parts of the book hit close to home (like my habit of using parentheses too much) and thanks to the author, I now have a list of words I need to eliminate from my vocabulary since I now know they are not words at all! If you are a puzzle lover you will be treated some mind benders you have probably never experienced. My average scrabble score has gone up a few points thanks to two very small but powerful words tucked away in the last chapter.

More than anything though, this is one of those books that you always will want to keep within arms length---on the coffee table, in the briefcase, or that someplace special where you spend time every day. No matter where you enter the book, there is some gem of an idea or whacky observation that will give you a good chuckle (I never stopped to think that a building could burn up or burn down and the result is the same). The breadth of the book is amazing. Actually, IMHO this is like the very precise thing I was looking for in the cacophony of books out there (that will be like nails scratching a chalkboard to the author). I am very gruntled with this book.

This is a different genre for the author Walker Royce whose other book in on the economics of iterative software development. This new book, published quite recently, covers a pretty wide range of topics about English and its use in a variety of contexts.

Part of the book is interesting and amusing when it deals with puns, synonyms, oxymorons, and unusual words and curious word combinations. But the book also has a more serious theme. It has a great deal to say about the most effective methods of presenting ideas in words for technical writers, for marketing teams, and for effective group communication.

In a sense this book resembles Pirsig's famous book on Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. In other words the surface of the book is entertaining, but there are deeper messages that make the book important. A number of companies might find Walker's book very useful for training employees in the essence of effective business communication.

For those who enjoy using English well, Walker's book would be a good companion to H.L Mencken's book on The American Language.

Capers Jones

I became familiar with the puzzles in this book through Geocaching. The puzzles presented on the website were challenging and addicting. The author had informed me of his website and this book, and I became interested in what it might hold in store. I obtained a copy of Eureka and began the wild adventure. Royce expertly traverses through many different topics, ranging from the nitty gritty of the English language to characterization of personalities to interviewing skills to romance. This book provided insight to me in many of the chapters and will certainly help me become a more effective communicator. It contains numerous life lessons that should be taken to heart and practiced throughout life. This book has terrific opportunities for application too: solving mind stimulating puzzles with friends and family, knowing how to better communicate with and handle other people, using various exercises as icebreakers for business. The list goes on. The puzzles scattered throughout the book will undoubtedly provide me with countless hours of entertainment, and are definitely something my friends and family will appreciate. Eureka has given me an enhanced outlook on communication and the English language - one that I will cherish and notice constantly now that it has pointed out to me. Reading this book has been an invaluable experience that I would easily recommend to anyone and everyone interested.

The entire time I was reading Walker Royce's "Eureka!..." I kept thinking, why didn't I have this book when: I was writing college term papers; sending out resumes; preparing for my first job interview; creating presentations; editing various publications; writing endless technical papers; introducing my sons to the beauty of the English language; and subsequently, reviewing their writing for many years to follow.

Royce's book excels beyond any other compendium on writing I've ever read, covering everything from the complex world of interpersonal communications to team dynamics and the intimacy of romance. Royce illustrates the mysteries and marvels of communications with overflowing enthusiasm, tongue-in-cheek humor, and torturous brain teasers. The chapter on verbosity alone is reason enough to buy this book.

Can a book on proper English usage teach life lessons? To use one of my favorite three-letter words, "yes." Royce infuses his common sense philosophy on life and personal interaction into his practical communication guidelines. He not only guides us on how to use words, but also gives us words to live by.

Would I recommend this book to just anyone? No, I would recommend it to everyone!

Effective communication skills have a huge impact on how we connect with people in every aspect of our lives. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to be a more effective communicator. The author tackles this subject from several different and interesting perspectives and uses a combination of patterns, puzzles, and real-life experiences to make this one of the more enjoyable and useful books that I've read in a long time. It's obvious that the author is passionate about this subject.

If you like discovering those nuggets of wisdom to apply in your own life, this book is full of eureka moments. I'm confident that this is one of those books that I'll re-read and discover more each time.

I'd also encourage people to visit the author's website where you can connect with Walker and find more practical guidance .... and of course more puzzles. [...]

I found this book very useful in many ways. There are many good ideas on how to

communicate effectively in various situations.

First part of the book covers the basics of English language.

This part is very helpful in avoiding common mistakes in English

Second part covers very useful guidance on how to communicate effectively in high-state situations like

presentations, selling ideas, teamwork etc. There is a chapter on romance as well!

(I wish I had this book during my college days.)

Walker's other book "Software Project Management - a Unified Framework" is a great

reference for software professionals; this book is a great reference

for anyone who would like to improve communication - from students to professionals.

Improving communication is considered a very boring topic and is often overlooked.

Walker's writing style and inclusion of puzzles made this topic more enjoyable and thought provoking.

As a communications professional, I always seek for more effective ways of stressing a point or topic. This book is a great choice for not only business professionals looking ways to improve their communication skills, but is also an excellent supplemental text for students seeking to communicate in a succinct fashion. From Verbosity to the misuse of words, which people do frequently and unknowingly - this book has taken the "challenging" subject of English - and made it fun.

And yes, I deliberately overused punctuation above.... :^D

Eureka is a book for everyone-- from high school students to business managers-- who love the English language and would like to improve how they communicate. With dazzling word puzzles, practical writing and speaking advice, spot-on interviewing techniques, and even a chapter on romance, Eureka is a book I will turn to again and again.

This is an eclectic book, both more fun and more insightful than any English book I ever encountered in high school, college, or since. I worked with the author for five years at IBM and the book mirrors the man: He has wide-ranging interests, deep knowledge built on first-hand experience, the ability to make the complex simple, rock-solid professional integrity, and a playful sense of fun.

The first three chapters are about English, ranging from its power, to its illogical elements, to guidelines for writing and speaking better. He keeps them lively through puzzles and humor. I loved, for example, his list of 120 synonyms for "drunk" and the section on impotent adverbs had me laughing. Although I enjoyed and learned from the first three chapters, it's the next four chapters that make this book so valuable. Chapters 4-7 pass along the author's hard-won wisdom about how to communicate with others in both professional and personal situations. I wish that I had read these chapters early in my adult and professional life. I'll certainly encourage my young adult children to read them now.

If you're interested in words, puzzles, or being a better communicator -- and who isn't -- this is a great book for you!

If Walker Royce reads the title of this review he'll either smile or frown . . . when you read the book you will understand why.

The other eloquently written reviews were apparently posted by wordsmiths like Walker. I'm not surprised that every one of them found the book to be informative, challenging, humorous, and thought provoking. Readers who love language will enjoy the book.

It is my hope that educators who are responsible for introducing worthwhile rhetoric to young minds will grasp this work and share it with those minds. Perhaps some popular or respected entertainer will recommend Eureka! to the public. I am impressed by the potential value of this fresh approach to the nuances of our language in a day when pristine verbal or written communication has been replaced by painful "texted" abbreviations and smiley faces. If I were responsible for a formal learning environment I would make Eureka! required reading, irrespective of my discipline.

Whether the reader is interested in a reminder (or instruction!) about the finer points of diction and syntax, a positive and creative outlook on life, characteristics of better interpersonal interaction, or challenging word puzzles, all and more are to be found in Eureka!. A warning: The puzzles are not for the impatient or distracted reader!

Do yourself a favor. Purchase this book and set aside some time when you can read intently without distraction. Plan to be surprised, enlightened, and reminded. Plan to reread passages and chapters. Plan to wish you could spend some time sitting around chatting with the author to see what makes such a creative author "tick".