Another good reference guide from the HSE, 14 Feb 2008
This book is mandatory reference material for people involved with electrical safety in the workplace. We use it here at PPL Training for the Part P courses both defined and full scope. For those that are invloved in Part P electrics we would highly recommend this book as reference material for Part P approval vists from Part P competent persons schemes. Teh book is clearly laid out and is not a sparkie read only as other non electrical readers will find it useful.

Another good reference guide from the HSE, 14 Feb 2008
This book is mandatory reference material for people involved with electrical safety in the workplace. We use it here at PPL Training for the Part P courses both defined and full scope. For those that are invloved in Part P electrics we would highly recommend this book as reference material for Part P approval vists from Part P competent persons schemes. Teh book is clearly laid out and is not a sparkie read only as other non electrical readers will find it useful.

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 11 Apr 2006
This book was supplied at my recent NEBOSH general certificate course and was invaluable in passing said course.
However its use beyond that has also been invaluable, it gives good clear information on most Health and Safety issues to be found in a manufacturing unit. It is not over complicated by legalise, is written in plan English and has a user-friendly index. If I had a criticism it would be that sometimes a subject is spread through out the book but not sure if you can avoid that.

Great for NEBOSH Certificate Students, 04 Feb 2005
This is a great introduction for anyone to health and safety and is an ideal text for anyone studying the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health. www.SafetyServicesDirect.com

Another good reference guide from the HSE, 14 Feb 2008
This book is mandatory reference material for people involved with electrical safety in the workplace. We use it here at PPL Training for the Part P courses both defined and full scope. For those that are invloved in Part P electrics we would highly recommend this book as reference material for Part P approval vists from Part P competent persons schemes. Teh book is clearly laid out and is not a sparkie read only as other non electrical readers will find it useful.

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 11 Apr 2006
This book was supplied at my recent NEBOSH general certificate course and was invaluable in passing said course.
However its use beyond that has also been invaluable, it gives good clear information on most Health and Safety issues to be found in a manufacturing unit. It is not over complicated by legalise, is written in plan English and has a user-friendly index. If I had a criticism it would be that sometimes a subject is spread through out the book but not sure if you can avoid that.

Great for NEBOSH Certificate Students, 04 Feb 2005
This is a great introduction for anyone to health and safety and is an ideal text for anyone studying the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health. www.SafetyServicesDirect.com

I turned to this book in desperation and wasn't disapointed, 03 Sep 2008
In 5 years of buying books on Amazon this is the only book that I felt I wanted to write a review on.

I've been struggling to create good copy for a web site for some time and in the end I turned to this book in desperation. This book covered everything I needed to know succinctly and clearly. Not only did the book present the principals I needed to understand but each time I turned a page it gave me yet more ideas to implement immediately in my copy.

To sum it up this book felt like someone had handed me a Sat Nav whilst I was lost in a blizzard.

A brilliant guide to making your words work hard, 20 Jun 2008
I loved this book by Andy Maslen. It is the most practical, helpful, doable guide to persuasive writing that I have ever read. It is packed with exercises that you can apply directly to what you have written that will improve your copy dramatically. It is a very easy read and can be used as a working manual. Should you buy it? - it is a no brainer - order it now!

Presses all the "write" buttons, 19 May 2008
I have read a lot about copywriting and taken a course in it. Whether you are an aspiring copywriter or a more experienced one, "The Ultimate Guide..." must rank as a must have in your library. It is easy to read, very comprehensive and has just a dash of humour.

Andy Maslen has identified the most important aspects of good copywriting and laid them out in an entertaining and easy to understand way. Chapters 13, "The black arts", and 14, "Why your sales copy should be like a bowl of Rice Krispies", stand out for as particularly useful to me, but the book is (copywriting cliche coming up) packed full of useful tips and techniques.

An index would have been useful, but the book is concise and clearly laid out so this does not detract significantly.

BRILLIANT! , 08 May 2008
This is quite simply the best book I have come across on writing sales and markeing copy. The author provides plain but highly effective advice on making your copy sell, sell, sell!

best business book I've read in months, 22 Apr 2008
Andy's book is exceptional - not only is it terrific to read
(obvious I know but worth saying) it has helped guide me like no other. And even more importantly it will help me to help my clients. A must-have.

Another good reference guide from the HSE, 14 Feb 2008
This book is mandatory reference material for people involved with electrical safety in the workplace. We use it here at PPL Training for the Part P courses both defined and full scope. For those that are invloved in Part P electrics we would highly recommend this book as reference material for Part P approval vists from Part P competent persons schemes. Teh book is clearly laid out and is not a sparkie read only as other non electrical readers will find it useful.

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 11 Apr 2006
This book was supplied at my recent NEBOSH general certificate course and was invaluable in passing said course.
However its use beyond that has also been invaluable, it gives good clear information on most Health and Safety issues to be found in a manufacturing unit. It is not over complicated by legalise, is written in plan English and has a user-friendly index. If I had a criticism it would be that sometimes a subject is spread through out the book but not sure if you can avoid that.

Great for NEBOSH Certificate Students, 04 Feb 2005
This is a great introduction for anyone to health and safety and is an ideal text for anyone studying the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health. www.SafetyServicesDirect.com

I turned to this book in desperation and wasn't disapointed, 03 Sep 2008
In 5 years of buying books on Amazon this is the only book that I felt I wanted to write a review on.

I've been struggling to create good copy for a web site for some time and in the end I turned to this book in desperation. This book covered everything I needed to know succinctly and clearly. Not only did the book present the principals I needed to understand but each time I turned a page it gave me yet more ideas to implement immediately in my copy.

To sum it up this book felt like someone had handed me a Sat Nav whilst I was lost in a blizzard.

A brilliant guide to making your words work hard, 20 Jun 2008
I loved this book by Andy Maslen. It is the most practical, helpful, doable guide to persuasive writing that I have ever read. It is packed with exercises that you can apply directly to what you have written that will improve your copy dramatically. It is a very easy read and can be used as a working manual. Should you buy it? - it is a no brainer - order it now!

Presses all the "write" buttons, 19 May 2008
I have read a lot about copywriting and taken a course in it. Whether you are an aspiring copywriter or a more experienced one, "The Ultimate Guide..." must rank as a must have in your library. It is easy to read, very comprehensive and has just a dash of humour.

Andy Maslen has identified the most important aspects of good copywriting and laid them out in an entertaining and easy to understand way. Chapters 13, "The black arts", and 14, "Why your sales copy should be like a bowl of Rice Krispies", stand out for as particularly useful to me, but the book is (copywriting cliche coming up) packed full of useful tips and techniques.

An index would have been useful, but the book is concise and clearly laid out so this does not detract significantly.

BRILLIANT! , 08 May 2008
This is quite simply the best book I have come across on writing sales and markeing copy. The author provides plain but highly effective advice on making your copy sell, sell, sell!

best business book I've read in months, 22 Apr 2008
Andy's book is exceptional - not only is it terrific to read
(obvious I know but worth saying) it has helped guide me like no other. And even more importantly it will help me to help my clients. A must-have.


A practical, easy-to-use resource for minute-taking, 23 Jan 2007
The unsung hero of any corporate meeting is the minute-taker, quietly and diligently recording the decisions, big and small, that fuel the engines of business. Minute-taking is not simply the process of scribbling notes on a pad. A skilled minute-taker distills lengthy discussions down to their essential messages, and creates order and harmony from the often discordant process of reaching a consensus. Office communication consultant Joanna Gutmann carefully explains every aspect of the process, from setting up the meeting and distributing the agenda to taking notes and formatting the minutes. You will encounter quite a bit of redundancy if you read the book cover-to-cover, but we believe you will find it to be an indispensable reference if you are assigned to take the minutes.

Fantastic Step-By-Step Guide, 19 Sep 2003
I have a new job where I am required to take minutes of meetings. I've never taken minutes before in my life. I bought this book in my hour of need. It is fantastic! It takes you through the process step-by-step offering advice in plain English.

I have taken a few meetings now and everyone is shocked at my ability - they all think I've been minuting for years!

Highly recommended!

Great value for money, 17 May 2003
Saved a fortune with this easy step by step guides. Local training centre was offering tuition at high cost.
Very convenient to teach yourself to achieve great proffessional results. Ideal for first time readers. Now I can up-date my CV

Most newspapers and magazines issue their contributors with a style guide. Writers, be they on staff or freelance, then know whether a publication's house style requires % or per cent or commas in dates. Sometimes it's just a tatty sheet of typed A4 but since 1986 The Economist has developed its stylish Style Guide, through six editions, into a full length reference book.

Because English is such a vast and continuously evolving language--its vocabulary is double that of French and more than three times larger than German--it is open to multifarious use and all the old arguments about correctness or lack of it. The Economist unequivocally sets out its version of what is acceptable and why, usually conforming to Fowler's Modern English Usage and other good guides to getting it right. It also refutes dozens of common errors, stating firmly, for example, that "Data are plural" and that "Any one refers to a number; anyone to anybody."

Since its style guide is set out in such detail, it makes sense to publish it for the rest of the world, most of whom are not writers for The Economist but who simply want a succinctly witty guide to writing accurately. The first section focuses on minutiae such as distinguishing between a "little-used car" and a "little used-car". It also insists that "to never split an infinitive is quite easy" and, in English so impeccable that you have to read it twice to be sure, that "Frankenstein was not a monster, but his creator." After a section setting out rules governing American and British English this handy reference book provides a miscellany of useful information including abbreviations, currencies, calendars and conversions for metric and imperial measurements. --Susan Elkin

Another good reference guide from the HSE, 14 Feb 2008
This book is mandatory reference material for people involved with electrical safety in the workplace. We use it here at PPL Training for the Part P courses both defined and full scope. For those that are invloved in Part P electrics we would highly recommend this book as reference material for Part P approval vists from Part P competent persons schemes. Teh book is clearly laid out and is not a sparkie read only as other non electrical readers will find it useful.

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 11 Apr 2006
This book was supplied at my recent NEBOSH general certificate course and was invaluable in passing said course.
However its use beyond that has also been invaluable, it gives good clear information on most Health and Safety issues to be found in a manufacturing unit. It is not over complicated by legalise, is written in plan English and has a user-friendly index. If I had a criticism it would be that sometimes a subject is spread through out the book but not sure if you can avoid that.

Great for NEBOSH Certificate Students, 04 Feb 2005
This is a great introduction for anyone to health and safety and is an ideal text for anyone studying the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health. www.SafetyServicesDirect.com

I turned to this book in desperation and wasn't disapointed, 03 Sep 2008
In 5 years of buying books on Amazon this is the only book that I felt I wanted to write a review on.

I've been struggling to create good copy for a web site for some time and in the end I turned to this book in desperation. This book covered everything I needed to know succinctly and clearly. Not only did the book present the principals I needed to understand but each time I turned a page it gave me yet more ideas to implement immediately in my copy.

To sum it up this book felt like someone had handed me a Sat Nav whilst I was lost in a blizzard.

A brilliant guide to making your words work hard, 20 Jun 2008
I loved this book by Andy Maslen. It is the most practical, helpful, doable guide to persuasive writing that I have ever read. It is packed with exercises that you can apply directly to what you have written that will improve your copy dramatically. It is a very easy read and can be used as a working manual. Should you buy it? - it is a no brainer - order it now!

Presses all the "write" buttons, 19 May 2008
I have read a lot about copywriting and taken a course in it. Whether you are an aspiring copywriter or a more experienced one, "The Ultimate Guide..." must rank as a must have in your library. It is easy to read, very comprehensive and has just a dash of humour.

Andy Maslen has identified the most important aspects of good copywriting and laid them out in an entertaining and easy to understand way. Chapters 13, "The black arts", and 14, "Why your sales copy should be like a bowl of Rice Krispies", stand out for as particularly useful to me, but the book is (copywriting cliche coming up) packed full of useful tips and techniques.

An index would have been useful, but the book is concise and clearly laid out so this does not detract significantly.

BRILLIANT! , 08 May 2008
This is quite simply the best book I have come across on writing sales and markeing copy. The author provides plain but highly effective advice on making your copy sell, sell, sell!

best business book I've read in months, 22 Apr 2008
Andy's book is exceptional - not only is it terrific to read
(obvious I know but worth saying) it has helped guide me like no other. And even more importantly it will help me to help my clients. A must-have.


A practical, easy-to-use resource for minute-taking, 23 Jan 2007
The unsung hero of any corporate meeting is the minute-taker, quietly and diligently recording the decisions, big and small, that fuel the engines of business. Minute-taking is not simply the process of scribbling notes on a pad. A skilled minute-taker distills lengthy discussions down to their essential messages, and creates order and harmony from the often discordant process of reaching a consensus. Office communication consultant Joanna Gutmann carefully explains every aspect of the process, from setting up the meeting and distributing the agenda to taking notes and formatting the minutes. You will encounter quite a bit of redundancy if you read the book cover-to-cover, but we believe you will find it to be an indispensable reference if you are assigned to take the minutes.

Fantastic Step-By-Step Guide, 19 Sep 2003
I have a new job where I am required to take minutes of meetings. I've never taken minutes before in my life. I bought this book in my hour of need. It is fantastic! It takes you through the process step-by-step offering advice in plain English.

I have taken a few meetings now and everyone is shocked at my ability - they all think I've been minuting for years!

Highly recommended!

Great value for money, 17 May 2003
Saved a fortune with this easy step by step guides. Local training centre was offering tuition at high cost.
Very convenient to teach yourself to achieve great proffessional results. Ideal for first time readers. Now I can up-date my CV

If it is possible to cut out a word, cut it out, 05 Apr 2008
The title I have used is the third of George Orwell's "six elementary rules" to writing good English. These six rules still have a prominent place in this book's introduction, although there are now many more, gleaned from and generally attributed to other writers. This, to come to the point immediately, is my only criticism of The Economist's Style Guide. In its ninth edition, it must be more than twice the length of the one I bought in the early 90s (and now lost - probably lent to someone). The extra length detracts, I think, from the clarity of the stylistic advice, confusing it with detail, e.g. distinguishing flaunt from flount, numerous entries on currencies and the writing of nationalities. Much of the detail is relevant only to those writing on global politics and economics, although the core principles apply to everyone writing in the hope of being read, or read with pleasure!

It is perhaps unfair, though, to criticise this book for being too much of a good thing. It purports to be the actual style guide used by The Economist's journalists, and I am sure that that is just what it was (but that the current version is a little longer again). It is particularly good on he differences between American and British English, and how one can find words and expressions that are unobjectionable in both. It is humorously written - although if you want a more humorous differentiation of words you might try that redoubtable (Anglo-?)American Bill Bryson's "Troublesome Words". (Mr Bryson has however given the book a generous commendation, quoted on its back cover.) It is an excellent reference source - although if that is what you are after some of The Economist's other publications will give you much more of the same. It is a great guide to writing in the crisp style that characterises The Economist, although it does not differentiate where it is explaining gramatical correctness from those instances of where it is merely advising an approach (and where others would be equally correct).

This is a great reference book for the wordsmith - I, however, would appreciate an abridged version that presented the core issues with fewer distractions, rather like its earlier editions.



Essential guide, 24 Oct 2007
This is a very useful publication if you are writing, editing or, like me, designing publications. On many subjects it is definitive, others are more subjective and you can make your own determination... the important thing is to have a style guide and follow it consistently. Not only will this lend consistency to your production, it will shortcut many an argument and support your sanity in the face of impending deadlines.

Lives on my desk, not my shelf, 27 Aug 2007
If you're under the impression that the Economist has started giving out fashion advice, then this book is not for you.

If you are reading this review, then I hope you know what a Style Guide is. The Economist has gained a reputation for clear communication, and the Style Guide is part of that.

I'm not a journalist, but writing about financial matters is something I need to do as part of my professional life. Having a single reference that can answer questions like "on-line or online" for me has been very useful.

This is not a book that seeks to debate on the merits of different styles of written prose, but lays out, clearly, the style recommended for those writing for one publication.

The Economist's style isn't always appropriate - in organisations that prefer a "conversational marketing" approach, a more discursive style may be appropriate. However, having a consistent set of ground rules can be useful.

Oh, and the Style Guide not only explains what ground rules are, confirming that my usage was correct, but prevented me from just hyphenating the term in this review.

A must for any bookshelf, 26 Oct 2005
I own 2 editions of this book, the first from 1986.

The later version has more reference material than the first but I was a tad disappointed by the lower quality paper used in this version.

That said, this is a great book for anyone who has to write reports or essays and clarifies many grammatical problems, something to which I am emminently prone.

You will also find this to be a valuable general reference book!

Excellent in what it covers, but..., 22 Oct 2005
Excellent glossaries e.g. of proper names that have changed over recent years (UKraine, not the Ukraine; Beijing, not Peking) and of currencies.

Excellent for pointing out fuzzy thinking in your writing and for exposing the emptiness of certain cliches.

Perfect for journalistic purposes; less exhaustive for academic writing or other formal writing.

Beware: many of the recommendations are Economist house style and are not standard British English (e.g. small capitals for all abbreviations).

You will need Oxford: New Hart's Rules (now contained in the Oxford Style Manual) for a full examination of the punctuation of quotations, since the Guide applies journalistic conventions, in which the standard rules of British English puncutation are often reversed.

Another good reference guide from the HSE, 14 Feb 2008
This book is mandatory reference material for people involved with electrical safety in the workplace. We use it here at PPL Training for the Part P courses both defined and full scope. For those that are invloved in Part P electrics we would highly recommend this book as reference material for Part P approval vists from Part P competent persons schemes. Teh book is clearly laid out and is not a sparkie read only as other non electrical readers will find it useful.

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 11 Apr 2006
This book was supplied at my recent NEBOSH general certificate course and was invaluable in passing said course.
However its use beyond that has also been invaluable, it gives good clear information on most Health and Safety issues to be found in a manufacturing unit. It is not over complicated by legalise, is written in plan English and has a user-friendly index. If I had a criticism it would be that sometimes a subject is spread through out the book but not sure if you can avoid that.

Great for NEBOSH Certificate Students, 04 Feb 2005
This is a great introduction for anyone to health and safety and is an ideal text for anyone studying the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health. www.SafetyServicesDirect.com

I turned to this book in desperation and wasn't disapointed, 03 Sep 2008
In 5 years of buying books on Amazon this is the only book that I felt I wanted to write a review on.

I've been struggling to create good copy for a web site for some time and in the end I turned to this book in desperation. This book covered everything I needed to know succinctly and clearly. Not only did the book present the principals I needed to understand but each time I turned a page it gave me yet more ideas to implement immediately in my copy.

To sum it up this book felt like someone had handed me a Sat Nav whilst I was lost in a blizzard.

A brilliant guide to making your words work hard, 20 Jun 2008
I loved this book by Andy Maslen. It is the most practical, helpful, doable guide to persuasive writing that I have ever read. It is packed with exercises that you can apply directly to what you have written that will improve your copy dramatically. It is a very easy read and can be used as a working manual. Should you buy it? - it is a no brainer - order it now!

Presses all the "write" buttons, 19 May 2008
I have read a lot about copywriting and taken a course in it. Whether you are an aspiring copywriter or a more experienced one, "The Ultimate Guide..." must rank as a must have in your library. It is easy to read, very comprehensive and has just a dash of humour.

Andy Maslen has identified the most important aspects of good copywriting and laid them out in an entertaining and easy to understand way. Chapters 13, "The black arts", and 14, "Why your sales copy should be like a bowl of Rice Krispies", stand out for as particularly useful to me, but the book is (copywriting cliche coming up) packed full of useful tips and techniques.

An index would have been useful, but the book is concise and clearly laid out so this does not detract significantly.

BRILLIANT! , 08 May 2008
This is quite simply the best book I have come across on writing sales and markeing copy. The author provides plain but highly effective advice on making your copy sell, sell, sell!

best business book I've read in months, 22 Apr 2008
Andy's book is exceptional - not only is it terrific to read
(obvious I know but worth saying) it has helped guide me like no other. And even more importantly it will help me to help my clients. A must-have.


A practical, easy-to-use resource for minute-taking, 23 Jan 2007
The unsung hero of any corporate meeting is the minute-taker, quietly and diligently recording the decisions, big and small, that fuel the engines of business. Minute-taking is not simply the process of scribbling notes on a pad. A skilled minute-taker distills lengthy discussions down to their essential messages, and creates order and harmony from the often discordant process of reaching a consensus. Office communication consultant Joanna Gutmann carefully explains every aspect of the process, from setting up the meeting and distributing the agenda to taking notes and formatting the minutes. You will encounter quite a bit of redundancy if you read the book cover-to-cover, but we believe you will find it to be an indispensable reference if you are assigned to take the minutes.

Fantastic Step-By-Step Guide, 19 Sep 2003
I have a new job where I am required to take minutes of meetings. I've never taken minutes before in my life. I bought this book in my hour of need. It is fantastic! It takes you through the process step-by-step offering advice in plain English.

I have taken a few meetings now and everyone is shocked at my ability - they all think I've been minuting for years!

Highly recommended!

Great value for money, 17 May 2003
Saved a fortune with this easy step by step guides. Local training centre was offering tuition at high cost.
Very convenient to teach yourself to achieve great proffessional results. Ideal for first time readers. Now I can up-date my CV

If it is possible to cut out a word, cut it out, 05 Apr 2008
The title I have used is the third of George Orwell's "six elementary rules" to writing good English. These six rules still have a prominent place in this book's introduction, although there are now many more, gleaned from and generally attributed to other writers. This, to come to the point immediately, is my only criticism of The Economist's Style Guide. In its ninth edition, it must be more than twice the length of the one I bought in the early 90s (and now lost - probably lent to someone). The extra length detracts, I think, from the clarity of the stylistic advice, confusing it with detail, e.g. distinguishing flaunt from flount, numerous entries on currencies and the writing of nationalities. Much of the detail is relevant only to those writing on global politics and economics, although the core principles apply to everyone writing in the hope of being read, or read with pleasure!

It is perhaps unfair, though, to criticise this book for being too much of a good thing. It purports to be the actual style guide used by The Economist's journalists, and I am sure that that is just what it was (but that the current version is a little longer again). It is particularly good on he differences between American and British English, and how one can find words and expressions that are unobjectionable in both. It is humorously written - although if you want a more humorous differentiation of words you might try that redoubtable (Anglo-?)American Bill Bryson's "Troublesome Words". (Mr Bryson has however given the book a generous commendation, quoted on its back cover.) It is an excellent reference source - although if that is what you are after some of The Economist's other publications will give you much more of the same. It is a great guide to writing in the crisp style that characterises The Economist, although it does not differentiate where it is explaining gramatical correctness from those instances of where it is merely advising an approach (and where others would be equally correct).

This is a great reference book for the wordsmith - I, however, would appreciate an abridged version that presented the core issues with fewer distractions, rather like its earlier editions.



Essential guide, 24 Oct 2007
This is a very useful publication if you are writing, editing or, like me, designing publications. On many subjects it is definitive, others are more subjective and you can make your own determination... the important thing is to have a style guide and follow it consistently. Not only will this lend consistency to your production, it will shortcut many an argument and support your sanity in the face of impending deadlines.

Lives on my desk, not my shelf, 27 Aug 2007
If you're under the impression that the Economist has started giving out fashion advice, then this book is not for you.

If you are reading this review, then I hope you know what a Style Guide is. The Economist has gained a reputation for clear communication, and the Style Guide is part of that.

I'm not a journalist, but writing about financial matters is something I need to do as part of my professional life. Having a single reference that can answer questions like "on-line or online" for me has been very useful.

This is not a book that seeks to debate on the merits of different styles of written prose, but lays out, clearly, the style recommended for those writing for one publication.

The Economist's style isn't always appropriate - in organisations that prefer a "conversational marketing" approach, a more discursive style may be appropriate. However, having a consistent set of ground rules can be useful.

Oh, and the Style Guide not only explains what ground rules are, confirming that my usage was correct, but prevented me from just hyphenating the term in this review.

A must for any bookshelf, 26 Oct 2005
I own 2 editions of this book, the first from 1986.

The later version has more reference material than the first but I was a tad disappointed by the lower quality paper used in this version.

That said, this is a great book for anyone who has to write reports or essays and clarifies many grammatical problems, something to which I am emminently prone.

You will also find this to be a valuable general reference book!

Excellent in what it covers, but..., 22 Oct 2005
Excellent glossaries e.g. of proper names that have changed over recent years (UKraine, not the Ukraine; Beijing, not Peking) and of currencies.

Excellent for pointing out fuzzy thinking in your writing and for exposing the emptiness of certain cliches.

Perfect for journalistic purposes; less exhaustive for academic writing or other formal writing.

Beware: many of the recommendations are Economist house style and are not standard British English (e.g. small capitals for all abbreviations).

You will need Oxford: New Hart's Rules (now contained in the Oxford Style Manual) for a full examination of the punctuation of quotations, since the Guide applies journalistic conventions, in which the standard rules of British English puncutation are often reversed.

Excellent stuff, 17 Jun 2005
This book is the "business" for business students

Sloans students should start here ..., 04 Jul 2002
I found this book early on in my Sloan Masters at LBS. It has a great structure for planning and executing your thesis. It is only a shame that business schools don't give you a reading list that contains "how to be a student" titles. Nevertheless, this is extremely useful as it takes you through proposal, research and writing up stages, even how to use supervisors. I know that my last month writing up my thesis will be a lot easier now I have this helpful text.

Don't write your Dissertation without it !!, 17 Nov 2001
This book takes you through each stage of your dissertation. With ideas for titles, advice on reseach techniques, help with the literature search, and of course valuable information about writing up your dissertation. I'm glad I've got this book to take me step by step when I need the help throughout this stressful time.

A great helping hand!, 08 Oct 2001
This book was excellent for outlining the structure of a dissertation. If you are worried about writing your dissertation this book will help to put your mind at ease. It is a 'must' read for all students in their final year at university!

An absolute MUST for anyone undertaking such a piece of work, 03 Jul 2000
Dissertation Skills for Business and Management Students has proved to be an absolutely invaluable tool throughout every stage of my dissertation, actually motivating me to get started in the first place and providing a constant source of encouragement throughout.

Like many business and management students, I was unclear as to what was involved in producing such an extensive piece of work. This book is the best guide for writing a management dissertation that I have found. The fact that it was published at the end of 1999 also guarantees that it is the most up-to-date guide available - meeting the needs of today's management students for comprehensive and relevant guidelines.

The section on research techniques was particularly useful and gave a real overview as to what was expected. The book is an interesting and easy read, mainly thanks to Brian White's frank and often witty writing style, a welcome change to similar guides available on the market today, which fail to create informative and entertaining reading. Altogether, an absolute MUST for anyone undertaking such a piece of work.

Another good reference guide from the HSE, 14 Feb 2008
This book is mandatory reference material for people involved with electrical safety in the workplace. We use it here at PPL Training for the Part P courses both defined and full scope. For those that are invloved in Part P electrics we would highly recommend this book as reference material for Part P approval vists from Part P competent persons schemes. Teh book is clearly laid out and is not a sparkie read only as other non electrical readers will find it useful.

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 11 Apr 2006
This book was supplied at my recent NEBOSH general certificate course and was invaluable in passing said course.
However its use beyond that has also been invaluable, it gives good clear information on most Health and Safety issues to be found in a manufacturing unit. It is not over complicated by legalise, is written in plan English and has a user-friendly index. If I had a criticism it would be that sometimes a subject is spread through out the book but not sure if you can avoid that.

Great for NEBOSH Certificate Students, 04 Feb 2005
This is a great introduction for anyone to health and safety and is an ideal text for anyone studying the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health. www.SafetyServicesDirect.com

I turned to this book in desperation and wasn't disapointed, 03 Sep 2008
In 5 years of buying books on Amazon this is the only book that I felt I wanted to write a review on.

I've been struggling to create good copy for a web site for some time and in the end I turned to this book in desperation. This book covered everything I needed to know succinctly and clearly. Not only did the book present the principals I needed to understand but each time I turned a page it gave me yet more ideas to implement immediately in my copy.

To sum it up this book felt like someone had handed me a Sat Nav whilst I was lost in a blizzard.

A brilliant guide to making your words work hard, 20 Jun 2008
I loved this book by Andy Maslen. It is the most practical, helpful, doable guide to persuasive writing that I have ever read. It is packed with exercises that you can apply directly to what you have written that will improve your copy dramatically. It is a very easy read and can be used as a working manual. Should you buy it? - it is a no brainer - order it now!

Presses all the "write" buttons, 19 May 2008
I have read a lot about copywriting and taken a course in it. Whether you are an aspiring copywriter or a more experienced one, "The Ultimate Guide..." must rank as a must have in your library. It is easy to read, very comprehensive and has just a dash of humour.

Andy Maslen has identified the most important aspects of good copywriting and laid them out in an entertaining and easy to understand way. Chapters 13, "The black arts", and 14, "Why your sales copy should be like a bowl of Rice Krispies", stand out for as particularly useful to me, but the book is (copywriting cliche coming up) packed full of useful tips and techniques.

An index would have been useful, but the book is concise and clearly laid out so this does not detract significantly.

BRILLIANT! , 08 May 2008
This is quite simply the best book I have come across on writing sales and markeing copy. The author provides plain but highly effective advice on making your copy sell, sell, sell!

best business book I've read in months, 22 Apr 2008
Andy's book is exceptional - not only is it terrific to read
(obvious I know but worth saying) it has helped guide me like no other. And even more importantly it will help me to help my clients. A must-have.


A practical, easy-to-use resource for minute-taking, 23 Jan 2007
The unsung hero of any corporate meeting is the minute-taker, quietly and diligently recording the decisions, big and small, that fuel the engines of business. Minute-taking is not simply the process of scribbling notes on a pad. A skilled minute-taker distills lengthy discussions down to their essential messages, and creates order and harmony from the often discordant process of reaching a consensus. Office communication consultant Joanna Gutmann carefully explains every aspect of the process, from setting up the meeting and distributing the agenda to taking notes and formatting the minutes. You will encounter quite a bit of redundancy if you read the book cover-to-cover, but we believe you will find it to be an indispensable reference if you are assigned to take the minutes.

Fantastic Step-By-Step Guide, 19 Sep 2003
I have a new job where I am required to take minutes of meetings. I've never taken minutes before in my life. I bought this book in my hour of need. It is fantastic! It takes you through the process step-by-step offering advice in plain English.

I have taken a few meetings now and everyone is shocked at my ability - they all think I've been minuting for years!

Highly recommended!

Great value for money, 17 May 2003
Saved a fortune with this easy step by step guides. Local training centre was offering tuition at high cost.
Very convenient to teach yourself to achieve great proffessional results. Ideal for first time readers. Now I can up-date my CV

If it is possible to cut out a word, cut it out, 05 Apr 2008
The title I have used is the third of George Orwell's "six elementary rules" to writing good English. These six rules still have a prominent place in this book's introduction, although there are now many more, gleaned from and generally attributed to other writers. This, to come to the point immediately, is my only criticism of The Economist's Style Guide. In its ninth edition, it must be more than twice the length of the one I bought in the early 90s (and now lost - probably lent to someone). The extra length detracts, I think, from the clarity of the stylistic advice, confusing it with detail, e.g. distinguishing flaunt from flount, numerous entries on currencies and the writing of nationalities. Much of the detail is relevant only to those writing on global politics and economics, although the core principles apply to everyone writing in the hope of being read, or read with pleasure!

It is perhaps unfair, though, to criticise this book for being too much of a good thing. It purports to be the actual style guide used by The Economist's journalists, and I am sure that that is just what it was (but that the current version is a little longer again). It is particularly good on he differences between American and British English, and how one can find words and expressions that are unobjectionable in both. It is humorously written - although if you want a more humorous differentiation of words you might try that redoubtable (Anglo-?)American Bill Bryson's "Troublesome Words". (Mr Bryson has however given the book a generous commendation, quoted on its back cover.) It is an excellent reference source - although if that is what you are after some of The Economist's other publications will give you much more of the same. It is a great guide to writing in the crisp style that characterises The Economist, although it does not differentiate where it is explaining gramatical correctness from those instances of where it is merely advising an approach (and where others would be equally correct).

This is a great reference book for the wordsmith - I, however, would appreciate an abridged version that presented the core issues with fewer distractions, rather like its earlier editions.



Essential guide, 24 Oct 2007
This is a very useful publication if you are writing, editing or, like me, designing publications. On many subjects it is definitive, others are more subjective and you can make your own determination... the important thing is to have a style guide and follow it consistently. Not only will this lend consistency to your production, it will shortcut many an argument and support your sanity in the face of impending deadlines.

Lives on my desk, not my shelf, 27 Aug 2007
If you're under the impression that the Economist has started giving out fashion advice, then this book is not for you.

If you are reading this review, then I hope you know what a Style Guide is. The Economist has gained a reputation for clear communication, and the Style Guide is part of that.

I'm not a journalist, but writing about financial matters is something I need to do as part of my professional life. Having a single reference that can answer questions like "on-line or online" for me has been very useful.

This is not a book that seeks to debate on the merits of different styles of written prose, but lays out, clearly, the style recommended for those writing for one publication.

The Economist's style isn't always appropriate - in organisations that prefer a "conversational marketing" approach, a more discursive style may be appropriate. However, having a consistent set of ground rules can be useful.

Oh, and the Style Guide not only explains what ground rules are, confirming that my usage was correct, but prevented me from just hyphenating the term in this review.

A must for any bookshelf, 26 Oct 2005
I own 2 editions of this book, the first from 1986.

The later version has more reference material than the first but I was a tad disappointed by the lower quality paper used in this version.

That said, this is a great book for anyone who has to write reports or essays and clarifies many grammatical problems, something to which I am emminently prone.

You will also find this to be a valuable general reference book!

Excellent in what it covers, but..., 22 Oct 2005
Excellent glossaries e.g. of proper names that have changed over recent years (UKraine, not the Ukraine; Beijing, not Peking) and of currencies.

Excellent for pointing out fuzzy thinking in your writing and for exposing the emptiness of certain cliches.

Perfect for journalistic purposes; less exhaustive for academic writing or other formal writing.

Beware: many of the recommendations are Economist house style and are not standard British English (e.g. small capitals for all abbreviations).

You will need Oxford: New Hart's Rules (now contained in the Oxford Style Manual) for a full examination of the punctuation of quotations, since the Guide applies journalistic conventions, in which the standard rules of British English puncutation are often reversed.

Excellent stuff, 17 Jun 2005
This book is the "business" for business students

Sloans students should start here ..., 04 Jul 2002
I found this book early on in my Sloan Masters at LBS. It has a great structure for planning and executing your thesis. It is only a shame that business schools don't give you a reading list that contains "how to be a student" titles. Nevertheless, this is extremely useful as it takes you through proposal, research and writing up stages, even how to use supervisors. I know that my last month writing up my thesis will be a lot easier now I have this helpful text.

Don't write your Dissertation without it !!, 17 Nov 2001
This book takes you through each stage of your dissertation. With ideas for titles, advice on reseach techniques, help with the literature search, and of course valuable information about writing up your dissertation. I'm glad I've got this book to take me step by step when I need the help throughout this stressful time.

A great helping hand!, 08 Oct 2001
This book was excellent for outlining the structure of a dissertation. If you are worried about writing your dissertation this book will help to put your mind at ease. It is a 'must' read for all students in their final year at university!

An absolute MUST for anyone undertaking such a piece of work, 03 Jul 2000
Dissertation Skills for Business and Management Students has proved to be an absolutely invaluable tool throughout every stage of my dissertation, actually motivating me to get started in the first place and providing a constant source of encouragement throughout.

Like many business and management students, I was unclear as to what was involved in producing such an extensive piece of work. This book is the best guide for writing a management dissertation that I have found. The fact that it was published at the end of 1999 also guarantees that it is the most up-to-date guide available - meeting the needs of today's management students for comprehensive and relevant guidelines.

The section on research techniques was particularly useful and gave a real overview as to what was expected. The book is an interesting and easy read, mainly thanks to Brian White's frank and often witty writing style, a welcome change to similar guides available on the market today, which fail to create informative and entertaining reading. Altogether, an absolute MUST for anyone undertaking such a piece of work.

It did the job..., 20 Sep 2008
I bought this prior to doing the test - and passed first time! Essential reading.

A must-have for M&E designers taking the CSCS card test, 30 Dec 2007
The CSCS card test for the Professionally Qualified Person - Design, includes questions on highway works, scaffold erection, and demolition. So if you're a building services design engineer, you are unlikely to answer those questions without having read this book beforehand.

Another good reference guide from the HSE, 14 Feb 2008
This book is mandatory reference material for people involved with electrical safety in the workplace. We use it here at PPL Training for the Part P courses both defined and full scope. For those that are invloved in Part P electrics we would highly recommend this book as reference material for Part P approval vists from Part P competent persons schemes. Teh book is clearly laid out and is not a sparkie read only as other non electrical readers will find it useful.

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 11 Apr 2006
This book was supplied at my recent NEBOSH general certificate course and was invaluable in passing said course.
However its use beyond that has also been invaluable, it gives good clear information on most Health and Safety issues to be found in a manufacturing unit. It is not over complicated by legalise, is written in plan English and has a user-friendly index. If I had a criticism it would be that sometimes a subject is spread through out the book but not sure if you can avoid that.

Great for NEBOSH Certificate Students, 04 Feb 2005
This is a great introduction for anyone to health and safety and is an ideal text for anyone studying the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health. www.SafetyServicesDirect.com

I turned to this book in desperation and wasn't disapointed, 03 Sep 2008
In 5 years of buying books on Amazon this is the only book that I felt I wanted to write a review on.

I've been struggling to create good copy for a web site for some time and in the end I turned to this book in desperation. This book covered everything I needed to know succinctly and clearly. Not only did the book present the principals I needed to understand but each time I turned a page it gave me yet more ideas to implement immediately in my copy.

To sum it up this book felt like someone had handed me a Sat Nav whilst I was lost in a blizzard.

A brilliant guide to making your words work hard, 20 Jun 2008
I loved this book by Andy Maslen. It is the most practical, helpful, doable guide to persuasive writing that I have ever read. It is packed with exercises that you can apply directly to what you have written that will improve your copy dramatically. It is a very easy read and can be used as a working manual. Should you buy it? - it is a no brainer - order it now!

Presses all the "write" buttons, 19 May 2008
I have read a lot about copywriting and taken a course in it. Whether you are an aspiring copywriter or a more experienced one, "The Ultimate Guide..." must rank as a must have in your library. It is easy to read, very comprehensive and has just a dash of humour.

Andy Maslen has identified the most important aspects of good copywriting and laid them out in an entertaining and easy to understand way. Chapters 13, "The black arts", and 14, "Why your sales copy should be like a bowl of Rice Krispies", stand out for as particularly useful to me, but the book is (copywriting cliche coming up) packed full of useful tips and techniques.

An index would have been useful, but the book is concise and clearly laid out so this does not detract significantly.

BRILLIANT! , 08 May 2008
This is quite simply the best book I have come across on writing sales and markeing copy. The author provides plain but highly effective advice on making your copy sell, sell, sell!

best business book I've read in months, 22 Apr 2008
Andy's book is exceptional - not only is it terrific to read
(obvious I know but worth saying) it has helped guide me like no other. And even more importantly it will help me to help my clients. A must-have.


A practical, easy-to-use resource for minute-taking, 23 Jan 2007
The unsung hero of any corporate meeting is the minute-taker, quietly and diligently recording the decisions, big and small, that fuel the engines of business. Minute-taking is not simply the process of scribbling notes on a pad. A skilled minute-taker distills lengthy discussions down to their essential messages, and creates order and harmony from the often discordant process of reaching a consensus. Office communication consultant Joanna Gutmann carefully explains every aspect of the process, from setting up the meeting and distributing the agenda to taking notes and formatting the minutes. You will encounter quite a bit of redundancy if you read the book cover-to-cover, but we believe you will find it to be an indispensable reference if you are assigned to take the minutes.

Fantastic Step-By-Step Guide, 19 Sep 2003
I have a new job where I am required to take minutes of meetings. I've never taken minutes before in my life. I bought this book in my hour of need. It is fantastic! It takes you through the process step-by-step offering advice in plain English.

I have taken a few meetings now and everyone is shocked at my ability - they all think I've been minuting for years!

Highly recommended!

Great value for money, 17 May 2003
Saved a fortune with this easy step by step guides. Local training centre was offering tuition at high cost.
Very convenient to teach yourself to achieve great proffessional results. Ideal for first time readers. Now I can up-date my CV

If it is possible to cut out a word, cut it out, 05 Apr 2008
The title I have used is the third of George Orwell's "six elementary rules" to writing good English. These six rules still have a prominent place in this book's introduction, although there are now many more, gleaned from and generally attributed to other writers. This, to come to the point immediately, is my only criticism of The Economist's Style Guide. In its ninth edition, it must be more than twice the length of the one I bought in the early 90s (and now lost - probably lent to someone). The extra length detracts, I think, from the clarity of the stylistic advice, confusing it with detail, e.g. distinguishing flaunt from flount, numerous entries on currencies and the writing of nationalities. Much of the detail is relevant only to those writing on global politics and economics, although the core principles apply to everyone writing in the hope of being read, or read with pleasure!

It is perhaps unfair, though, to criticise this book for being too much of a good thing. It purports to be the actual style guide used by The Economist's journalists, and I am sure that that is just what it was (but that the current version is a little longer again). It is particularly good on he differences between American and British English, and how one can find words and expressions that are unobjectionable in both. It is humorously written - although if you want a more humorous differentiation of words you might try that redoubtable (Anglo-?)American Bill Bryson's "Troublesome Words". (Mr Bryson has however given the book a generous commendation, quoted on its back cover.) It is an excellent reference source - although if that is what you are after some of The Economist's other publications will give you much more of the same. It is a great guide to writing in the crisp style that characterises The Economist, although it does not differentiate where it is explaining gramatical correctness from those instances of where it is merely advising an approach (and where others would be equally correct).

This is a great reference book for the wordsmith - I, however, would appreciate an abridged version that presented the core issues with fewer distractions, rather like its earlier editions.



Essential guide, 24 Oct 2007
This is a very useful publication if you are writing, editing or, like me, designing publications. On many subjects it is definitive, others are more subjective and you can make your own determination... the important thing is to have a style guide and follow it consistently. Not only will this lend consistency to your production, it will shortcut many an argument and support your sanity in the face of impending deadlines.

Lives on my desk, not my shelf, 27 Aug 2007
If you're under the impression that the Economist has started giving out fashion advice, then this book is not for you.

If you are reading this review, then I hope you know what a Style Guide is. The Economist has gained a reputation for clear communication, and the Style Guide is part of that.

I'm not a journalist, but writing about financial matters is something I need to do as part of my professional life. Having a single reference that can answer questions like "on-line or online" for me has been very useful.

This is not a book that seeks to debate on the merits of different styles of written prose, but lays out, clearly, the style recommended for those writing for one publication.

The Economist's style isn't always appropriate - in organisations that prefer a "conversational marketing" approach, a more discursive style may be appropriate. However, having a consistent set of ground rules can be useful.

Oh, and the Style Guide not only explains what ground rules are, confirming that my usage was correct, but prevented me from just hyphenating the term in this review.

A must for any bookshelf, 26 Oct 2005
I own 2 editions of this book, the first from 1986.

The later version has more reference material than the first but I was a tad disappointed by the lower quality paper used in this version.

That said, this is a great book for anyone who has to write reports or essays and clarifies many grammatical problems, something to which I am emminently prone.

You will also find this to be a valuable general reference book!

Excellent in what it covers, but..., 22 Oct 2005
Excellent glossaries e.g. of proper names that have changed over recent years (UKraine, not the Ukraine; Beijing, not Peking) and of currencies.

Excellent for pointing out fuzzy thinking in your writing and for exposing the emptiness of certain cliches.

Perfect for journalistic purposes; less exhaustive for academic writing or other formal writing.

Beware: many of the recommendations are Economist house style and are not standard British English (e.g. small capitals for all abbreviations).

You will need Oxford: New Hart's Rules (now contained in the Oxford Style Manual) for a full examination of the punctuation of quotations, since the Guide applies journalistic conventions, in which the standard rules of British English puncutation are often reversed.

Excellent stuff, 17 Jun 2005
This book is the "business" for business students

Sloans students should start here ..., 04 Jul 2002
I found this book early on in my Sloan Masters at LBS. It has a great structure for planning and executing your thesis. It is only a shame that business schools don't give you a reading list that contains "how to be a student" titles. Nevertheless, this is extremely useful as it takes you through proposal, research and writing up stages, even how to use supervisors. I know that my last month writing up my thesis will be a lot easier now I have this helpful text.

Don't write your Dissertation without it !!, 17 Nov 2001
This book takes you through each stage of your dissertation. With ideas for titles, advice on reseach techniques, help with the literature search, and of course valuable information about writing up your dissertation. I'm glad I've got this book to take me step by step when I need the help throughout this stressful time.

A great helping hand!, 08 Oct 2001
This book was excellent for outlining the structure of a dissertation. If you are worried about writing your dissertation this book will help to put your mind at ease. It is a 'must' read for all students in their final year at university!

An absolute MUST for anyone undertaking such a piece of work, 03 Jul 2000
Dissertation Skills for Business and Management Students has proved to be an absolutely invaluable tool throughout every stage of my dissertation, actually motivating me to get started in the first place and providing a constant source of encouragement throughout.

Like many business and management students, I was unclear as to what was involved in producing such an extensive piece of work. This book is the best guide for writing a management dissertation that I have found. The fact that it was published at the end of 1999 also guarantees that it is the most up-to-date guide available - meeting the needs of today's management students for comprehensive and relevant guidelines.

The section on research techniques was particularly useful and gave a real overview as to what was expected. The book is an interesting and easy read, mainly thanks to Brian White's frank and often witty writing style, a welcome change to similar guides available on the market today, which fail to create informative and entertaining reading. Altogether, an absolute MUST for anyone undertaking such a piece of work.

It did the job..., 20 Sep 2008
I bought this prior to doing the test - and passed first time! Essential reading.

A must-have for M&E designers taking the CSCS card test, 30 Dec 2007
The CSCS card test for the Professionally Qualified Person - Design, includes questions on highway works, scaffold erection, and demolition. So if you're a building services design engineer, you are unlikely to answer those questions without having read this book beforehand.

Excellent!, 16 Mar 2002
I started Teeline last November in an evening class and our teacher uses this book to teach us. It's great to learn and I think I could have nearly managed without the teacher sometimes ... Every now and then a short form which we haven't learnt yet is thrown in a piece, which can be the only confusing bit for someone learning on their own.
I've also bought the 'Teeline Word List' and the 'Teeline Word Groupings' which are essential once all the theory is learnt and help build up speed.

Great book for the first time teeline learner, 05 Feb 2001
It guides you through how to write teeline step by step. It has small excercises after each theory to use what you just learnt. Great book for a teeline beginner. After practicing using this book, I could manage 50-60 words per minutes.

Another good reference guide from the HSE, 14 Feb 2008
This book is mandatory reference material for people involved with electrical safety in the workplace. We use it here at PPL Training for the Part P courses both defined and full scope. For those that are invloved in Part P electrics we would highly recommend this book as reference material for Part P approval vists from Part P competent persons schemes. Teh book is clearly laid out and is not a sparkie read only as other non electrical readers will find it useful.

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 11 Apr 2006
This book was supplied at my recent NEBOSH general certificate course and was invaluable in passing said course.
However its use beyond that has also been invaluable, it gives good clear information on most Health and Safety issues to be found in a manufacturing unit. It is not over complicated by legalise, is written in plan English and has a user-friendly index. If I had a criticism it would be that sometimes a subject is spread through out the book but not sure if you can avoid that.

Great for NEBOSH Certificate Students, 04 Feb 2005
This is a great introduction for anyone to health and safety and is an ideal text for anyone studying the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health. www.SafetyServicesDirect.com

I turned to this book in desperation and wasn't disapointed, 03 Sep 2008
In 5 years of buying books on Amazon this is the only book that I felt I wanted to write a review on.

I've been struggling to create good copy for a web site for some time and in the end I turned to this book in desperation. This book covered everything I needed to know succinctly and clearly. Not only did the book present the principals I needed to understand but each time I turned a page it gave me yet more ideas to implement immediately in my copy.

To sum it up this book felt like someone had handed me a Sat Nav whilst I was lost in a blizzard.

A brilliant guide to making your words work hard, 20 Jun 2008
I loved this book by Andy Maslen. It is the most practical, helpful, doable guide to persuasive writing that I have ever read. It is packed with exercises that you can apply directly to what you have written that will improve your copy dramatically. It is a very easy read and can be used as a working manual. Should you buy it? - it is a no brainer - order it now!

Presses all the "write" buttons, 19 May 2008
I have read a lot about copywriting and taken a course in it. Whether you are an aspiring copywriter or a more experienced one, "The Ultimate Guide..." must rank as a must have in your library. It is easy to read, very comprehensive and has just a dash of humour.

Andy Maslen has identified the most important aspects of good copywriting and laid them out in an entertaining and easy to understand way. Chapters 13, "The black arts", and 14, "Why your sales copy should be like a bowl of Rice Krispies", stand out for as particularly useful to me, but the book is (copywriting cliche coming up) packed full of useful tips and techniques.

An index would have been useful, but the book is concise and clearly laid out so this does not detract significantly.

BRILLIANT! , 08 May 2008
This is quite simply the best book I have come across on writing sales and markeing copy. The author provides plain but highly effective advice on making your copy sell, sell, sell!

best business book I've read in months, 22 Apr 2008
Andy's book is exceptional - not only is it terrific to read
(obvious I know but worth saying) it has helped guide me like no other. And even more importantly it will help me to help my clients. A must-have.


A practical, easy-to-use resource for minute-taking, 23 Jan 2007
The unsung hero of any corporate meeting is the minute-taker, quietly and diligently recording the decisions, big and small, that fuel the engines of business. Minute-taking is not simply the process of scribbling notes on a pad. A skilled minute-taker distills lengthy discussions down to their essential messages, and creates order and harmony from the often discordant process of reaching a consensus. Office communication consultant Joanna Gutmann carefully explains every aspect of the process, from setting up the meeting and distributing the agenda to taking notes and formatting the minutes. You will encounter quite a bit of redundancy if you read the book cover-to-cover, but we believe you will find it to be an indispensable reference if you are assigned to take the minutes.

Fantastic Step-By-Step Guide, 19 Sep 2003
I have a new job where I am required to take minutes of meetings. I've never taken minutes before in my life. I bought this book in my hour of need. It is fantastic! It takes you through the process step-by-step offering advice in plain English.

I have taken a few meetings now and everyone is shocked at my ability - they all think I've been minuting for years!

Highly recommended!

Great value for money, 17 May 2003
Saved a fortune with this easy step by step guides. Local training centre was offering tuition at high cost.
Very convenient to teach yourself to achieve great proffessional results. Ideal for first time readers. Now I can up-date my CV

If it is possible to cut out a word, cut it out, 05 Apr 2008
The title I have used is the third of George Orwell's "six elementary rules" to writing good English. These six rules still have a prominent place in this book's introduction, although there are now many more, gleaned from and generally attributed to other writers. This, to come to the point immediately, is my only criticism of The Economist's Style Guide. In its ninth edition, it must be more than twice the length of the one I bought in the early 90s (and now lost - probably lent to someone). The extra length detracts, I think, from the clarity of the stylistic advice, confusing it with detail, e.g. distinguishing flaunt from flount, numerous entries on currencies and the writing of nationalities. Much of the detail is relevant only to those writing on global politics and economics, although the core principles apply to everyone writing in the hope of being read, or read with pleasure!

It is perhaps unfair, though, to criticise this book for being too much of a good thing. It purports to be the actual style guide used by The Economist's journalists, and I am sure that that is just what it was (but that the current version is a little longer again). It is particularly good on he differences between American and British English, and how one can find words and expressions that are unobjectionable in both. It is humorously written - although if you want a more humorous differentiation of words you might try that redoubtable (Anglo-?)American Bill Bryson's "Troublesome Words". (Mr Bryson has however given the book a generous commendation, quoted on its back cover.) It is an excellent reference source - although if that is what you are after some of The Economist's other publications will give you much more of the same. It is a great guide to writing in the crisp style that characterises The Economist, although it does not differentiate where it is explaining gramatical correctness from those instances of where it is merely advising an approach (and where others would be equally correct).

This is a great reference book for the wordsmith - I, however, would appreciate an abridged version that presented the core issues with fewer distractions, rather like its earlier editions.



Essential guide, 24 Oct 2007
This is a very useful publication if you are writing, editing or, like me, designing publications. On many subjects it is definitive, others are more subjective and you can make your own determination... the important thing is to have a style guide and follow it consistently. Not only will this lend consistency to your production, it will shortcut many an argument and support your sanity in the face of impending deadlines.

Lives on my desk, not my shelf, 27 Aug 2007
If you're under the impression that the Economist has started giving out fashion advice, then this book is not for you.

If you are reading this review, then I hope you know what a Style Guide is. The Economist has gained a reputation for clear communication, and the Style Guide is part of that.

I'm not a journalist, but writing about financial matters is something I need to do as part of my professional life. Having a single reference that can answer questions like "on-line or online" for me has been very useful.

This is not a book that seeks to debate on the merits of different styles of written prose, but lays out, clearly, the style recommended for those writing for one publication.

The Economist's style isn't always appropriate - in organisations that prefer a "conversational marketing" approach, a more discursive style may be appropriate. However, having a consistent set of ground rules can be useful.

Oh, and the Style Guide not only explains what ground rules are, confirming that my usage was correct, but prevented me from just hyphenating the term in this review.

A must for any bookshelf, 26 Oct 2005
I own 2 editions of this book, the first from 1986.

The later version has more reference material than the first but I was a tad disappointed by the lower quality paper used in this version.

That said, this is a great book for anyone who has to write reports or essays and clarifies many grammatical problems, something to which I am emminently prone.

You will also find this to be a valuable general reference book!

Excellent in what it covers, but..., 22 Oct 2005
Excellent glossaries e.g. of proper names that have changed over recent years (UKraine, not the Ukraine; Beijing, not Peking) and of currencies.

Excellent for pointing out fuzzy thinking in your writing and for exposing the emptiness of certain cliches.

Perfect for journalistic purposes; less exhaustive for academic writing or other formal writing.

Beware: many of the recommendations are Economist house style and are not standard British English (e.g. small capitals for all abbreviations).

You will need Oxford: New Hart's Rules (now contained in the Oxford Style Manual) for a full examination of the punctuation of quotations, since the Guide applies journalistic conventions, in which the standard rules of British English puncutation are often reversed.

Excellent stuff, 17 Jun 2005
This book is the "business" for business students

Sloans students should start here ..., 04 Jul 2002
I found this book early on in my Sloan Masters at LBS. It has a great structure for planning and executing your thesis. It is only a shame that business schools don't give you a reading list that contains "how to be a student" titles. Nevertheless, this is extremely useful as it takes you through proposal, research and writing up stages, even how to use supervisors. I know that my last month writing up my thesis will be a lot easier now I have this helpful text.

Don't write your Dissertation without it !!, 17 Nov 2001
This book takes you through each stage of your dissertation. With ideas for titles, advice on reseach techniques, help with the literature search, and of course valuable information about writing up your dissertation. I'm glad I've got this book to take me step by step when I need the help throughout this stressful time.

A great helping hand!, 08 Oct 2001
This book was excellent for outlining the structure of a dissertation. If you are worried about writing your dissertation this book will help to put your mind at ease. It is a 'must' read for all students in their final year at university!

An absolute MUST for anyone undertaking such a piece of work, 03 Jul 2000
Dissertation Skills for Business and Management Students has proved to be an absolutely invaluable tool throughout every stage of my dissertation, actually motivating me to get started in the first place and providing a constant source of encouragement throughout.

Like many business and management students, I was unclear as to what was involved in producing such an extensive piece of work. This book is the best guide for writing a management dissertation that I have found. The fact that it was published at the end of 1999 also guarantees that it is the most up-to-date guide available - meeting the needs of today's management students for comprehensive and relevant guidelines.

The section on research techniques was particularly useful and gave a real overview as to what was expected. The book is an interesting and easy read, mainly thanks to Brian White's frank and often witty writing style, a welcome change to similar guides available on the market today, which fail to create informative and entertaining reading. Altogether, an absolute MUST for anyone undertaking such a piece of work.

It did the job..., 20 Sep 2008
I bought this prior to doing the test - and passed first time! Essential reading.

A must-have for M&E designers taking the CSCS card test, 30 Dec 2007
The CSCS card test for the Professionally Qualified Person - Design, includes questions on highway works, scaffold erection, and demolition. So if you're a building services design engineer, you are unlikely to answer those questions without having read this book beforehand.

Excellent!, 16 Mar 2002
I started Teeline last November in an evening class and our teacher uses this book to teach us. It's great to learn and I think I could have nearly managed without the teacher sometimes ... Every now and then a short form which we haven't learnt yet is thrown in a piece, which can be the only confusing bit for someone learning on their own.
I've also bought the 'Teeline Word List' and the 'Teeline Word Groupings' which are essential once all the theory is learnt and help build up speed.

Great book for the first time teeline learner, 05 Feb 2001
It guides you through how to write teeline step by step. It has small excercises after each theory to use what you just learnt. Great book for a teeline beginner. After practicing using this book, I could manage 50-60 words per minutes.

Teeline Gold Course Book, 09 Sep 2004
I thought it was good, the pages are laid out well and the course progresses logically at a good speed. Each lesson builds on the previous one and doesn't introduce too much too quickly. However, it does seem to be aimed at secretaries more than journalists.

Very incitful and easy to learn in a matter of months., 11 Feb 2001
Teeline Gold has helped me learn teeline within a matter of months. Each unit is specified a combination of special outlines and word groupings that makes learn fun and efficient. The content of the book make it easy to follow especially with the answers at the back of the book incase you happen to get stuck and need that little help without going crazy. Although the book is aimed at the business world and not much of the journalistic aspects are covered but it does show you the very simplist of words and how to combine them.