Rating: 
Summary: A pompous writer's sermon
Review: Zinsser begins this book with a story where he and a part-time writer answer questions during a school's "Day devoted to the Arts." The part-time writer found his task easy, liberating, and enjoyable, while Zinsser described writing as hard and lonely. He finishes the story by recognizing that there is no "right" way to write. Unfortunately, he spends the remainder of the book telling you exactly how to right - the words, punctuation, usage, and voice that writers should use. He writes with a tone of superiority that is sure to discourage more writers than it will inspire.
Rating: 
Summary: The best book on writing for me and for my students.
Review: I first read the third edition of this collection of views and tips. I found the content fascinating: it told me about a writer's thoughts in a clear and most enviable style. I read it again and again. I especially liked the chapters on simplicity and clutter. It's not just American writing that's cluttered. And it's great we have this book to remind us. I just got the sixth edition, and I can't wait to see the changes. I wish I could speak with the author one day. Anyone know his email address or postal address? Will Harper send on my letter to him?
Rating:
Summary: Perfect!
Review: When my mother bought me this book, I was 17 and too busy with being 17 to bother to read it. But I pulled it out the summer before starting journalism school and laughed the whole way through. Zinsser knows exactly how writers look when they write -- he knows the glassy-eyed expression of writer's block, the sudden sensation of thirst that seems to hit every few minutes, "forcing" the writer once again away from the typewriter to the watercooler. He knows we procrastinate, because he knows we suffer. His book is like a forgiving uncle guiding us back to the keyboard and coaxing us to try again.That first worn and rough-edged copy of Zinsser's book is now on my desk at work. When I'm stuck or I've been heading to the watercooler too often, it's there. I don't have to look up certain sections, such as "Usage" or "Style." I just open it to any page and start reading. That's how clearly Zinsser's lessons come through. Anyone serious about ! writing must read this book. Skip the rest.
Rating:
Summary: As Good as It Gets
Review: This is an essential tool for serious writers. I've published six novels and, though Zinsser doesn't directly address the art of fiction, his advice on editing is applicable to every field of writing. It's the best of its kind I've read, and I've read a lot of books by writers who should have spent more time learning their craft before they started explaining it to others. On Writing Well is as good as it gets.
Rating:
Summary: THE definitive book on writing.
Review: 'On Writing Well' is THE book for serious writers -- begining or experienced -- and should be required reading for all journalists. As editor of two weekly newspapers, I keep a copy of 'On Writing Well' at my office and require that new writers read it and buy their own copy. It doesn't take much prompting. The text covers virtually all aspects of good, strong journalsim in an easy-to-understand format. From humor -- the toughest form of writing in a serious news format -- to hard news, Zinsser's often-reprinted work is a must. Although geared toward non-fiction, the book covers creative writing and developing a 'style' well. Too many writers try for style before they find substance. Zinsser clearly explains why that's a bad idea. Forget all the 'best of' books and buy this one. There's more useful information in each chapter of 'On Writing Well' than in entire volumes of many other like books. After 11 years in the business, a copy of the book remains in the smallest room in my house. I've probably read it over 100 times and each read turns up something fresh in the text, helping to improve my own skills. 'On Writing Well' should be part of college courses along with the Associated Press Style Book. I reference it almost as often. If writers want to improve, or those who want to be writers want to know how to break into the business, this is the book. John Lowman, Editor Texas Press Association
Rating: 
Summary: Good stuff.
Review: This is good stuff. William Zinsser points to where you want to go, and sends you on your way. Informal. Avuncular. Crusty. Zinsser makes it clear that he is a writer first, and a teacher second. In fact, he doesn't so much think that writing can be taught as he does think that writing can be learned. It's hard work, but worth it if you have something to say.
In just over 200 pages, Zinsser gives you the tools, lays out the principles, and tells you the stories about how he and others have stumbled along their own paths. You take it from there
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring instructions on simple, clear, and strong writing.
Review: Full of sensible advice about non-fiction writing, "On
Writing Well" is also -- as it should be -- very
well written. Zinsser demands that writing be simple, clear,
and strong, and he follows his own advice. Zinsser's tips on
interviewing, research, and subject matter are first-rate.
The best parts, however, are about living the life of a
writer and about writing itself. Writers should use "On
Writing Well" not as a reference, but as an inspiration
and an example.
Rating:
Summary: An inspiration to writers and readers
Review: This is a book I try to read once a year. As a copywriter, I find that a review of Zinsser's analyses and examples refreshes my approach to writing . . . and thinking. And he constantly reinforces my reading choices, bringing me back to re-reading E.B. White and John McPhee and reveling in their turn of a phrase or nuggets of brilliant prose. This is an important book for everyone who wants or needs to improve his or her writing. And it's a must for those who want their writing to be read. Whether you write simple business memos or you're attempting to write memorable copy, this book will give you a fresh viewpoint. It's one of those eye-openers that will have you saying, "Oh, yeah, now I get it!"
Rating: 
Summary: Confounding.
Review: A book on writing well should be impeccably written. This one isn't. Extraordinary.
Rating:
Summary: Useful for Both Readers and Writers
Review: I first came across "On Writing Well" fifteen years ago, when I read the second edition. I thought it useful enough that I read it again twice at five year intervals.
Since my copy was literally coming apart at the seams, I purchased this sixth edition, which contains most of the content of the second, but adds chapters about specific forms of writing (The Interview, The Memoir, Science and Technology, Business Writing, Sports, Humor, etc). Additionally, it includes many more examples of what Mr. Zinsser considers to be good writing, some from his own writings and many more from those of other writers.
His selection of writers is so good that I recently purchased a copy of the book as a gift for a foreign student who asked me for list of recent quality American non-fiction.
I like his writing enough that I have read several more of his books ("Writing About Your Life: A journey Into the Past," "Writing to Learn," and "Willie and Dwike"). I find him to be best in writing about memoirs, but like the rest of us he has a limited reservoir of experience, and tends to repeat himself across books. He likes "Willie and Dwike" best of all his books; so do I.
He obviously has had a successful and happy life, which causes him to be a bit of a Pollyanna and critical of writers who write about the dark side of human nature. On the other hand, he does cite Mencken, Joseph Heller, Gary Trudeau and others of that persuasion, so not all is lost.
It's a fine book that will make you both a better writer and a better reader.
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