Things That Make Us (Sic): The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar Takes on Madison Avenue, Hollywood, the White House, and the World

"THINGS THAT MAKE US [sic]" by Martha Brockenbrough is basically a grammar book. But not just any grammar book, but one filled with risqué humor, wit, and satire of both modern day and past famous language malefactors. Each of the ten chapters covers a different aspect of English and are humorously named, such as Chapter 1, Grammars for Spammers and Pop Stars. Chapter 4, Vulgar Latin and Latin Lovers, has a list of common Latin phrases used in English with their correct pronunciation and usage. This list I read twice. In Chapter 5, $% & *#$ Punctuation, she proposes a system where certain characters stand for certain letters in obscene words. This way we know exactly what was said, but are not affronted by the word. This satisfies both clarity and sensibility in writing. Chapter 6, No, You Can't Has Cheezburger, is about the parts of speech and how sentences are formed. By using the Cheezburger website examples, Brockenbrough proves even with incorrect grammar, we strive for order. Chapter 10, Rules That Never Were, Are No More, and Should Be Broken ought to be read by anyone who wants to write. It starts off with a letter to the Dear Crabby Grammar person and lists: 1. It's not always wrong to split an infinitive, and sometimes, it's a better choice. 2. You can start a sentence with a conjunction. 3. Sentence fragments aren't necessarily evil. 3. You can end a sentence with a preposition. Surprising for an English book, "THINGS THAT MAKE US [sic]" is easy to read and nicely laid out. For those who know grammar well and are crabby grammar people, this book will make them more crabbier. But for the rest of us, it is an enjoyable and educational read.

This is the best book on the English grammar I have read. Martha is hilarious and her ability to connect with her readers is first-rate superstardom! After reading the book--in two sittings--I commented to Martha that this book will be used, abused, and highlighted like my Bible. I have been working towards my Doctoral degree, and my professor is adamant about proper grammar. 60-70% of my term-papers are based on how well a person writes and uses proper grammar. Well, I have struggled with the English grammar for many years now; however, this book will be more than a useful guide. It will be a constant companion, which I'll keep within reach while writing for years to come. Thank you Martha for such a wonderful book. And, I'm sure you'll find many errors for your red-pen on this review. If not you, then I know for sure my professor. Ah! This book is a must-buy, and a must-read, for every student, professor, editor, and writer! An excellent work. Adrian A Bernal, M.T.S.

Like a one-woman vigilante, Martha Brockenbrough* exposes assorted crimes against the English language and offers crisp, witty advice on spelling, grammar, and usage to the offenders. Her favored tactic is the open letter, wherein she points out the mistakes in (gently) mocking fashion, then goes on to suggest remedies. All with infinitely greater wit than Lynne Truss, in this reviewer's opinion. Her point of view is stated with admirable clarity on page 3: "It is time for those of us who love and respect our language to take it back. Clear, grammatical communication is society's foundation. It is what helps us understand and be understood. If we let that bedrock crumble from neglect, or if we actively chip away at it in a misguided fit of anti-intellectualism, then we run the risk of watching the world around us collapse." Ms Brockenbrough covers familiar terrain, efficiently and entertainingly, in ten chapters (250 pages): Grammar for spammers and pop stars. Vizzinis, Evil Twins, and Vampires. You Put a Spell on Me. Vulgar Latin and Latin Lovers. $% & *#$ Punctuation No, You Can't Has Cheezburger? The Parts of Speech and How Sentences Form. Things that Make Us Tense. Cliches - why Shakespeare is a Pox Upon Us. The Enemy Within - Flab, Jargon, and the People in your Office. Rules that Never Were, are no More, and Should be Broken. Whether taking David Hasselhoff to task for describing his life story as 'heart-rendering' or enumerating all 21 errors in Congressman Mark Foley's now-infamous erotic text message to a congressional page ("the word is not spelled 'buldge'; 'one-eyed snake' needs a hyphen; 'hand job' has only one a"), Martha Brockenbrough is never less than entertaining. This book is both a welcome, witty salvo in the war against bad English and a hilariously helpful guide on how to avoid it. *: Ms Brockenbrough is the founder of SPOGG, the Society for Promotion of Good Grammar, whose website is at www.SPOGG.org

Most grammar reference books are dry and serious, but THINGS THAT MAKE US [sic] is both instructional and entertaining. It's a quick read and a handy reference. I recommend it to anyone who writes for a living, and to folks like me who just like good grammar.

I'm a writer by profession and a grammar instructor, too. I urge all writers to keep a copy of this book at their desks. Not only is it humorous and concise, it's well organized for a grammar reference. I don't know the author personally, but I follow her SPOGG blog. Her grammar tips are worth bookmarking, too. (http://spogg.org)