4 stars (Important but not compelling) - I understand that the rigors of academia require exhaustive research and documentation, however, that is no excuse for writing which is too dense, difficult to read, or not engaging to the reader. If more "academics" would learn how to write like real people instead of researchers, perhaps their messages would be communicated more effectively... and maybe people would LEARN more. Isn't that the point? There is no excuse for bad writing -- even if you are a genius! 3 stars (It's really tough but you will need it!) - I tried for a long time to deny using this book, even though I bought it off a course list and had it on my shelf. After being told several times by professors that my documents needed to be in APA style, with no quick description offered, I have been forced to go in and learn the format. It's a bit like learning a foreign language but since I've learned to use it, it's come up again, and again, and again, so I'm glad I finally did it. Check out "The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book" as well. It's a fun read, based on sound research, that let me test my EQ online. Boy, did I need my EQ skills while learning APA style! 4 stars (More User-Friendly Than Widely Acknowledged) - It's difficult to understand why so many reviewers find the APA style so difficult. Perhaps this is due to having weaned my teeth on APA during my Ph.D. Rather than finding the style convoluted, confusing, or inconsistent, I find it as clear as the equally valuable "Chicago Manual of Style." In particular, the APA's method of in-text notes makes it easy for the writer and reader to document and locate source materials. Once you grasp the basic premise of footnoting and endnoting, the overall style is coherent. Besides, if you are going to write in the social science field, like it or not, APA style is here to stay--so you may as well learn it and use it. Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends... American Psychological Association (APA) :: Social sciences :: Reference :: Publishing :: Psychology :: Psychological literature :: History :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Composition & Creative Writing - Acade :: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association- Fifth Edition
4 stars (Six Sigma Critique) - This book is an excellent resource, however it is not an easy read. If you are unfamiliar with the Six Sigma language it takes awhile to sift through the information. There is a lot o information provided that will serve as a longterm resource. 2 stars (This is not a Six Sigma Handbook) - I bought this book because it's a Six Sigma Handbook, but unfortunately it is not, is a book of SPC, it has a lot about control charts, run charts, etc. about hypothesis testing just a little!, anyway. I have to select better my books. 5 stars (The Best Six Sigma Book from alpha to z-tests ) - This book is a must have for anyone applying six sigma to real world problems. Not only do I use it on a nearly daily basis, I'm finding that my engineers are embracing the terminology and concepts so clearly conveyed in this text. We're spending 20-minutes at each staff meeting to review topics from basic statistics to advanced application of teaming concepts to get results. Instead of the usual soft stuff application examples that seem to illustrate that the author thinks everyone's making clothes pins, Pyzdek's book shows that he's really lived this stuff. I highly recommend this book to anyone serious about applying six sigma for results. Joe Maciulla Manager, Manufacturing Engineering Systems Raytheon Missile Systems ... McGraw-Hill :: Business & Economics & Quality Control :: Statistical methods :: Quality Control :: Production management :: Management - General :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: En :: The Six Sigma Handbook- The Complete Guide for Greenbelts- Blackbelts- and Managers at All Levels- R
5 stars (Great Reference ) - This book is very user friendly and is a great reference for any English class! 5 stars (The best brief style manual available) - This grammar handbook is concise and so EASY TO USE! It has all the essential reference information that you need when you are writing an essay or professional letter. Everything is clearly laid out and well-explained. Many grammar books are thick, heavy, and intimidating--filled with information that will never be read. Who wants to read a grammar book? They are for reference, not reading! This is a small paperback with a spiral binding so it lays flat. I teach freshman composition and introduction to literature classes, and I always assign this book to my students. P.S. If you want a small grammar book that you can actually read, check out THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF COLLEGE WRITING by Michael Harvey. I have my students buy both; Hacker for reference, and Harvey to read. 5 stars (Cite it right...) - 'The Pocket Style Manual' compiled by Diana Hacker is one of the most useful tools for student and professional writing available. One of the more confusing aspects of writing for many students (and those beyond student level) is the range of styles for citation, organisation and structure in texts. Different schools and different professions expect their own styles to be applied - just what is the difference between MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) style, anyway? This book provides the answer in short, easy-to-use fashion. The first section of Hacker's text goes over the basics of good writing - grammar, clarity, punctuation, and essential mechanics such as capitalisation, abbreviation, numbers, etc. This is not a guide that will teach the reader, but rather serve as a reminder, refresher, and quick ready-reference guide for those who (usually at the deadline and in a hurry) need information quickly to finish their assignments and projects. The three primary styles p... Bedford-St Martin-s :: Language Arts & Disciplines & Composition & Creative Writing :: Rhetoric :: Reference :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Ha :: A Pocket Style Manual
5 stars (Must Have Grammar Reference) - This is the most comprehensive guide that I have come across. A must have for every secretary! 4 stars (Gregg Reference Manual 10th Edition) - I am a medical transcriptionist and my job requires to know punctuation, spelling, and good grammar. This book is presently serving its purpose. I may not know everything but whenever I have a question regarding punctuation and grammar, I always refer to the book. Because of this book, I am able to do my job confidently and it is so rewarding to know that I am doing it right. I still have a lot to read up on this book, but I am glad that there is such a book to help out people like me, although a high school graduate and still needing help in these areas. Thank you for making it possible. 5 stars (Excellent resource) - I first encountered Gregg when it was a required text in an English composition class I took in college. Over the past several decades, I've bought every new edition of the GRM and have relied on it in my work in various educational institutions. Like me, you may want to have one copy for home and one copy for the office. I absolutely agree with other reviewers that it is not only easy to understand but also easy to use. I cannot recommend it highly enough. ... McGraw-Hill-Irwin :: Business & Economics & Business Communication :: Writing Skills :: Transcription :: Reference :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Grammar :: English language :: Business& :: The Gregg Reference Manual - A Manual of Style- Grammar- Usage- and Formatting (Gregg Reference Manu
5 stars (Hodges' Harbrace Handbook) - I've been using this handbook for about 25 years, and recently realized that my edition was the 3rd, published in the 1970s! So I ordered the latest edition (14th edition), and was so pleased with my purchase. This is a handbook that lives in our office, and gets used to death (we do graphic design, copywriting, editing). Any new employee on our staff is required to at least become familiar with the table of contents (in case of emergency!), and very soon they too are heading for Harbrace's to look up something. We love it. 5 stars (The Guide for American English) - It never ceases to amaze me how many times some ... grammarian tries to correct my writing only to review my Harbrace College Handbook to see they're wrong and I'm right. This is the definitive guide to American English grammar. Easy to read, plenty of examples, and more importantly it even covers those gray areas of usage letting the ready know this non-standard without simply cutting you off without explanation. I have purchased the latest edition ever since I purchased my first copy as text to Advanced Composition during my undergraduate days at the University of Maryland University College. Harbrace as served me very well ever since helping me obtain a high GPA in regards to my written assignments. I have a lot of other grammar books that I look at now and then, but Harbrace remains the standard. 5 stars (The Guide for American English) - It never ceases to amaze me how many times some anal grammarian tries to correct my writing only to review my Harbrace College Handbook to see they're wrong and I'm right. This is the definitive guide to American English grammar. Easy to read, plenty of examples, and more importantly it even covers those gray areas of usage letting the ready know this non-standard without simply cutting you off without explanation. I have purchased the latest edition ever since I purchased my first copy as text to Advanced Composition during my ... Heinle :: Language Arts & Disciplines & Composition & Creative Writing :: Writing Skills :: Rhetoric :: Reference :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Handbooks & Manuals :: Gramm :: Hodges- Harbrace Handbook
5 stars (The Little Brown Book) - As a student and instructor, I never ever write a paper without using this book. I have used it since 2002 and each edition is better and better. My highlighter never stops when finding important ways to quote authors, annotate references, and where to use semi colons. 5 stars (Oldie but Goodie) - This was a required book for one of my college courses a hundred years ago. Out of all the college books I ended up keeping, this goes on the top of the list. This is a necessary book for anyone writing anything. As an advanced freelance writer, I still refer to it from time to time, and probably always will. 5 stars (Essential tool for all wordsmiths, not just students) - Although intended primarily for students, The Little Brown Handbook is an excellent reference for all nonfiction writers. While writing my own recent book on option pricing, I consulted it often regarding the use of colons, semicolons, dashes, and other fine points of punctuation. It even served as an arbiter of correct grammar and usage in the occasional dispute with my copy editor! Almost everything critical to good writing is covered--from organization, paragraph coherence, and sentence structure, to punctuation, word choice, and issues of style--and in sufficient detail to be useful to the working wordsmith. Guidelines for academic writers, a discussion of the American Psychological Association (APA) style employed in the social sciences, and suggestions for use of the internet in research, also appear in The Little Brown Handbook. All in all, this book should be found near the Strunk and White classic, The Elements of Style, on any writer's bookshelf. I would unhesitatingly recommend it to anyone who writes, either for pleasure or for a living. Jeffrey Owen Katz, Ph.D. Author (With Donna L. McCormick): ? ? "Advanced Option Pricing Models" (McGraw Hill, 2005) ? ? "The Encyclopedia of Trading Strategies" (McGraw Hill, 2000) ... Longman :: Rhetoric :: Report writing :: Reference :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Language Arts & Disciplines :: Language :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Grammar :: :: The Little- Brown Handbook- Ninth Edition
5 stars (Excellent health reference ) - I have several books in my library which cover equine health but this is certainly the most comprehensive. The book is set out in chapters which cover the major systems of the horse - respiratory, circulatory, nervous, reproductive etc Each chapter then starts with a complete explaination of that system and follows with an alphabetic listing of the problems or diseases. There are plenty of clear photos and diagrams and there are two further indexes to help you to find what you are looking for or to cross-reference information. I would certainly recommend this as the book to get, especially if you can only afford to get one health reference book. 5 stars (horse owner's veterinary handbook) - This book will come in very handy and is very simple to understand. I love this book 5 stars (It's a MUST have) - Very informative ... and in plain old english. ... Howell Book House :: Pets & Horses & Care :: Pets :: Horses - General :: Horses :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Diseases :: Cardiology :: Animals & Pets :: Tom Gore :: James M Giffin :: :: Horse Owner-s Veterinary Handbook
3 stars (Tone is wearing) - In "Bird by Bird," author Anne Lamott offers a reasonable amount of advice on the craft and reality of writing. Many of her suggestions are intriguing and creative: writing to a one-inch frame, comparing writing to a Polaroid photo, writing as a letter or a present. The best and most compelling sections of this book are those in which she writes extensively about her own experiences. Several sections are genuinely moving. Unfortunately, Lamott has a rambling, obsessive, stream-of-consciousness style of writing which reminds me of the Cathy comic strip. Here's an example from the book: "You may begin showing signs of schizophrenia--like you'll stare at the word schizophrenia so long that it will start to look wrong and you won't be able to find it in the dictionary and you'll start to think you made it up, and then you'll notice a tiny mouth sore, one of those tiny canker sores that your tongue can't keep away from, that feels like a wound the size of a marble, but when you go to study it in the mirror, you see that it is a white spot roughly as big as a pinhead. Still, the next thing you know--because you're spending too much time alone--you are convinced that you have mouth cancer, just like good old Sigmund, and you know instantly that doctors will have to cut away half your jaw, trying to save your miserable obsessive-compulsive head from being cannibalized by the cancer, and you'll have to go around wearing a hood over your entire face, and no one will ever want to kiss you again, not that they ever really did." Some readers may find that style of writing delightfully funny. I found it wearing and annoying. To be fair, in this excerpt, Lamott was illustrating how the mind wanders when one is trying to write. But this was not the first excerpt in the book that dealt with mouth sores, and this writing style pervades the entire book. It should also be noted that Lamott uses frequent profanity. I would not be comfortable recommending ... Anchor :: Reference & Writing Skills :: Writing Skills :: Reference :: Language Arts & Disciplines :: Language :: Journalism :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Composition & Creat :: Bird by Bird - Some Instructions on Writing and Life
5 stars (Always remember...) - The reader is another person. Regardless of the rules, talk to that person! Lay it out in human terms... Than another person can relate to. There is no excuse for bad writing. - Clint Arthur, author of "Free Your Love Now" 4 stars (Embrace the Power that is Turabian!) - I used this for several years as an undergrad, and now that I'm being sucked into APA-heck, I look back on it fondly. It covered everything I ever needed to know to write a paper. Some reviewers have complained that it is not sufficiently modern, that it does not provide a citation style for web pages, etc. This is incorrect. Section 8.141, on page 151, shows us how to do this. (Some ellision from the demonstrated form will probably be necessary, but it works.) You didn't invent the internet, kids. It's been around for a few years, and the grown-ups really do know about it. Turabian, Grossman, and Bennett did make several assumptions about the reader of their book. They assumed he or she is capable of using a table of contents, and of reading rather large chunks of text and assimilating or marking the relevant portions. If one lacks the intellectual fortitude to do that, one should probably skip this manual and ask their instructor if they can use the "Golden Books" or "DC Comics" manual of style. 5 stars (Accentuate the positive) - Have you ever noticed that more people read the good reviews more than the bad ones? This book is appropriate for what it is meant for. If you know Turabian died prior to a new edition of the book, then maybe you should be using your PC to search for electronic resources (using Turabian font in the search engine)..... and not wasting time being negative... ... University Of Chicago Press :: Reference & General :: Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities :: Report writing :: Reference :: Higher :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: General :: Education :: :: A Manual for Writers of Term Papers- Theses- and Dissertations (Chicago Guides to Writing- Editing-
4 stars (Great for a starting point-get practice problems for Geotech) - I agree with other users on the great index and also explains clearly phase diagram and their formulas. As I and others can attest to, we have long needed a practice oriented book for the Geotech PM Depth. Improve your odds and get Geotechnical review book by soilstructure.com My copy is well worth the price. 4 stars (Worthwhile investment) - I bought this reference to use for studying for the PE, along with its accompanying study guide; however, I ended up studying only about 4 hours before the PE test. I made my first pass through each session using my normal references, leaving blank any difficult to find problems. I then went back through with this book. I passed the test (in 2002), but in hindsight, I would have done it the other way, That is, use the CE Reference first and then try my other books. This book is a real time saver, and the index is very thorough. I also use it regularly in practice. For perspective, I took the "Water Resources" test. 5 stars (Perfect companion for the morning session) - This book is more or less standard-issue for PE-takers (come exam day, you'll see zillions of the CERM scattered throughout the exam hall). If you find yourself on the fence about shelling out the $$ for it, I've found it to be a good investment. Having recently taken and passed the PE exam, I can attest to this book's usefulness. The index, in particular, I found to be pretty expansive - I used it to find answers to more than one problem where I was fairly clueless. Please note, the CERM's utility is certainly highest on the morning (breadth) section. Although it won't be entirely useless on the afternoon (depth) portion of the exam, you'll definitely utilize other references more heavily. I, for one, was impressed by how lopsided the difference in difficulty between sections turned out to be. Regardless of exam section, each question is equally weighted; thus, it's best to "clean ... Professional Publications (CA) :: United States :: Technology :: Study Guides :: Professional - General :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Examinations :: Engineering - Civil :: Civil engineering :: Michae :: Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam- Ninth Edition
2 stars (My Review) - Some peopel may find this book useful. I am just begining to learn the APA format and I did not find this book to be user friendly. I have had better information given to me from handouts from other books. 5 stars (Critical Information for Writing for the APA Publications) - The first question you'd have to ask about this book is Why would the American Psychological Association have a style guide. The answer is that the APA Style is the definitive guide to the style that the APA wants to see in their publications and this style is also used by a number of other publications that have adopted the APA Style. Among the critical points of the APA Style is how to construct an error-free reference list crediting all sources properly and avoiding all charges of plagiarism. This has become extremely critical in today's world where any research seems subject to actively looking for any way they can discredit someone else rather than do their own work. In addition the style book is an authoritative guide to how best to present the ideas and data that is so hard to gather. Being able to present data in a way that is understandable to the reader is perhaps the most difficult yet the most important part of writing a paper. This book is the concise version. It is a small format book designed to be convenient, portable and yet complete. ... American Psychological Association (APA) :: Writing Skills :: Social sciences :: Reference :: Publishing :: Psychology :: Professional - General :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Composition & Creative Writing - :: Concise Rules Of Apa Style (Concise Rules of the American Psychological Association (APA) Style)
5 stars (Well Done) - Thank you Amazon! Great Product, great price, making my college books very reasonable. 5 stars (A great resource) - I ordered this book because it was on a list of required texts for a class I am currently enrolled in. I wish I had this book years ago; it would have helped a great deal in high school and in the time since then in college and even in helping my younger brother to write his reports. Not only does it give the basic mechanics of writing but it also completely explains the MLA, APA, and Chicago styles of documentation. Each section has a thumb tab and an index for ease in finding needed info. 5 stars (Misplaced Parts, Dangling Modifiers) - The LITTLE, BROWN COMPACT HANDBOOK is one of those essential resources that no writer, email user, student, or English speaker should be without. This current edition in particular is designed to be useful, both in its compact overall size as well as in its plastic comb binding which allows any page to be opened flat upon the desk alongside a keyboard while typing. In addition to its clearly-written and comprehensive treatment of grammar rules and punctuation, the LITTLE, BROWN COMPACT HANDBOOK contains highly useful sections on formatting and citation styles (MLA, APA, etc.), research methods, and methods for effective and persuasive argument formation. All sections are conveniently tabbed for quick access to the information you need. I highly recommend this excellent reference for anyone looking to improve the quality of their writing. Jeremy W. Forstadt ... Longman :: Rhetoric :: Reference :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Language Arts & Disciplines :: Language :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Grammar :: English language :: The Little- Brown Compact Handbook- Fifth Edition
5 stars (Comprehensive resource) - I am currently using my Chicago Manual of Style for law journal editing. It's a great comprehensive resource for style, grammar and usage. I don't know what I would do without it! 5 stars (Solid) - There are a number of style manuals out there. This one is no-nonsense, authoritative, and well-respected. If you want to learn to sharpen your writing and language skills, it would serve you well to study this text and keep it handy for reference. 5 stars (usefulness without end) - Keeping a copy of the 15th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style nearby is like having a friend to consult over matters of writing style. Whether or not one intends to abide by "the rules", it is certainly useful to have ready access to them. ... University Of Chicago Press :: Reference & Writing Skills :: Writing Skills :: Style manuals :: Reference :: Printing :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Gener :: The Chicago Manual of Style
5 stars (MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Sixth Edition) - This book will take you step by step on how to write a research paper. The topics are listed at the beginning of each parragraph. Some of the paragraphs have the main points and highlights at the end. It's a great book to have handy. 5 stars (MLA Handbook for writers of Research Papers, sixth editions) - An excellent overall guide for writing research papers. I highly recommend this product for all college and college-bound students. What a remarkable way to display and work with the English Language. 5 stars (Must have...) - This is a very important handbook for English Graduate students, especially since professors expect only the best papers from their students at this level. The layout is very simple and it covers almost everything. I like how it goes into punctuation issues; I always have trouble remembering when to use semi-colons versus commas. I'm probably still using them wrong. There are a few grammer issues I wish they'd include, such as "who" versus "whom," but overall most everything is covered. ... Modern Language Association of America :: Writing Skills :: Research :: Report writing :: Reference :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Handbooks & Manuals :: Editing & P :: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers- Sixth Edition
5 stars (this is a very good book.) - i've taught the fire academy using the textbook. it is a very good book for beginning firefighters as well as those who been firefighters for a while. jim davis 5 stars (Great Read) - I recently joined a volunteer fire department and this book truly helped me through the six months probationary period. 5 stars (Great!!) - This is a must have for anyone who aspires to being a firefighter. Vivid descriptions, Helpful tips, How-to Skill Sheets, and Clear illustrations help the student master otherwise difficult material. I'm currently going through firefighting class and would not be able to live without this book. ... Intl Fire Service Training Assn :: Reference :: Personal & Practical Guides :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Fire prevention :: Fire extinction :: Career&Job :: Barbara Adams :: Richard Hall :: Internatio :: Essentials of Fire Fighting
