Rating: 
Summary: Let's keep to writing, not politics.
Review: Zinsser was a professor at Yale during the sixties and sadly it shows. Throughout this book he constantly illustrates writing points he is trying to make by using political anecdotes, all of which presume the reader shares his liberal bias. In a section on eloquence he writes, "The cadences of Jefferson, Lincoln, Curchill, Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson came rolling down to me. (The cadences of Eisenhower, Nixon and Reagan did not.)" OK. I'll spot him Ike and Nixon. But Reagan? He earned the title "The Great Communicator" and was teamed with a truly eloquent and gifted speechwriter, Peggy Noonan. In the following paragraph he cites Mario Cuomo and Jesse Jackson as two who have restored his faith in the nobility of language as a means of addressing the populace. Cuomo maybe, but Jackson? This book is dated and tiresome. Save your money and time and instead read something truly useful such as "When Words Collide".
Rating: 
Summary: EXCELLENCE AT ITS BEST
Review: I was required to read this book as part of a writing course. I thought it would be dull and boring. But, I couldn't have been more wrong. It's an EXCELLENT book. It's filled with lots of great ideas and the author is hilarious.
Rating:
Summary: This book is EXCELLENT
Review: Since I've endeavored to follow my dream over the past three years to write a novel and my memoirs, I've purchased several books on writing. If there's anything that I can't stand, it's to read something that just doesn't hold my attention or is downright boring. And believe me, I've purchased a few books like that too. But (and Zinsser says it's okay to start a sentence with BUT), I caught a post on Writers Net that made mention of William Zinsser's book about writing nonfiction. I don't buy a book now without checking it out first. I'll have to admit that I was quite impressed with the reviews posted for Zinsser's book. I ordered it. I'm still patting myself on the back and wish I'd ordered the book three years ago when I first started writing. The first chapter in the book had me grinning from ear to ear. Thus,the first thing that came to my mind was "the man's got style". By the time I'd finished reading this book, I knew the man had a lot more going for him than just style. Any writing instructor that manages to write a "how to" book, and still make the book an enjoyable read, definitely has my respect. But (I love this) more than being an enjoyable read, it was an informative read. I highlight important information of a instruction book in bright yellow. Zinsser's book looked like a coloring book on the inside after I'd finished reading it. I'll place this book on my desk for quick reference in the future. I recommend it to anyone who is just starting out or has already made it in the literary world. Zinsser gets my vote as one of the very best in giving good writing instructors.
Rating:
Summary: A writing book for everyone
Review: This book is the most democratic book on writing I have ever come across. Early on, Zinsser declares that good writers are not sublimely-inspired Van Goghs or Mozarts, but solitary drugdes wading through their drafts over and over to smooth out the sentences. "Most people don't realize, how bad their writing is," says Zinsser. But this book is about building confidence and being satisfied with your efforts. The middle chapters on the different types of writing got a little encyclopedic for my taste. But the final chapters were worth waiting for, especially chapter 23 "A Writer's Decisions." In it, the author goes line by line through a travel article he wrote to explain all of his choices. Thoroughly fascinating.
Rating:
Summary: My New Hero
Review: With three sentences, William Zinsser became my new hero: "Many of us were taught that no sentence should begin with "but." If that's what you learned, unlearn it - there's no stronger word at the start. It announces a total contrast with what has gone before, and the reader is thereby primed for the change." In my years as a freelance writer, no single word has been the cause of as many arguments with inexperienced editors and know-it-all clients as the tiny "but." Finally, I hold in my hands the opinion of a recognized authority (one who has served on the usage panel of "The American Heritage Dictionary") who can put an end to this quibbling. But this isn't all that recommends this book. "On Writing Well" is possibly the best-written, most-accessible coverage of effective nonfiction writing that I have ever seen. The shelves of most writers (including my own) and many bookstores are filled with how-to books on writing. Most of these tend to be of the spiritual or advice-giving sort: helping writers overcome blocks, feeling good about a suspicious career choice, getting published and the like. At the opposite pole, many of the rest focus on the minutiae of arcane linguistic rules. Zinsser takes on writing. In 300 pages (which in themselves serve as an admirable example of effective prose) he tackles a broad range of subjects such as style, tone, word usage, structure, and unity, and applies these principles to various forms of nonfiction writing: the interview, the travel article, the memoir, etc. A breath of fresh air, this. The author finds the practical middle ground between the bubbly motivational and dry-as-dirt grammar books that so many of us find ourselves reading when we're not writing. No small wonder that this book has gone through numerous editions since it was first published - it is an invaluable tool. Take down your bookshelves and put up a framed portrait of Mr. Zinsser. This is one of the few books you'll actually need (and re-read) on your way to becoming a better writer.
Rating:
Summary: Belongs on the bookshelf of every serious writer
Review: A colleague recommended this book to me, upon hearing about my ambition to be a syndicated newspaper columnist. After reading it, I can see why. "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser belongs on the bookshelf of every serious non-fiction writer. This is a book I plan to read again and again. People who write for a living (newspaper reporters and columnists, for example) will find this book to be of value, but it also has much to offer for people in any vocation that requires effective communication. If you think clearly, you can write clearly, argues Mr. Zinsser, and then explains, step-by-step, how to do so. Mr. Zinsser writes with a very engaging and approachable style. With the book now in its sixth edition, he has had considerable time to improve his delivery. The end result is a book that is very entertaining, as well as a valuable resource. I have only one disagreement with Mr. Zinsser, and that is when he states, "Unlike medicine or the other sciences, writing has no new discoveries to spring on us. We're in no danger of reading in our morning newspaper that a breakthrough has been made in how to write a clear English sentence." In my opinion, the English language is constantly evolving. Maybe sentence structure will remain the same, but our vocabulary will continually change as new words enter the language as slang and later become accepted terms. Could anyone have imagined that "granny flat" would become part of our language? Or how about the examples that Mr. Zinsser cites in recounting his experiences upon the usage panel for the American Heritage Dictionary --"rambunctious," "trigger," "rile," "shambles," "tycoon," "trek" and "escalate." Evolution of the English language remains unfinished. With the pronoun "he" being problematic for avoiding perceptions of sexism, use of a gender-neutral pronoun may someday become widespread. Maybe the next writer who reads Mr. Zinsser's book will apply its teachings to ger own writing. Gen will then go on to win a Pullitzer Prize.
Rating: 
Summary: "On Writing Well" Says It All
Review: On Writing Well is just as crucial to clarifying the writing process as Mortimer J. Adler's How to Read a Book is to understanding the reading process. In essence, Zinsser's main thrust - and oft-repeated standard - is that simplicity is what differentiates between good writing and bad writing. Most importantly yet, simplicity lends force and incisiveness to any literary form. To sprinkle a text with flowery adjectives, adverbs, and worn-out idiomatic phrases is in fact to clutter it and weaken it. In this book, William Zinsser makes a strong case for writing well. Most importantly, he shows not only what good writing is, but he gives us the key to producing good literature regardless of the purposes and preferences of each writer. Furthermore, he bases what he says on a strong foundation of examples, both pro and con. The good humor pervading his work - which differentiates it from the spiteful nit-picking of other self-styled teachers who believe themselves entitled to an opinion - is an added asset to this delightful discourse. To read it, regardless of whether you agree or not, is to be profoundly affected. But be warned! After reading this book, you'll catch yourself being objectively critical of your own writing and what you read of others'. This is a book that will make you think. Still, isn't that what good books are all about? - Benjamin Gene Gardner
Rating:
Summary: Easy to see why it's "the classic"!
Review: Zinsser gently debunks all the myths, assures beginning writers that they're not crazy (or, if they ARE, that all writers are crazy, so it's okay!), and offers tips and tricks for crafting a variety of different article styles, from travel and sports writing to personal essays and humour. His observations will help any writer, beginner or not, to identify his or her style and find a niche in which to build a successful career with integrity. This book won't give you the nuts and bolts: how much to charge, how to find specific markets... but what it does give -- a sturdy compass to guide you through the world of writing -- is worth infinitely more and never wears out no matter how experienced you eventually become. Definitely one for the bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: Gotta write something? Read this first.
Review: When I opened this book the first time, I fancied myself a good writer. I had just landed a job as a copywriter, and I felt pretty good about myself. Then my boss walked into my office and dropped a copy of Zinsser's classic on my desk. "This is your first assignment," he said. So I read. What a revelation! According to Zinsser, I was guilty of a multitude of sins: clutter, fuzzy thinking, poor usage, passive verbs, you name it. So I repented, and now I'm a disciple. This book is as engaging as it is instructive. It's so easy to read and understand, you can't help but improve. It spells out everything that's wrong most people's writing, then provides simple solutions. You'll cut pounds of fat from your writing. Your sentences will sparkle and your paragraphs will dance. Best of all, your readers will read, not groan. The book is billed for writers of nonfiction, but its benefits extend to all writers. If you enjoy writing, even if you hate to write but find yourself in a profession that demands it, this book will vastly improve your work. It should grace every writer's bookshelf, right next to Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style" and Kilpatrick's "The Writer's Art."
Rating:
Summary: Good Basic Principles
Review: This is a must have for the non-fiction writer. The author distills the basics of writing into a few basic principles that are easy to remember.
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