Words Fail Us: Good English and Other Lost Causes

Writing books about words or writing in general is a dangerous occupation, fraught with all sorts of hazards. In addition, who are you (or who am I) to think that we have just the right way to impart just the right information to other writers. It's a ticklish subject altogether and I expect there may be those who think Blackburn has gone out on the proverbial limb. Well, he has, but for my money, he's still up there swaying. This is a fine book, written by a fine, experienced writer who has somehow managed to avoid becoming jaundiced by his years of professional journalism. I won't say I didn't at least think that I detected some flaws, but my reading of it really made me feel that it was flawless. Blackburn uses a tone which manages to avoid silly witticisms and harsh or overt criticism in a book which is, and ought to be, critical enough of the trade. He's not settling any old scores with former editors as far as I can see, either. No, he obviously had this book inside him and we may be very glad that it found its way out. As of this writing (2000) the book is out of print, but it certainly doesn't deserve to be. Find it and if you like good writing, you'll enjoy it. It's a pearl.