Dreyer's English

Oh, boy! I came upon this book while seeking the answer to a basic style question, and, wow, am I glad I did. Dreyer, copy chief of Random House, knows his stuff and can help you learn yours, too, from word usage to punctuation. The book’s way more than that, though. You’ll feel like you’ve taken a lively college class in writing and wish you could have coffee with the professor. I’ve bought copies for several word-nerd friends — it’s humorous, too. 

Most “best books on writing lists” will include The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. While I can’t dispute the value of that classic, I personally recommend Dreyer’s English. Few new writers are in a position to purchase the latest Chicago Manual of Style, but Dreyer’s English answers the majority of grammar and style questions a writer will have, and does so in a clear, concise manner. The best part is that this is not a volume filled with dry directives on punctuation and spelling. Dreyer’s English is witty, at times downright hilarious, and holds the distinction for… show more.

Everyone needs a style guide to occasionally lean on while writing. As longtime copy chief at Random House, Dreyer has more than a little knowledge about how to make a sentence stylishly sing. Anyone and everyone can benefit from this book, no matter what they need to type or pen. Best of all, it is also a fun read. There have been many of these kinds of books to come and go over the years, but Dreyer’s is what sits on my desk. (Gosh, I hope this didn’t have any typos!)