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From the Amazon Product Page: (link)Quote:Roy Peter Clark is one of the most influential writing teachers in the U.S. His book, Writing Tools, has 65,000 copies in print and his podcasts have been downloaded from iTunes over 1 million times. Now he’s returning to the roots of the English language with THE GLAMOUR OF GRAMMAR. This is an enchanting and entertaining approach to essential grammar.Early in the history of English, the words “grammar” and “glamour” meant the same thing: the power to charm. Roy Peter Clark, author of Writing Tools, aims to put the glamour back in grammar with this fun, engaging alternative to stuffy instructionals. In this practical guide, listeners will learn everything from the different parts of speech to why effective writers prefer concrete nouns and active verbs. THE GLAMOUR OF GRAMMAR gives listeners all the tools they need to “live inside the language”–to take advantage of grammar to perfect their use of English, to instill meaning, and to charm through their writing. With this indispensable audio book, listeners will come to see just how glamorous grammar can be.About the authorQuote:Roy Peter Clark has been called “America’s writing coach” as his stated mission is to help create “a nation of writers.” Since 1977 he has taught writing to small children and to Pulitzer winning authors from his mother ship, The Poynter Institute, a school for journalism and democracy in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is the author or editor of 17 books on writing, language, and journalism. The latest, all published by Little, Brown, are “Writing Tools,” “The Glamour of Grammar,” and “Help! for Writers,” which is now also a mobile app. His work has been featured on the Today Show, NPR, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. More than a million of his writing podcasts have been downloaded on iTunesU. On five occasions he has served as a Pulitzer juror and twice has chaired the jury on nonfiction books. His honors include induction in the Features Hall of Fame, an honorary degree from Goucher College, and a stint at Vassar College as Starr Writer-in-Residence. His next book, due out in 2013, is “How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times.”Editorial Reviews:Quote:From Publishers WeeklyGrammar is a subject that typically induces wincing, wheezing, or worse. Clark, a lifelong whiz at the subject, wants readers to fully appreciate the importance of good grammar and the qualities of superior writing. To that end, he has laid out several entertaining, easy-to-follow rules, governing everything from punctuation to alliteration, that promise to dramatically improve one’s writing and develop an appreciation for language. Clark draws on examples ranging from DeLillo to Rowling, a breadth of text that readers will appreciate as much as the author’s humorous approach. Who knew that a discussion of grammar could induce laughter? This is an eminently readable, extremely enjoyable guide that readers will find highly useful on their path to development, not just as writers, but as readers. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.Review”A grammar manual for the 21st century–a little more earthy, a little more relaxed. A welcome addition to the bookshelf of anyone who cares about language.” (Ammon Shea, New York Times Book Review )”A fine common-sense guide to the proper use of language.” (Barbara Fisher, the Boston Globe )”A streamlined, accessible, witty book…[Clark] is a coach rather than a scold, encouraging readers to ‘live inside the language.'” (Colette Bancroft, St. Petersburg Times )”[Clark] is not of the hectoring, bullying school of language advice. He is an encourager…A good book for an aspiring writer, human and sensible about the great craft, relishing its possibilities and its power.” (John E. McIntyre, The Baltimore Sun )”An engaging and witty exploration of the shifting rules of English grammar…Clark shows breathtaking knowledge of how language is used in the real world and a passionate commitment to helping writers make good choices.” (Chuck Leddy, Minneapolis Star Tribune )”[Roy Peter] Clark takes readers through a well-paced presentation…he conveys the magic that is to be found in English, in its ever active evolution.” (Margaret Heilbrun, Library Journal )”Who knew that a discussion of grammar could induce laughter? This is an eminently readable, extremely enjoyable guide that readers will find highly useful on their path to development, not just as writers, but as readers.” (Publishers Weekly )”What I learned from this book: 1) That grammar has meant mastery of all arts and letters (to the Greeks) and power, magic, and enchantment (to the Scots). Wow.2) That for the artful writer, no decision is too small, including whether to use a or the. Awesome.3) That there are right-branching, left-branching, and middle-branching sentences. How cool!4) That Roy Peter Clark, a modern-day Pied Piper of grammar, makes good writing both approachable and doable. Phew!” (Constance Hale, author of Sin and Syntax )”If there is indeed a glamour to grammar, I should have known Roy Peter Clark would be the one to spot it. Clark is a trusty guide for anyone wanting to avoid the (many) pitfalls and scale the (hard-won) peaks of perpetrating prose.”(Ben Yagoda, author of Memoir: A History and The Sound on the Page: style and Voice in Writing )”Who, other than a word-lover like Roy Peter Clark, would dare link “glamour” with (ugh) “grammar”? Here it is–a book of enchantment about words and how words work and what they mean and how to spell them, where even lowly semicolons get appreciated as “swinging gates” in a sentence. Who’d a thunk a book on grammar could be fun? And humorous. Check out “cleave” and “cleaveage.”” (Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking )”Roy Peter Clark, the Jedi master of writing coaches, has delivered another indispensable classic for every author, young and old. The Glamour of Grammar crackles with wit and wisdom and with page after page of rock-solid strategies to guide writers toward prose that sings with vivid clarity.” (Thomas French, author of Zoo Story )”If grammar is medicine, then Roy Clark gives us the spoonful of sugar to help it go down. A wonderful tour through the labyrinth of language.” (Anne Hull, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, The Washington Post ) –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.