Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors

Dictionaries in general are wonderful thieves of time. How often one gets distracted, meandering from word to word, even forgetting the reason for opening the book in the first place. Well, Bryson's Dictionary is different. Yes, it is good for reference, giving the trickier spellings, words which are often confused, British and American uses and so on, but for a writer it can also be read from cover to cover for the sheer enjoyment of discovery. And it has the advantage that it can be put down at any point without losing the plot!

Very good reference (and breezy read) for some of the more commonly hit grammatical speed bumps.

This book was so excellent. Bryson includes all variety of useful things, from definitions to the correct spelling of confusing words, to cross-references and connotations that may get a "serious" writer into trouble. Bryson bases some of his entries on opinion, but in most cases, his opinion is itself based on a long and illustrious writing career as well as multiple referenced sources. In only a few cases did I disagree with his logic, and only once did I find an actual mistake Ulysses was not the leader of the Greek army).

Here it is: Bill Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors. A reference work by an entertaining writer. And yes, I read the whole thing. Words fascinate me, and when people misuse or misspell them it annoys me. I do not want to be one of those people. So call me a nerd if you like, but the next time you let fall a phrase like "exact replica" or "at this point in time," I will be laughing on the inside.

A fun reference book for spelling, misused phrases and the like It is perfect for those times when you are not sure if you should use effect or affect - Bryson puts them together and gives the meaning of each.

Not as nifty as the Dictionary of Troublesome Words.

Stylish