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Garner's Modern American Usage 2nd Edition

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Bryan A. Garner (Author)
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33 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0195161915
ISBN-10: 0195161912
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Product Details

  • Series: Garner's Modern American Usage
  • Hardcover: 928 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press; 2 edition (October 30, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0195161912
  • ISBN-13: 978-0195161915
  • Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 2 x 6.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

152 of 157 people found the following review helpful
A worthy heir to Fowler
By Brian Melendez on December 16, 2003
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
For three generations, a single book dominated the market as the authoritative reference in matters of grammar, style, and usage in the English language: "A Dictionary of Modern English Usage" by H.W. Fowler, first published in 1926, ably revised by Sir Ernest Gowers in 1965, and now in its third edition (published 1996). But by the century's last quarter, the modern English language -- particularly its American dialect -- had begun outgrowing Fowler, and several newer guides began competing with it. The third (1996) edition of Fowler was a disappointment, and left the field without a clear leading authority.
That gap was filled in 1998, when Bryan A. Garner wrote "A Dictionary of Modern American Usage" (published by the Oxford University Press, which also published Fowler). Finally, someone had written a book that matched Fowler -- not only in its erudition, but also in its accessible style, and even its wry sense of humor. And Garner's book had the advantages of being written both in modern times for a modern audience, and in the United States by an American author about American English. The book is a gem, and as authoritative a reference as you will find in this field in the last several decades (and probably the next several too).
"Garner's Modern American Usage" is this oustanding work's second edition, now retitled after its author in view of the acclaim that the first edition earned. A new edition is appearing after only five years because, as Garner explains, "changing usage isn't really the primary basis for a new edition of a usage guide: it's really a question of having had five more years for research." The payoff shows.Read more ›
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93 of 100 people found the following review helpful
Roll over Fowler; tell Partridge the news...
By Dennis Littrell HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on April 30, 2004
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
This is a brilliant book. It is as erudite and authoritative as a usage book should be, but without offensive cant or needless pedantry. It is scrupulously edited and handsomely presented by the Oxford University Press in their usual exemplary manner. While Bryan A.Garner concentrates on American English usage (that's where the market is) he is no stranger to "BrE" or any other kind of English. Just to give you a hint about what makes the man tick and why he is now considered the preeminent authority on "grammar, usage, and style" (as a blurb on the book's cover--for a change--rightly has it), consider these words from the Preface to the Second Edition:

"People have asked whether enough has really changed in English usage since 1998 to justify a new edition. The answer is that changing usage isn't really the primary basis for a new edition of a usage guide: it's really a question of having had five more years for research."

He isn't kidding. What Garner brings to this usage book that completely dwarfs* all previous efforts is a gargantuan research regimen. This is clear from the thousands of examples of usage presented, both good and bad, from all manner of publications: newspapers, small town and big city; novels, classic and contemporary; magazines and journals, literary and scientific, etc. Garner obviously has a passion for words and seems determined to let no genre or form of reading matter go unread or unscrutinized. I didn't find an example from one of my reviews, but (given the many faux pas that I have, alas, committed in nearly 800 reviews) I fully expect that dubious honor in the third edition!). Yes, Garner is onto the Web and indeed he frequently quotes statistics of use garnered (sorry!Read more ›
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
A worthy heir to Fowler
By Brian Melendez on November 26, 2003
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
For three generations, a single book dominated the market as the authoritative reference in matters of grammar, style, and usage in the English language: "A Dictionary of Modern English Usage" by H.W. Fowler, first published in 1926, ably revised by Sir Ernest Gowers in 1965, and now in its third edition (published 1996). But by the century's last quarter, the modern English language -- particularly its American dialect -- had begun outgrowing Fowler, and several newer guides began competing with it. The third (1996) edition of Fowler was a disappointment, and left the field without a clear leading authority.
That gap was filled in 1998, when Bryan A. Garner wrote "A Dictionary of Modern American Usage" (published by the Oxford University Press, which also published Fowler). Finally, someone had written a book that matched Fowler -- not only in its erudition, but also in its accessible style, and even its wry sense of humor. And Garner's book had the advantages of being written both in modern times for a modern audience, and in the United States by an American author about American English. The book is a gem, and as authoritative a reference as you will find in this field in the last several decades (and probably the next several too).
"Garner's Modern American Usage" is this oustanding work's second edition, now retitled after its author in view of the acclaim that the first edition earned. A new edition is appearing after only five years because, as Garner explains, "changing usage isn't really the primary basis for a new edition of a usage guide: it's really a question of having had five more years for research." The payoff shows.Read more ›
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

A basic tool

This book is essential for anyone who cares about clear and correct English. I use it constantly.

Published 24 days ago by JG
I find this book a treasure-trove of good advice. Some of my...

I purchased Garner's for my work in technical writing and eventually bought a newer version for my home use. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Doug Thompson
Best General-Purpose Reference Book

Keep it handy if you have trouble remembering the difference between compose and comprise (never "comprised of"). Good for checking usage in tricky situations. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Miles N
My favorite

One of my favorite reference books.

Published 7 months ago by Lovephobia
Essential for editors and copy readers

I am a part time copy reader so this book is very useful for me. It gives answers to problems that I can't find elsewhere. I highly recommend it.

Published 9 months ago by Karen Drysdale
Useful and fun! ~

A chance recommendation by a fellow reviewer on an Amazon "Top Reviewers" thread turned me on to this wonderful book (2003 edition) and my life is changing for the better. Read more

Published 21 months ago by Allen Smalling
A Superb Read

You can read this book for sheer pleasure as well as for information. I take it to bed with me every night. Read more

Published on May 28, 2013 by Sidney Gendin
The Gold Standard

Garner is the man. Authoritative, sophisticated advice from a deep thinker on language matters. Nice nuanced up-to-date reasoning on American usage. Read more

Published on November 11, 2012 by Verbal Drug
Easy to use & understand - even for a non-professional

After 20 years developing software, I switched to product marketing - with a related but wholly different set of skill requirements. Read more

Published on February 11, 2009 by Cheryl
Brilliant, essential; a masterpiece

I have purchased several of Mr. Garner's books and this one, like all the others, is a masterpiece. Mr. Read more

Published on May 19, 2008 by D. Miller

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