Rating: 
Summary: Timeless
Review: Been on my desk for years. A must have for anyone who writes. A perfect gift for a student aged 9-99. The perfect size for browsing or quick look-ups at 2 a.m. when that paper is due in the morning! Very clearly laid out.
Rating:
Summary: less is more
Review: So far I have given "The Elements of Style" as a gift to at least six friends and colleagues. If a writer has only one 'how-to' grammar and style book, it should be this one. I just placed an order for three more copies so I have extras on hand to give friends in need. "Elements" and a pocket bible are two books I never leave home without; there is something in them for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: No One Did it Better
Review: How many times over the years have I referred mentally to this wonderful little book? How many times have I heard White's voice saying something about a specific word? How many times have I applied White's logic to other words, ones that aren't even in this book? How much of my own writing has been affected positively from the discussion that takes place in this book? I can't even begin to count up how often Mr. White has been on my mind as a professional writer. White provides a silent voice of stability and assurance that allows you to feel confident as you build a permanent view of our language as both expressive and natural. White's technical discussions of words do not at all take away from his belief that language is REAL and ALIVE. In fact, somehow, White brings life to the technical aspects of language. This is a special achievement indeed.The largest portion of this book -- a series of illuminating suggestions and comments on word choice and usage -- turns the minutiae of grammar into a personal, fascinating expedition. E.B. White finds many opportunities to express interesting opinions and viewpoints through his discussions of words. Often, in my own writing, I ask myself what E.B. White might say about the word choices I make. But the soul of the book is at the end, in White's succint, memorable, and effective essay entitled, "An Approach To Style." It is in this essay that E.B. White's philosophy of living language, and his creative energy, join together to offer something that can guide you in real-life writing. Put simply, E.B. White's system of language beliefs really works.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm the minority here, but as a writer.....
Review: I must disagree for one major reason. This book certainly does contain some invaluable information to help writers on their way and does act as more than just a set of grammatical rules. I think it all depends on how you use the book. If it's your Bible of Writing, then you possibly pen yourself in. If you use it as a supplemental text, it may work much better. Let's use the analogy of the 5 paragraph essay. It's definitely an easy way to start out and get people started with academic writing, but that's all it is basically: a start. You learn to organize, to state your arguments, etc., but in the end a 5 paragraph essay is not always (and not often) the best way to go. As a general set of guidelines, this book would work, but the authors present it as the only way to go to create effective writing. My writing style is outside the mainstream, so maybe this experimental leaning has a definite effect on my opinion. Just beware of your approach to this text, writers.
Rating:
Summary: The essential tool for writers and students
Review: What? You don't have this one yet? This is THE essential tool for writer and student!
Rating:
Summary: Great Advice for Better Writing
Review: Strunk & White is not manual on grammar, but a guidebook for clear, concise, and more effective writing. It doesn't harp on meaningless, useless grammatical quibbles such as split-infinitives, placement of prepositions, and such. Instead, it points out a few simple guidelines for improving writing *style*, such as the use of active voice, brevity, consistency, and clarity. Some knowledge of grammar may be necessary, but much of it is explained in the handy glossary. Adding to this advice from William Strunk, E. B. White includes some other general guidelines: "Write in a way that comes naturally," "Use orthodox spelling," and "Don't explain too much." All of these little gems of advice aren't hard-and-fast rules set in stone, but rather small bits of general advice collected into a compact book. They can be broken, but for the most part, they are sensible and very useful in making writing more vivid, lively, and effective. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to launch a career in writing. Read it, use it, absorb it. It can only help.
Rating:
Summary: A Pocket Sized Book that All Writers Should Own
Review: I remember when I was 15 I was extremely into writing. I was a published short stories writer who thought himself to be something extraordinary. I thought I knew everything I needed to know about writing, plus more. But after reading this book, I was wrong. Elements of Style is written by one of the greatest of our generation. Not only does it give punctual guidance, but it also tries to ease you through writers block, and other problems writers face. All of the points it gives are true; guidelines that MUST be followed. I was a good writer before reading this book, but now I must say I am a GREAT writer. You can be too! Just buy this book and you will get a hold of what writing is all about.
Rating: 
Summary: Prestigious
Review: I first became aware of Strunk and White when a college professor included it in the list of books required for a writing class. I tossed the book into my closet and forgot about it until recently, after I handed in a few papers that I felt were not up to my standards. Strunk and White is a quick read. What the book does is present the basics of English grammar and style in a way that anyone who wants to may improve their writing skills. I know I have several writing problems that need attention. I like to write in the passive voice when I should write in the active. I also like to add superfluous words when none are needed. Many of the words Strunk lists in his book are some of my favorites: as to whether, kind of/sort of, certainly, importantly, and many more. Strunk even attacks the use of the word very. It's going to be awhile before I can get that one out of my papers. Other helpful sections deal with commas, semicolons, and quotations. I think an effective way to use this book is to just write a paper, mistakes and all, and then go back and see what needs to be changed. You'll drive yourself nuts if you try to change your writing as you go along. Change rarely occurs overnight, especially with a habit as deeply ingrained as bad writing style. I've had professors who claim the word but must never go at the beginning of a sentence. In other words, many highly educated people have no better grasp of grammar than the average person. Buy this book and show them up!
Rating:
Summary: Clarity is timeless
Review: This is the timeless reference for good writing. "Hot Tips" for web writing will come and go, while the Wired Elements of Web Style celebrates its inestimable self importance, but what writing strips down to, when it is time to get serious, is precision, clarity--craft to support art. All here.
Rating:
Summary: coming back to it from afar
Review: Well. This is a masterpiece. Buy it, assign it if you can, but do read it. I opened it up recently in a colleague's office, and within the first three rules fell back in love with it. But beware. For instance, the previous reviewer has some pretty large comma errors in his/her prose. I guess this text could also be a cause to believe you don't really need a basic English composition course. It isn't.
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