Rating: 
Summary: Got a Publishing Question?
Review: If you have a grammar, style or punctuation question, you will find the answer here. This basic reference for publishing. Every copy editor and writer should own it, The Associated Press Stylebook -- for journalism -- and the The Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications -- for techical writing.
Rating:
Summary: HOW TO WRITE IT RIGHT!
Review: If you want to write so that readers will be interested in what you have to say, and not distracted by gross oversights in spelling, punctuation, quotations, and word usage, -- then read this book. Included is information on copyrights and permissions. This is a guide for writers, editors and publishers. It reflects a respect for the individuality of expression while presenting basic principles of writing and publishing. Consistency and clarity will enhance any writer's work. Add this book to the writing tools near your desk or computer.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have reference book for all writers and editors
Review: Ignore the comments from that last person from Chicago. This book is one of the best sources on grammar and usage. Arm yourself with this and the latest Webster's Collegiate dictionary, and you'll be well on your way!
Rating: 
Summary: A Cancer upon American Letters
Review: Knowing that I go against the current strain of popular thought, I am writing to urge people not to buy this error-laden work of fools. The Chicago Manual of Style has done more to devalue American writing than anything other than the educational cutbacks initiated in the early 80's by the Reagan administration. Many of the "rules" expounded in the Chicago Manual of Style are in direct contradiction to accepted convention; to name just two examples, the placement of a serial comma before the "and" and the addition of an "s" following the apostrophe in a possessive already ending in "s." I have served as an editor to writers in such diverse venues as concert program notes, grant proposals, fiction and books on history. Invariably, those who rely upon the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) are the ones whose work requires the most revision. There is a lugubrious clumsiness to writing infected with CMSisms. It should be a cause for concern to anyone who cares about American prose of any kind that such a muddle-headed embarrassment is becoming the law of our letters. There are numerous excellent guides available for reference. Traditionally, I have recommended Turabian. However, I am dismayed to note that the editor of the most recent edition of that book has chosen to "conform" it to the Chicago Manual of Style, the exact opposite of what should be done. So get an earlier edition of Turabian, or use Strunk. Best of all, read a lot of great prose and model your own prose on what you encounter therein. I feel obliged to state that I am not opposed to evolution in language. English is among the most vital and vibrant of languages, and thus most subject to change. What I oppose is change that diminishes rather than enhances. The Chicago Manual of Style diminishes English. It deprives English of its elegance, concision and effectiveness. Please do not waste your money on this travesty.
Rating:
Summary: A Cancer upon American Letters
Review: Knowing that I go against the current strain of popular thought, I am writing to urge people not to buy this error-laden work of fools. The Chicago Manual of Style has done more to devalue American writing than anything other than the educational cutbacks initiated in the early 80's by the Reagan administration. Many of the "rules" expounded in the Chicago Manual of Style are in direct contradiction to accepted convention; to name just two examples, the placement of a serial comma before the "and" and the addition of an "s" following the apostrophe in a possessive already ending in "s." I have served as an editor to writers in such diverse venues as concert program notes, grant proposals, fiction and books on history. Invariably, those who rely upon the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) are the ones whose work requires the most revision. There is a lugubrious clumsiness to writing infected with CMSisms. It should be a cause for concern to anyone who cares about American prose of any kind that such a muddle-headed embarrassment is becoming the law of our letters. There are numerous excellent guides available for reference. Traditionally, I have recommended Turabian. However, I am dismayed to note that the editor of the most recent edition of that book has chosen to "conform" it to the Chicago Manual of Style, the exact opposite of what should be done. So get an earlier edition of Turabian, or use Strunk. Best of all, read a lot of great prose and model your own prose on what you encounter therein. I feel obliged to state that I am not opposed to evolution in language. English is among the most vital and vibrant of languages, and thus most subject to change. What I oppose is change that diminishes rather than enhances. The Chicago Manual of Style diminishes English. It deprives English of its elegance, concision and effectiveness. Please do not waste your money on this travesty.
Rating: 
Summary: Religion
Review: The book was an excellent guide to helping me learn to write better papers for college courses.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for writers, editors
Review: The Chicago Manual of Style is an indispensable guide to the intricacies of writing/editing. It is a veritable font of knowledge in the field. The majority of rules have not changed since the publishing of this edition in 1993; however, the next edition could provide additional benefit by including a supplemental section on emerging electronic/web technologies.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for writers, editors
Review: The Chicago Manual of Style is an indispensable guide to the intricacies of writing/editing. It is a veritable font of knowledge in the field. The majority of rules have not changed since the publishing of this edition in 1993; however, the next edition could provide additional benefit by including a supplemental section on emerging electronic/web technologies.
Rating:
Summary: The must-have book for professionals and college students
Review: THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE is one of those books that no professional - writer, publisher, scientist, lawyer, teacher - should be without. At nearly 900 pages, it covers almost any writing issue you can imagine, from the huge range of different requirements for citations to pluralizing foreign words to dealing with mathematics in type. Of course, the more common problems of spelling, grammar, and punctuation are discussed exhaustively as well. Divided into three parts (Bookmaking, Style, and Production and Printing), the target readership is without doubt those in the book trade; however, the style section is by far the largest and most useful for the average person. My only problem with this volume is accessibility. It's not always easy to find the section dealing with a particular problem. For example, you may have to wade through several pages before you can determine which version of a citation is correct for your situation. Despite this difficulty, I cannot deduct a star from my rating since no other book compares in scope and accuracy when it comes to the mechanics of writing. I highly recommend this book for anyone who writes articles, technical papers, or books as part of his or her profession. College students should consider buying it as a reference tool that will never steer them wrong.
Rating:
Summary: The must-have book for professionals and college students
Review: THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE is one of those books that no professional - writer, publisher, scientist, lawyer, teacher - should be without. At nearly 900 pages, it covers almost any writing issue you can imagine, from the huge range of different requirements for citations to pluralizing foreign words to dealing with mathematics in type. Of course, the more common problems of spelling, grammar, and punctuation are discussed exhaustively as well. Divided into three parts (Bookmaking, Style, and Production and Printing), the target readership is without doubt those in the book trade; however, the style section is by far the largest and most useful for the average person. My only problem with this volume is accessibility. It's not always easy to find the section dealing with a particular problem. For example, you may have to wade through several pages before you can determine which version of a citation is correct for your situation. Despite this difficulty, I cannot deduct a star from my rating since no other book compares in scope and accuracy when it comes to the mechanics of writing. I highly recommend this book for anyone who writes articles, technical papers, or books as part of his or her profession. College students should consider buying it as a reference tool that will never steer them wrong.
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