Oct. 25, 2010
BOOK NOTES: 'On Writing Well' -- The Iconic Book on Effective Writing -- May Now Have a Rival
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Editor's note: This story contains several abbreviated quotations to support the thesis of the headline. Names and contact information for the persons quoted will be supplied on request. Full quotations can be found on Amazon.com at:
http://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-Approach-Writing-Speaking-Professional/product-reviews/0978924754/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Contact: phil.yaffe@yahoo.com or phil.yaffe@gmail.com
For HNN book critic David M. Kinchen's review of "The Gettysburg Approach to Writing & Speaking Like a Professional, click on: http://archives.huntingtonnews.net/columns/100331-kinchen-columnsbookreview.html
Over the past 35 years, William Zinsser's book On Writing Well has become the indispensable companion for anyone seeking to write more effectively. Since its first publication in 1976, the book has sold nearly 1.5 million copies, with no signs of slowing down.
However The Gettysburg Approach to Writing & Speaking like a Professional by Philip Yaffe, published in March 2010, may be lining up to give it a run for its money. Mr. Yaffe is a mathematician, journalist, and international communication consultant living in Brussels, Belgium.
The 285-page tome already carries a back-cover testimonial from William Blundell, long-time writer and editor with The Wall Street Journal and widely respected writing coach. Blundell says: "You've done an admirable job of dealing with the extremely difficult job of teaching business people how to communicate intelligibly, let alone effectively." In her back-cover testimonial, Mary Jae Klechner, Ph.D. and professor of writing says: "Quite simply, this book is terrific."
The majority of early reviews seem to agree. According to one reviewer, "We have long said that William Zinsser’s On Writing Well is the best guide around for anybody who wants to craft clear, accessible prose. But writer Phillip Yaffe adds quite a bit to the mix."
A second reviewer compares The Gettysburg Approach to another writing classic. "One of my favorite references for writers is The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. I believe Professor Strunk would, if he were alive today, have nice things to say about this book by Philip Yaffe. In fact, Mr. Yaffe espouses the same core concepts of writing. This isn't a remake, however, of The Elements of Style. It's an original work, and it's well done. It's also badly needed in this era of semi-literacy and poor speaking."
A distinguishing characteristic of The Gettysburg Approach is its focus on fundamentals, which the author rigorously separates from tips and techniques.
"Mr. Yaffe feels that the underlying core elements of the discipline of writing have not been sufficiently noticed or taught. Inspired by Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the author sets out to provide for this insufficiency . . . Many of his tips and suggestions will be familiar to serious writers. Other ideas and techniques presented strike the professional and novice like a ray suddenly emerging from behind the clouds."
Another of the book's distinguishing characteristics is how it brings together both writing and public speaking between the same covers.
"The difference between this book and other writing books is that it marries writing and public speaking/giving presentations in a way I haven't seen before. It uses the same prescription (with just a few little tweaks) for writing that it does for public speaking. I plan to use the ideas written out in the book for my next presentation."
"Mr. Yaffe delivers a comprehensive and infinitely helpful guide to assisting people in their writing and speaking skills. It stresses the idea that competence in writing can assist one's speaking skills, and vice versa . . . The book is professional and accurate, but never does it become boring or pretentious. One can read it at once, absorbing all of the information in one sitting, or simply use it as a go-to guide when planning out a piece of writing or a presentation."
A number of reviewers applaud The Gettysburg Approach for going beyond its brief of teaching expository (non-fiction) writing and speaking by also being relevant to creative (non-fiction) writing.
"If you write fiction, non-fiction, speak in public or just want to be a better communicator, I don’t believe you will find a better book for obtaining practical and powerful tools for improving communication."
"This book engaged my interest from the first page. Although it might not be a novel with characters, plot, scenes and dialogue, it will help you learn how to create those scenes, write your news or magazine articles, and come straight to the point. Most important, it will teach you how to get readers, and listeners when giving a speech, to want to read or listen to what you have written or what you are saying."
"The book explains everything you could possibly need to know about writing, both creative and expository. From characters and plots to dialogue and scenes, everything is covered and no stone is left unturned . . . I would definitely recommend this book to all writers and public speakers. There is something to learn for everyone. This is one writing guide that I will be referring to again and again."
"While The Gettysburg Approach is aimed primarily at non-fiction writers and speakers, the fiction writer could glean much that can be applied to teaching workshops at conferences, speaking at events, and writing promotional material. It’s a quick read, but keep a highlighter handy to mark those tips and points you’ll want to come back to when the need arises."
But how does The Gettysburg Approach combine such apparently disparate elements? Numerous reviewers attribute this to its carefully crafted pedagogy.
"The book covers the fundamental skills you need to write (and speak) correctly, so that your meaning is crystal clear to your audience. To help with understanding these fundamentals, there are dozens of examples and exercises. Then a number of speeches and documents are analyzed in detail, so you can learn from practical examples."
"Good writing is always hard work; however, it becomes rather easier when you are clear about what you are trying to achieve. The Gettysburg Approach defines the objectives with almost mathematical rigor."
"The Gettysburg Approach is written in an informal, anecdotal style that distinguishes it from most other writing manuals. It is fun to read and so concisely written that it is probably the only such manual I have read from cover-to-cover."
"Since Mr. Yaffe is a master of the very principles he writes about, the book is a fast read. All of the examples serve to clarify the points, and when you finish reading it, you may never look at writing the same way again."
"If you read only one self-help book this year, I implore you to consider The Gettysburg Approach. It will be indispensable to you, to your writing, and to your speaking."
So what does author Philip Yaffe think about the possibility of rivaling William Zinnser as a writing guru?
"I blush at even being mentioned in the same breath as Prof. Zinsser. His book has stood the test of time (35 years); mine is barely out of the starting gate. Also, we approach communication from rather different starting points. My best hope is that my book may someday stand along side Prof. Zinsser's as a companion piece -- but certainly never as a rival."
About Philip Yaffe
Philip Yaffe was born in Boston in 1942 and grew up in Los Angeles. In 1965 he graduated in mathematics from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), where he was also editor-in-chief of the Daily Bruin, the daily student newspaper.
Mr. Yaffe has more than 40 years of experience in journalism and marketing communication. At various points in his career, he has been a teacher of journalism, a reporter/feature writer with The Wall Street Journal, an account executive with a major international press relations agency, European marketing communication director with two major international companies, and a founding partner of a marketing communication agency in Brussels, Belgium, where he has lived since 1974. Contact: phil.yaffe@yahoo.com or phil.yaffe@gmail.com
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BOOK NOTES: 'On Writing Well' -- The Iconic Book on Effective Writing -- May Now Have a Rival
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Editor's note: This story contains several abbreviated quotations to support the thesis of the headline. Names and contact information for the persons quoted will be supplied on request. Full quotations can be found on Amazon.com at:
http://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-Approach-Writing-Speaking-Professional/product-reviews/0978924754/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Contact: phil.yaffe@yahoo.com or phil.yaffe@gmail.com
For HNN book critic David M. Kinchen's review of "The Gettysburg Approach to Writing & Speaking Like a Professional, click on: http://archives.huntingtonnews.net/columns/100331-kinchen-columnsbookreview.html
Over the past 35 years, William Zinsser's book On Writing Well has become the indispensable companion for anyone seeking to write more effectively. Since its first publication in 1976, the book has sold nearly 1.5 million copies, with no signs of slowing down.
However The Gettysburg Approach to Writing & Speaking like a Professional by Philip Yaffe, published in March 2010, may be lining up to give it a run for its money. Mr. Yaffe is a mathematician, journalist, and international communication consultant living in Brussels, Belgium.
The 285-page tome already carries a back-cover testimonial from William Blundell, long-time writer and editor with The Wall Street Journal and widely respected writing coach. Blundell says: "You've done an admirable job of dealing with the extremely difficult job of teaching business people how to communicate intelligibly, let alone effectively." In her back-cover testimonial, Mary Jae Klechner, Ph.D. and professor of writing says: "Quite simply, this book is terrific."
The majority of early reviews seem to agree. According to one reviewer, "We have long said that William Zinsser’s On Writing Well is the best guide around for anybody who wants to craft clear, accessible prose. But writer Phillip Yaffe adds quite a bit to the mix."
A second reviewer compares The Gettysburg Approach to another writing classic. "One of my favorite references for writers is The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. I believe Professor Strunk would, if he were alive today, have nice things to say about this book by Philip Yaffe. In fact, Mr. Yaffe espouses the same core concepts of writing. This isn't a remake, however, of The Elements of Style. It's an original work, and it's well done. It's also badly needed in this era of semi-literacy and poor speaking."
A distinguishing characteristic of The Gettysburg Approach is its focus on fundamentals, which the author rigorously separates from tips and techniques.
"Mr. Yaffe feels that the underlying core elements of the discipline of writing have not been sufficiently noticed or taught. Inspired by Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the author sets out to provide for this insufficiency . . . Many of his tips and suggestions will be familiar to serious writers. Other ideas and techniques presented strike the professional and novice like a ray suddenly emerging from behind the clouds."
Another of the book's distinguishing characteristics is how it brings together both writing and public speaking between the same covers.
"The difference between this book and other writing books is that it marries writing and public speaking/giving presentations in a way I haven't seen before. It uses the same prescription (with just a few little tweaks) for writing that it does for public speaking. I plan to use the ideas written out in the book for my next presentation."
"Mr. Yaffe delivers a comprehensive and infinitely helpful guide to assisting people in their writing and speaking skills. It stresses the idea that competence in writing can assist one's speaking skills, and vice versa . . . The book is professional and accurate, but never does it become boring or pretentious. One can read it at once, absorbing all of the information in one sitting, or simply use it as a go-to guide when planning out a piece of writing or a presentation."
A number of reviewers applaud The Gettysburg Approach for going beyond its brief of teaching expository (non-fiction) writing and speaking by also being relevant to creative (non-fiction) writing.
"If you write fiction, non-fiction, speak in public or just want to be a better communicator, I don’t believe you will find a better book for obtaining practical and powerful tools for improving communication."
"This book engaged my interest from the first page. Although it might not be a novel with characters, plot, scenes and dialogue, it will help you learn how to create those scenes, write your news or magazine articles, and come straight to the point. Most important, it will teach you how to get readers, and listeners when giving a speech, to want to read or listen to what you have written or what you are saying."
"The book explains everything you could possibly need to know about writing, both creative and expository. From characters and plots to dialogue and scenes, everything is covered and no stone is left unturned . . . I would definitely recommend this book to all writers and public speakers. There is something to learn for everyone. This is one writing guide that I will be referring to again and again."
"While The Gettysburg Approach is aimed primarily at non-fiction writers and speakers, the fiction writer could glean much that can be applied to teaching workshops at conferences, speaking at events, and writing promotional material. It’s a quick read, but keep a highlighter handy to mark those tips and points you’ll want to come back to when the need arises."
But how does The Gettysburg Approach combine such apparently disparate elements? Numerous reviewers attribute this to its carefully crafted pedagogy.
"The book covers the fundamental skills you need to write (and speak) correctly, so that your meaning is crystal clear to your audience. To help with understanding these fundamentals, there are dozens of examples and exercises. Then a number of speeches and documents are analyzed in detail, so you can learn from practical examples."
"Good writing is always hard work; however, it becomes rather easier when you are clear about what you are trying to achieve. The Gettysburg Approach defines the objectives with almost mathematical rigor."
"The Gettysburg Approach is written in an informal, anecdotal style that distinguishes it from most other writing manuals. It is fun to read and so concisely written that it is probably the only such manual I have read from cover-to-cover."
"Since Mr. Yaffe is a master of the very principles he writes about, the book is a fast read. All of the examples serve to clarify the points, and when you finish reading it, you may never look at writing the same way again."
"If you read only one self-help book this year, I implore you to consider The Gettysburg Approach. It will be indispensable to you, to your writing, and to your speaking."
So what does author Philip Yaffe think about the possibility of rivaling William Zinnser as a writing guru?
"I blush at even being mentioned in the same breath as Prof. Zinsser. His book has stood the test of time (35 years); mine is barely out of the starting gate. Also, we approach communication from rather different starting points. My best hope is that my book may someday stand along side Prof. Zinsser's as a companion piece -- but certainly never as a rival."
About Philip Yaffe
Philip Yaffe was born in Boston in 1942 and grew up in Los Angeles. In 1965 he graduated in mathematics from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), where he was also editor-in-chief of the Daily Bruin, the daily student newspaper.
Mr. Yaffe has more than 40 years of experience in journalism and marketing communication. At various points in his career, he has been a teacher of journalism, a reporter/feature writer with The Wall Street Journal, an account executive with a major international press relations agency, European marketing communication director with two major international companies, and a founding partner of a marketing communication agency in Brussels, Belgium, where he has lived since 1974. Contact: phil.yaffe@yahoo.com or phil.yaffe@gmail.com
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