That or Which, and Why A Usage Guide for Thoughtful Writers and Editors [Hardcover]

That or Which, and Why is an insightful and witty guide to writing. Based on Evan Jenkins's long-running column 'Language Corner' in Columbia Journalism Review, the book is compiled of brief, alphabetically arranged entries on approximately 200 major writing stumbling blocks, from the wonderful world of 'that' and 'which' to trickier terrain like the correct usage of common idiomatic expressions.

Working from his experiences as a newsroom editor and teacher, Jenkins' humorous tone puts the reader at ease, unlike many of the writing and usage guides out there that are off-putting in their rigidity and dogmatism. He takes the 'we're-all-in-this-together' approach to teaching better writing - maintaining a light tone throughout the book and emphasizing flexibility and easy-to-use guidelines rather than delivering orders from Grammar-on-high.

A consulting editor for the Columbia Journalism Review, Jenkins adds an engaging book to the language maven's shelf. ... Highly recommended. --CHOICE

Move over, Professor Strunk. This slim volume is a clear, complete, and wonderfully witty guide to words and how to use them. Itll never be far from my elbow.

William G. Connolly, co-author of The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage

Evan Jenkins has produced a great collection of advice on English usage that is as entertaining as it is invaluable.  With its incisive mix of erudition, playfulness, and common sense, That or Which, and Why is an indispensable guide for anyone who wishes to write well.
   --Tom Goldstein, former dean of the journalism schools at Berkeley and Columbia and co-author of The Lawyer's Guide to Writing Well
 

A brilliant and entertaining romp through difficult questions of English usage.lSx