Eats, Shoots & Leaves

Rating:
Summary: Shoot It!
Review: We may all agree that punctuation, counts. After all, even the little hyphen makes a world of difference. Take as an example "extra-marital sex" vs. "extra marital sex." That's a big difference if ever I heard one!

This book, however, erodes its claim to the importance of the rules by letting too many errors slip by. Where were the copy editors? Of course, it is written for the British and the British have differences in those rules.(North Americans say "third" rather than "thirdly" and Americans may not place a semicolin in the salutation of a business letter, for example.)

That notwithstanding, this book should have been proofed to perfection since its theme is "zero tolorance" for such things. My favorite error is "...newspapers who insist on precision..." found on page 35. And by the time you get to page 35, there are a dozen others.

Best to wait for the revised edition.



Rating:
Summary: This book was great
Review: It is incredibly uncommon to find a book that is about grammar but, nevertheless, has mass appeal. Sure, some of us peruse -- and even enjoy -- Strunk and White, but few books have the appeal of, say, _The Transitive Vampire_. This book does, and with good reason. Despite Mr. Buston's opinions -- and improper use of English (he's written a different review, to be found here somewhere), this book is a hoot. Granted, it's written for an English (as opposed to American) audience, and, therefore, a fair bit is off the mark insofar as American usage is concerned (eg., the use of double quotes). But be that as it may -- the book is rollicking fun, with tongue firmly in cheek, and damn the torpedoes.

While some might view it as a overly cynical, I found it refreshing. Furthermore, while it's all well-and-good to be a fun book, it's also handy if it is useful, to boot. And it is. There is plenty of meat to be had, and those who are wondering exactly why or where an errant apostrophe belongs will likely find the answer in Ms. Truss's book. [Yes, I know that the "s" was optional.]

In the immortal words of Douglas Adams, "Share and enjoy."

Rating:
Summary: A Stickler? Hardly.
Review: I find it strange that _The New Yorker_ has been slighted for listing the many errors in Truss's book. One review mentions that _The New Yorker_ "delighted in pointing out the errors." Another said "at least they're honest errors." The trouble with this sentimental defense is that punctuation errors in any book constitute a subject for correction; punctuation errors in a punctuation book give us a reason to pull that book from the shelves. Why would anyone want to pay for something laced with the errors it purports to correct? Truss uses mixed methods of punctuation for the same category of entry, incorrectly omits or applies commas to nonrestrictive clauses, uses parentheses to set off independent clauses, and will likely corrupt its readers' purer use of the colon and semi-colon.

In addition to its blatant errors, the book champions certain choices of style without providing reasons for its position. The choices are highly questionable. The semi-colon should not be promoted. It's an end-stop form of punctuation and often unnecessary. I used one above to link sequential clauses directly related to the same subject. In a list of one or more elements containing a comma, the semi-colon is used to separate those elements, and the list is preceded by a colon according to a standard hierarchy of punctuation. Truss misuses the colon several times, including in this statement: "Punctuation is a means, and its end is: helping the reader to hear, to follow." Beyond this error is the less obvious but equally dangerous approach to grammar that favors intrusive punctuation. The word should suffice. The period and comma are usually sufficient.

Unfortunately, some American readers likely have the impression that a British "stickler" for grammar must surely know more than we barbarian minimalists. Perhaps one benefit of _Eating, Shoots & Leaves_ is that is debunks this notion. Otherwise, what we have is the development of a cult of little knowledge. I'd like to see Truss's book set the precedent for an equally clever and salable approach to punctuation that's also properly punctuated.

Rating:
Summary: Not what I'd hoped it would be
Review: Jim Woods' "Two Dozen Lessons From An Editor" is far, far more informative.

Rating:
Summary: It's OK
Review: I think if I found her humor funny then I would appreciate the book better. She does speak the truth, I would prefer it without so many attempts at humor. Then again, the subject matter probably needs humor otherwise you would fall asleep.

Rating:
Summary: It's not a manual, it's a love letter
Review: Many of the reviews of Eats, Shoots & Leaves focus on Truss's inconsistencies, or on the English/American usage issues, missing the book's soul. Truss hasn't written a punctuation manual, she's written a love letter.

Questions of usage really are secondary to the book's purpose--it's more like a phone call to a friend after a first date when you just need to talk about the object of your affections in detail. Some might find it odd to lavish such attention on colons and dashes, but to those of us that Truss has dubbed "sticklers," it comes naturally.

A usage manual, it's not. (If you're looking for one, try Karen Elizabeth Gordon's The Well-Tempered Sentence.) But it's still got a spot on my desk right alongside the photo of my family.

It's an interesting, at times laugh-out-loud funny, tribute to punctuation's checkered past and precarious future, and, for those who love language, a great reminder of why we fell so hard in the first place.

Rating:
Summary: I hope I don't make any mistakes here
Review: Yikes! Here I am, an amateurish writer, trying to review a book about punctuation. It goes without saying that I hope I don't make any errors of my own, lest potential readers blame the author. I must fight the urge to use an example of every punctuation mark available, thus demonstrating my own brilliance. There were several things that drew me to Eats, Shoots & Leaves. Sitting atop the top-ten list was one, and I was casually interested in what it was about. Was it about wilderness survival, with the mention of herb-like plants? Perhaps it was about mass murderers, walking into school cafeterias, calmly taking lunch, and then opening fire. The answer is found on the back cover. But no, it was about punctuation, and for that reason I bought it. Lynne Truss has, in fact, written a book that I rather needed at that time (and still do).

First, I needed to know about commas. I have a good grasp of periods (full stops to British readers). I can use a hyphen passably well. I can ignore colons and semicolons, though I probably shouldn't. But commas are common. I happen to live in Germany where, as a native English speaker, I sometimes get language questions. In German, you see, there are extensive comma rules, and their placement is absolutely fixed. Funny, the Germans expect us to do the same. So one can imagine my shock and horror to read here that some English comma rules are not fixed or certain. Oh well. The refresher was still useful, and hopefully my usage has improved anyway. I've caught myself using semicolons on at least a few occasions since finishing the book, so I guess it was good for something.

Honestly, the usefulness is not in doubt. Truss does cover all the standard rules for punctuation. But that is not, I think, why the book made it to number one here on Amazon. That mystery is easily explained by reference to Truss's style and humor. Or is it Truss' style and humor? No matter; the style is there and it works. For those readers who already have a reasonably good grasp of punctuation and care enough to read the book, there are plenty of humorous one-liners of the "Eat here and get gas" sort. This is actually so common in the early chapters that the humor fades as we get near the end. How many laugh-out-loud examples can one find with improper use of hyphens anyway? For the history inclined reader, there is mention of the histories of the various marks. Truss is serious about this stuff, and she seems to rate as her personal heroes those innovators of writing and printing who helped along the development of the language. That she is passionate about punctuation is also not in doubt. Frankly, that theme became a bit tiresome by the time I was done reading, but to each her own. Overall, though, it's now clear to me why this book sold so well - a combination of its helpfulness, style, and humor. Like I've tried to do, Truss includes countless examples in her text. The style is almost conversational; it is not a handbook that describes an infinite variety of language choices in a clamped down format. So should you find yourself in foreign lands attempting to explain grammar, or just find yourself wanting to know how to write well, here is a fine book to pick up and enjoy.


Rating:
Summary: The most entertaining book about punctuation I've ever read!
Review: I borrowed Eats, Shoots & Leaves from my local library because I'd heard about it but didn't think I'd enjoy it. Was I surprised! The book is full of examples of how poor punctuation mangles meaning, with clear guidance on how punctuation should be used. But perhaps I enjoyed it more than some of the other reviewers here because, like Ms. Truss, I'm a stickler and can't bear to see poorly punctuated signs and headlines. I enjoyed Ms. Truss's sense of humor and, frankly, some of her jokes had me laughing out loud.

I don't however, recommend the book as a guide for American readers who need help with punctuation. The differences between punctuation in British and American English are considerable at times -- for example, the placement of periods at the end of quotes and the use of periods in abbreviations -- and someone who is not aware of the rules may be confused by the examples, which usually show the British style. Instead, the book is better for readers who already have a good grasp of punctuation. The book includes fascinating history, colorful examples, and hilarious commentary. Who'd expect that in a book about punctuation?

As for my library copy, I'm bringing it back today. I've already ordered a printed copy from Amazon.com to send to one of my editors (who I've nicknamed "the comma king") and an audio copy to listen to on my next long drive. Somehow, I get the feeling that hearing a British voice read the book's text will make it even more enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: I don't care about punctation; yet I enjoyed this book!
Review: Well, I'll be the first to admit that I could care less about punctuation. If the author ever read this review, she'd probably have multiple heart attacks because of my use of punctuation. In other words, I don't care. So, why did this book entertain me? Well, because, I never knew that punctuation was really that important.

Though some of the humor is not that humurous, Truss gives us a unique, eye-opening, and amusing view of someone who is a hardcore punctuation stickler. She fully admits her obsessiveness and presents her point of view in an interesting way. She points out common errors in the present day, in her own life, and in history. For a subject this dry, she more than makes up for it with her fluid writing style.

Not only does she explain common problems, she also gives rules and usages for all types of punctation. It is very interesting and informative. However, much of it was simplified, so it can't really be used as reference book.

All in all, everyone should read it. No, it didn't change my life, but it does make me pause and consider the proper use of punctuation. It does lift away the fog of mystery that surrounds colons, semi-colons, parantheses, etc. If a book makes you look at reading the written word a little differently, then it's done it's job.

Rating:
Summary: Be Logical!
Review: In my opinion, this book tries to do two things: note the correct vs. incorrect use of punctuation and impress upon the reader (or rather the writer) the importance of adhering to a standard of language that will clarify one's meaning. As far as correct vs. incorrect usage, the book creates no end of confusion. It quotes from one novelist or playwright to another, goes back in time to the origin of certain punctuation norms, and tells us about English vs. American usage. It shows so many variations in usage, and excuses so much of these variations, that what comes through is that there is really no absolute standard for the English language. But on the second point, relating punctuation to clarity, she is right on. While some of her examples seem just plain silly (has anyone ever seen confusion between a comma and an apostrophe) her point comes across to me as: pay attention to punctuation and use it with logic and deliberation.

I don't understand why she has to include a paean to herself in her Foreword . . that is just plain rude to the reader, who has already purchased the book, and who should be able to make up his/her own mind about how great the author is.