Rating: 
Summary: Amazingly entertaining and practical!
Review: I was an English major and am currently a freelance editor, and Zinsser's book "On Writing Well" is the only writing book I've ever read that I've found to be both practical and entertaining.
First I must say that "On Writing Well" is not intended as a grammar manual; so if that is what you're looking for, this book is not for you. (In fact, a strict grammarian will find some of Zinsser's opinions and usage rather liberal.)
Zinsser does address craft, however, and this book covers a broad range of writing topics, with chapter titles ranging from "Usage" to "Humor" to "The Sound of Your Voice." One entire section of chapters is devoted to genre-specific insights.
"On Writing Well" doesn't merely tell how to improve writing techniques; it gives interesting examples--articles that I found interesting in and of themselves. In particular, an article about a Saharan caravan caught my attention, and Zinsser shows, step by step, why he wrote that article the way he did.
This book is a "must have" that increased my passion for writing and provided me with the tools to "write well." It was the first book I was told to read in my editorial internship, and I've read it at least three times since.
Rating:
Summary: A writing and editing handbook
Review: As newspaper editor, I quote Zinsser frequently and discuss passages from "On Writing Well" with reporters of all skill levels. He is the flag bearer for all editors -- when you write, tell the story clearly and concisely. Zinsser tells us how to do it -- clearly, concisely and with a style that keeps you coming back.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: Some writing books can be filled with rules and be rather dull, but this one was actually fun to read. Zinsser's dry wit and personality comes through from cover to cover. Our writing team has used it for the past couple of years and recommend it often. It is the best book on writing that we've ever used.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book.
Review: Pay attention when he says something new. He will show it to you right away.
Rating: 
Summary: Good reference for all types of writers
Review: William Zinsser's book, On Writing Well, has been a popular guide to writing for many audiences. It has been used by undergraduate and graduate students and by aspiring and professional writers. I was recommended this book by a professor when I was in grauduate school. I never took the time to read the book until recently.I found Part I and II of the book to be too simplistic and bland. Zinsser spends more time describing and discussing grammar than actually demonstrating and explaining. There are no examples of grammar just descriptions of how to use it. Perhaps, Zinsser wanted to place more emphasis on writing than grammar in the book. It is not until Part III-Forms that Zinsser addresses how to write about a specific topic. He discusses writing topics such as nonfiction, interviews, travel, memoirs, business, sports, arts and humor. I found this to be the most helpful section of the book. Part IV-Attitudes describes the role and importance of writing style and decisions in writing. If you are looking for a book that teaches grammar or is a reference guide for grammar, this is not it. This book is a reference guide for writers. If you want to learn more about writing particular types of articles or books, refer to Part III-Forms.
Rating:
Summary: An invaluable guide to effective writing.
Review: This well-presented, easy-to-read, and simple-to-understand book aimed at nonfiction writers, but from which fiction writers can also benefit, is an invaluable guide to achieving good writing through the continued use of the fundamental principles and practical insights it offers.
Written for both beginners and professionals in a strong, clear and straightforward style, it teaches how to avoid bad writing by following a methodological approach to creating, shaping and self-editing your ideas in prose.
Although sometimes the author's voice can come across as arrogant and boastful, making your read somewhat less pleasurable, I can assure you that only sound, concrete advice is presented here, free of fluff or tiring verbiage and illustrated by excellent examples that consistently emphasize the differences between correct and incorrect writing.
Divided in four parts, each made up of numerous, concise, and easy to consult chapters, it includes topics such as simplicity, style, usage, unity, leads, endings, and audience. Special attention is devoted to various types of nonfiction writing, including interviews, travel articles, memoirs, business writing, scientific and technological writing, sports articles, humor, criticisms and periodical columns.
Overall, this is one guide that can't afford to be missing from your bookshelf if you are serious about writing in a polished, well-defined and sharp style. As you write, you will find yourself referring to it again and again. For other books that focus on teaching good writing through the use of the tools of language, I also recommend Strunk's "The Elements of Style" and O'Conner's "Woe Is I" and "Words Fail Me".
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Summary: ONE FOR THE KEEPER SELF
Review: Perfectly updated, Zinsser's book on writing well reminds us of what's important in being an effective writer. This isn't about fiction, but nonfiction. In two days, I've listened to this audio tape four times. The simplicity of Zinsser's advice is refreshing. When I pick up a pen, I always remind myself to keep it simple and say it in as few words a possible. That's pretty much Zinsser's advice. He also believes one who thinks clearly should be able to write clearly. Words are tools. Learn to use the language (tool) "simply and warmly" and you can write, too. He also warns that writing is not easy. A good writer writes and rewrites. Zinsser reminds us that writing is not a contest between writers, but a transaction between the writer and the reader. "My four principles are: Clarity, Simplicity, Brevity and Humanity. If you keep those four principles in mind, there's almost nothing you can't do." Zinsser goes over the four principles and more. Each subject is to the point--as Zinsser's says, "Life is too short." Zinsser gives his readers plenty of wisdom--too much to put in one review. Any writer who takes his own work seriously and wants others to as well should buy the book or audio tape and keep it handy.
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