This is a delightful little book about language and writing style. The authors abide by their own rules and write with concise language and interesting style (this sentence is a joke because the book’s clear and repeated message is to avoid vague writing, specifically the word interesting; nothing becomes interesting by being labeled so.) “Vigorous writing is concise” (23). I have much to learn.

The book is full of gems such as: “Think of the tragedies that are rooted in ambiguity, and be clear!” (79), “go which-hunting” (59), “how swiftly meaning departs when words are wrongly juxtaposed” (31), and, in addressing the word hopefully, the book laments, “although the word in its new, free-floating capacity may be pleasurable and even useful to many, it offends the ear of many others, who do not like to see words dulled or eroded, particularly when the erosion leads to ambiguity, softness, or nonsense” (48). Each sentence in this book is concise and expertly juxtaposed. “Nonsense” in the last quote is so well placed that it becomes my favorite word for a moment.

This book sustains writing as a craft, an art. Know the words, it says, rearrange words tirelessly. Create meaning with word choice and placement. Create every sentence with accuracy and vigor.

Ah, this book makes me smile.