Language Maven Strikes Again [Paperback]

William Safire (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1991 | ISBN-10: 0805017666 | ISBN-13: 978-0805017663

In this sixth collection of his syndicated "On Language" columns, Safire deals wittily, playfully and, above all, instructively with thorny linguistic issues. He takes to task writers who use the passive voice, elitists who grimly stick to "dicta" and "memoranda" despite the general preference for "-ums," and groups who declare themselves offended by the use of certain words (such as "tribes"). The lordly language maven discusses the proper use of "his/hers/theirs," the pronunciation of "vagaries," the naming of pets and perfumes, the difficulty of pinning down a definition of "secular humanism." As in previous collections, Safire includes articulate and ornery responses from the Gotcha! Gang, the Nitpickers League, and such individuals as Jacques Barzun, Daniel Moynihan and Art Buchwald.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this sixth collection of his syndicated "On Language" columns, Safire deals wittily, playfully and, above all, instructively with thorny linguistic issues. He takes to task writers who use the passive voice, elitists who grimly stick to "dicta" and "memoranda" despite the general preference for "-ums," and groups who declare themselves offended by the use of certain words (such as "tribes"). The lordly language maven discusses the proper use of "his/hers/theirs," the pronunciation of "vagaries," the naming of pets and perfumes, the difficulty of pinning down a definition of "secular humanism." As in previous collections, Safire includes articulate and ornery responses from the Gotcha! Gang, the Nitpickers League, and such individuals as Jacques Barzun, Daniel Moynihan and Art Buchwald.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 447 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co (P) (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805017666
• ISBN-13: 978-0805017663
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,468,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Safire began his writing career as a reporter, became a speechwriter in the Nixon White House, and re-crossed the street to write an Op-Ed column in the New York Times for the next three decades. He also wrote the weekly "On Language" column in the New York Times Magazine. He was a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for commentary and the Medal of Freedom.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Language Maven STrikes Again, February 8, 2008

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Cooper's Antiques "Cooper's Antiques" (Maryville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Language Maven Strikes Again (Hardcover)

Language Maven is just one of William Safire's claims to fame. He is also a bestselling novelist, a political columnist for The New York Times, and the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary.

In a previous "incarnation" he worked as a senior speechwriter in the Nixon White House.