The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
by Lynn Truss
Gotham Books, 2003
Comments: I don't normally get caught-up in bestseller mania, but this little book was an exception. Its popularity was somewhat surprising given that the subject of proper punctuation could hardly be perceived as a captivating topic for a mass audience. All the usual suspects are covered: apostrophes, commas, dashes, semicolons, etc. The presentation is mostly done through a series of ordinary, but often humorous examples that demonstrate proper usage and why it matters. The title of the book itself is an example where, in the absence of context, the entire meaning of a sentence can be radically changed by two commas.
This charming little book was an informative and fun examination of the finer points of the proper -- and sometimes arcane -- use of our written language. It's a testament to the skill of the author that she makes an ordinary topic interesting, even for an audience that may not do much writing. But especially for those who do, this is a must read book.
Copy Notes: Hardback, later printing
