Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English

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Summary: Semicolon Enigmas and That/Which mysteries--Solved!
Review: The only book on grammar that I have read and continue to use. I've suffered through old high school grammar books and dry technical grammar books for writers and they all made me feel that understanding the rules of grammar was like trying to pave a football field with contact lenses--tedious and futile. The lessons in "Woe is I" are memorable due to the quirky sentence examples and the author's sense of humor.

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Summary: This book is GREAT!
Review: I use this book at least once a week. I work in the business world and I write many memos. I knew my grammer was far from perfect and I was tired of always calling a friend to help me out with the difference between Affect and Effect. I finally decided to rely less on my friend and more on myself and improve my grammer. I bought several books, but this is the book I use the most. Not only do I know when to use Affect vs. Effect, but when to use Which vs. That. How about e.g. vs. i.e.? This, too, is covered in the book. I have two copies of this book - one for home and one for work. This book is a must for all grammarphobes!

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Summary: Renovation of Grammar
Review: I come from a non-native English-speaking country and as being a struggler, I found this book so interesting that I finished it in one reading. For anyone who wants to get afresh start, wants to double-check their doubts, then this book is recommended. Its thorough, precise and gripping.

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Summary: My mom MADE me read this book
Review: Am I'm glad she did - it is a lot more interesting and funny than my English teacher. I use my copy of it a lot when I'm writing school papers.

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Summary: A good reference for either the classroom or the dining room
Review: As an educator, I appreciate *Woe Is I* as a text with broad reach. The popular reader will not only enjoy this grammar guide; its lessons will stick. Sample sentences populated by Ralph and Alice Kramden or Fred and Ethel Mertz have mnemonic value--as we laugh, we rewire our brains. Who could forget the chapter title "Plurals Before Swine"? or to get out the book when our next number question arises? *Woe Is I* reminds us that language changes; yes, even during our lifetimes. Chances are, O'Conner will address here the rules enforced by the grammar dragon from grade school. And, perhaps, you'll become more comfortable using contractions and the first person along with the rest of us. Not insulting, the book is still sharp--accurate enough for the classroom and entertaining enough for the dining room. Read aloud, "compleat danglers" are great after-dinner entertainment.

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Summary: The book is wonderfully witty and extremely user friendly.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is that rare combination, a very useful reference work that is also a good read. The wit is everywhere, from the chapter titles (e.g., "Comma Sutra") to the appearance of characters ranging from King Solomon to June Cleaver in the illustrations. I write a lot in my work, but I am no grammarian, and I find myself reaching for this book on a regular basis to try to resolve those troubling word use conundrums to which I probably knew the solution at one time but just cannot quite get straight right now. I believe this book will be enjoyed by anyone with a sense of humor, and appreciated by anyone who can use a little grammatical help from time to time.

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Summary: enjoyed the book .. very helpful
Review: I found this book in my local library. I enjoyed it so much, decided to buy a copy for my own personal use.

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Summary: Funny and helpful.
Review: I laughed out loud when I read the author's hilarious - but VERY HELPFUL - examples of how to use the right word.

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Summary: I never knew grammar could be so fun.
Review: I'm a foreign languages major in college - but I still have to write papers in English sometimes. I use this book often when I can't remember rules like how to make names plural, for example. It has really helped me a lot.

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Summary: Terrific reference source & hilarious fun, too!
Review: I am a professional research librarian who uses this book very frequently for patron assists. I think it's so useful, in fact, I bought a copy for all three of my college age kids to take back to campus with them. The writer uses wit and clever examples to help struggling writers make quick and accurate decisions on usage. Try it, you'll like it!