Book Of The Week: Essays of E.B. White

No folks, I have not lost my marbles - I understand the concept that the "Book of The Week" implies a weekly, not daily introduction to some noteworthy works, however having covered Mr. White's and Strunk's "The Elements of Style" yesterday, I thought I'd fill everybody in on a not-so well kept secret; E.B. White is also an amazing writer.

"Essays of E.B White" is a brilliant collection of essays that are cherished equally by writers and readers. He is one of a handful of writers who I have loved since my childhood, as we often become literary snobs once the 30's are met, forsaking many of the authors of our youth as sophomoric. White's works are different - they transcend age, classification and genre.

Besides penning the classics "Stuart Little" and "Charlotte's Web", E.B. White, prior to his death in 1985, was a writer's writer whose skills were not limited merely to the genre of children's fiction.

"Essays of E.B. White" is broken-down into 7 categories; the farm, the planet, the city, Florida, memories, diversions and obsessions and books, men and writing. They are brilliant works ranging in length that can be appreciated by anybody. His analysis and understanding of the most minute details are so easily conveyed that I often wonder if I could ever be as great of a writer as E.B. White.

I could without much difficulty at all add some of my favorite excerpts from the book, but that wouldn't be fair to the rest. The collection of essays are as simple to digest and as readable as anything you'll read, however often there are subtle reminders of just how great a writer Mr. White was;

When we got back for a swim before lunch, the lake was exactly where we had left it, the same number of inches from the dock, and there was only the merest suggestion of a breeze.

Simple and void of words that have you reaching for your Funk & Wagnall's, yet genius in the sense that it allows the visualization of his prose without much trouble at all.

The cover of the printing I own is also one of my favorite covers to any book I own.


I will be more than happy to be half the writer he is once my days on this planet become numbered - the man is a genius. "Essays of E.B. White" is a collection by one of the greatest essayists, a book that should be owned by both fanatical fans of literature and casual readers alike.

Book Of The Week: Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style"

If you've done so much as briefly scan the pages of this site, you'll know that I can be a little anal about grammar and style.

Contrary to popular belief, I am not perfect and I make plenty of mistakes. My efforts are not contradictory to such errors, but a means of improving on them.

Understandably, it's one thing if you're chatting with a chum where colloquial and jargon is a more common happenstance, but if you happen to be one of the lucky few who can afford to make a living by writing, then please make an effort to use proper, functional English.

William Stunk Jr.and E.B. White first published the famed guide for all writers "The Elements of Style" in 1959. It has since experienced a handful of revisions and different editions, but the effect remains the same; it is the writer's Bible.


The book's ultimate efficacy is apparent in its timelessness and ability to truncate an idea into a simple concept. Ideas span from the basic ('s as a means of identifying the possessive) to the those which deal with style (Chapter V's "Approach To Style".)

Let's have a gander at an example shall we;

Currently. In the sense of now with a verb in the present tense, currently is usually redundant; emphasis is better achieved through a more precise reference to time.

We are currently reviewing your file.

We are at this moment reviewing your application.

* This is a great example of a principle of style, more so than grammar.

Should you have a penchant for the proper usage of grammar and style, or wish to improve the way you write, this book is a must-have. Even if you're not a writer, it stands as a perfect set of guidelines for those simply looking to improve the way they write, and as a result the way they speak - which, depending on which circles you socialize in, may make all the difference in the world.

As a final point vaguely concerning "The Elements of Style", I found an image on the Internet pertaining to the book that should amuse an old friend of mine. I can be a decent friend, but a real prick to those who make the occasional grammatical error - this is for you;


Thanks for reading folks - you're continued support is valued.