Customer Reviews

Fallacies and Pitfalls of Language: The Language Trap (Dover Language Guides)

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this is a short, concise, well-written book; a very readable (and affordalbe) survey of informal logic/logical fallacies. it's length is nice, esp. if you need help with this topic but are pressed for time or swamped by other reading (i.e. are a law student). note: this might be useful in preparing for the LSAT, since half of the LSAT tests your skills in informal logic and analyzing arguments. i found this to be better than "the art of deception" in both style and content (and it's shorter and less expensive too).

Mr. Engel's latest book is as entertaining as it is informative. Through a series of colorful examples, the author examines the most common fallacies in the use of words and language. Though at times the topics addressed are obvious and some chapters are redundant, overall his treatment of language and its pitfalls is generally compelling and well worth the time it takes to read this gem of a book.

This book gives an interesting overview of logical fallacies common in today's political arena. Unfortunately, the author impunes language rather than logic in the erroneous title: "Fallacies and pitfalls of language: the language trap." There is little in the book to support a hypothesis that language is the culprit in the examples cited; in each case, it is a logical fallacy that causes problems.

As an introductory book in logic, this volume is similar to others. It focuses primarily of religious and political arguments, rather than interpersonal matters, as do most such books.

I would recommend this book to those already familiar with logic who want some additional examples.

This is a neat book. It encourages us to question everyday remarks which seem simple in meaning but may be loaded with attempts to persuade and manipulate. The author dissects examples bit by bit, revealing the true intent behind what has been stated. Obvious examples are in advertising and politics. But individuals often use words in the same way, and sometimes accidentally against themselves. For example the man who wrote to his wife from Paris "Having a good time. Wish you were her." That and many more examples make this a really funny read. One thing to beware of: I ended up with two copies of the same book because of two different subtitles. The other one reads "The Language Trap or How to Defend Yourself Against the Tyranny of Words." I THINK THIS IS MISLEADING. THE LISTING IN AMAZON MAKES IT LOOK LIKE THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT BOOKS. BUT THEY ARE ONE AND THE SAME. BUYER BEWARE!