Four valuable reference books
August 7th, 2008 at 07:00am Barry Wood
Awhile back, someone asked about the books I often refer to and how expensive they are. Yes, it helps to be on a mailing list, but the few books I have received were unsolicited with no strings attached. I don’t do actual book reviews, but these four have received a certain amount of publicity in my column and, recently, this blog.
I Googled the following four titles, and each time I was directed to Amazon, where apparently every book ever published is for sale, new and used, at bargain prices — plus $3.99 shipping.
“Garner’s Modern American Usage,” a hardbound book weighing in at nearly 900 pages, is available starting at $18.10.
“Right, Wrong , and Risky” by Mark Davidson starts at $11.70.
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th edition, the one I use because The Associated Press recommends it, starts at an amazing $7.95.
And you can get a paperback copy of John B. Bremner’s “Words on Words” for as little as $3.95 — all of the above plus shipping, of course.
You can build quite a library without ever leaving your home — if, as Groucho once said, that’s your idea of a good time.
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6 Comments Add your own
1. Leonardo duh Vinci | August 7th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
You mentioned 3 books that can be a big help in using proper English. Does the Webster’s New World College dictionary have, for instance, the word blog in it?
Groucho had his say about words. I would have liked to have heard Andy Kaufman do a monologue on the subject.
2. Barry Wood | August 8th, 2008 at 1:11 am
No, the current Webster’s doesn’t include “blog.” I suspect a new edition is due out fairly soon, but it’s getting harder to keep up with all the new terms as technology continues to explode. I don’t envy dictionary editors these days.
3. Log Lincoln | August 10th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Word Genius -
I notice in your post the use of the word “Googled.” I would assume as a style guru you would agree this is probably not acceptable - unless, perhaps, I’ve missed something and it’s been added to Webster’s. Me? I prefer Wood’s Dictionary, but that’s just me.
4. Barry Wood | August 12th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Dear Log Lincoln,
I wondered whether anyone would call me on that. No, there probably is no current dictionary that includes “Google” as a verb, but it seemed to be the most efficient and accurate way to describe my Internet searches.
I’m just trying to be current with the vernacular. You’ve probably heard the proverb, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Words to live by.
By the way, that saying is a paraphrasing of some advice given by St. Ambrose to St. Augustine concerning fasting on Saturday — the custom in Rome at the time but not everywhere else.
As for Wood’s Dictionary, I only wish I had the patience and discipline to put together such a book — or any book.
5. Leonardo duh Vinci | August 12th, 2008 at 6:28 am
I would imagine you have little time to write a book. That “write a book” covers a lot of territory. I put together a book on the old corn husking contests, but it wasn’t profitable money-wise, and a lot of people say it isn’t a book. I doubt if the NEW YORKER would call it a book. But it has pages.
6. Barry Wood | August 13th, 2008 at 1:08 am
As far as I’m concerned, if you have pages, you have a book.
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