The Oxford Dictionary of Usage and Style

Bryan A. Garner, a noted lawyer and lexicographer, has written extensively on the English language and the language of law. His earlier books include A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage, The Elements of Legal Style, and The Winning Brief. He is Editor-in-Chief of Black's Law Dictionary and President of LawProse, Inc., a Dallas-based company that provides continuing-legal-education seminars to lawyers nationwide.

"Excellent. Garner extends the reach of the prescriptive Fowler and the descriptive Merriam-Webster."--William Safire, The New York Times"The most succinct and sensible advice on American usage to come down the pike in a long while."--The San Diego Union-Tribune"Although Garner's manual is full and learned, his entries are quick and get to the point, easy to understand and nicely cross-referenced. He is also fun to read. A number of good books on usage have come out over the years, but Ive been unable to say of any of them, 'This is the one'--until now."--Austin American-Statesman (Texas)"More consistently entertaining and approachable than the more formal Merriam Webster and New Fowler's."--The Baltimore Sun"A superlative book."--Arizona Republic"Excellent. Garner extends the reach of the prescriptive Fowler and the descriptive Merriam-Webster."--William Safire, The New York Times"The most succinct and sensible advice on American usage to come down the pike in a long while."--The San Diego Union-TribuneAlthough Garner's manual is full and learned, his entries are quick and get to the point, easy to understand and nicely cross-referenced. He is also fun to read. A number of good books on usage have come out over the years, but I've been unable to say of any of them, 'This is the one'--until now."--Austin American-Statesman (Texas)"A superlative book."--Arizona Republic"More consistently entertaining and approachable than the more formal Merriam-Webster and New Fowler's."--The Baltimore Sun