On Language [Paperback]

William Safire (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Books (P) (December 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380564572
• ISBN-13: 978-0380564576
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,284,613 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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Writers Must Read This, June 11, 2010

By 

Ted L. Glines (Northeast Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On Language (Paperback)

At the end of 1979, the late William Safire wrote the "On Language" column for the New York Times Magazine. Proper word-usage ["who" vs. "whom" ... etc.] was his realm of expertise, and his column contained essential style information for his readers, who often submitted comments and corrections. Both the column and the reader-feedback were combined alphabetically into a rich dialogue in this book, copyrighted 1980 and published by AVON BOOKS in December 1981. I am reminded that major publications often have an official style-sheet; lengthy and detailed word- and punctuation-usage which will be adhered to in material they approve for publication. What a shame it may be to have your excellent story or essay or poem rejected because it contained erroneous usage of punctuations or words. This can happen. Even though Safire's "On Language" was copyrighted in 1980, its guidelines still apply, and this book should be a must-read for writers who wish to be published today.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars William Safire may be dead, but he'll never be forgotten., November 2, 2009

By 

Janice T. Uttley "classical creature" (Charlotte, NC, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On Language (Paperback)

William Safire was a genius with telling us what the English language was all about. And how to use it effectively.