Customer Reviews

The Writer's Presence: A Pool of Readings

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I found this book at my favorite bookstore and have been reading it from cover to cover since. Though it's apparently used for classes, if you love reading and especially writing, then this book has ALL examples of the finest in every category. It is a winner and I only put it down to write this brief review! I am so glad that I picked it up, I saw others but they dull in comparison. I have the 4th edition and don't really see the need for the 5th since I'm reading it for pleasure and it's much cheaper and easier to find too! I hope that you enjoy it as much as I am right now.

This book was required for a writing class I took in college. I am not rating based on the quality of the writings, but on another matter. One interesting thing about this collection is that so many of the works contained in this book are in the public domain and can easily be read online for free or bought elsewhere in print for much cheaper. Or use the public library!

Examples:
The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson
Second Inaugural Address by Abraham Lincoln
Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Learning to Read and Write by Frederick Douglass

And many more, plus magazine article reprints that are often put online for free reading.

I just wanted to make potential buyers aware of this fact before dumping close to $60 into something in which much of its contents are free. I bet you could buy all the copyrighted works in individual print separately for far less than this collection as a whole.

Like nearly all textbooks, this book is a true rip-off, and costs far more than it is worth. If it wasn't used in college, it would probably be a $20 book, if that. If your class requires it, then I guess you are a victim like the rest of us, be sure to buy used. If you are not required to buy it, don't! Don't support the publishers that gouge the students just because they know they can get away with it! Just my 2 cents.

****EDIT: 8/21/10*****
Good to see the price this book is selling for has dropped to next to nothing. Unfortunatly that probably just means the publisher put out a newer edition and colleges are requiring that one instead.

I first encountered this book in AP Literature in high school. Then I bought this book because I loved the personal essays. There are questions in the back of each essay for you to analyze the writing piece and it really helps to make you think about how an author presents an idea.

Exactly what I needed for School and got it for a much more reasonable cost then on campus or through the regular ordering routes. It came in the condition stated..
Even though it's a college text book, it's a delight to read. It's an up to date and beautiful colletion of literary gems ranging from modern times back to the past. It has some short pieces by Twain that I had never read before. What a treat to read his short stories. One peice, by a modern writer, was so moving that as I read it, tears were streaming down my face. This will be one college text book that will stay in my library.
I'm using Amazon.com to get all of my college books from now on!!
THANK YOU AMAZON.COM!!!!

The book was rated at very good. When I received the book, it had standard wear-and-tear. But it also had a section of the book where the pages had separated from the spine. At best I would rate the book in an okay condition.

The book was alright. Had a couple torn pages but still usable. Don't know if i'll order from them again.

This book is amazing it includes the greatest essays i have ever read. I am studying in college and this book is requiered. For people who like to analize and enjoy reading short essays this is great; the different type of topics is very wide and the opinions from one writer to the other have a huge gap, which offers a variety of points of view.

Book came in great condition. Not a single mark through any of the pages and looked brand new. Recieved book rather quickly and was very happy with the transaction overall. Great seller and would do business with them again anytime.

I ordered this ordered this book on Friday, Monday it arrived at my house. Super quick shipping. The book was in great condition.

I bought a book from them. they sent to me the book which missed more than 10 pages. I wanted they send the copy of this pages to me, but they did not da that. Do Not Buy Their Book, they will give you the book just like me.