Robert Hartwell Fiske's Dictionary of Unendurable English: A Compendium of Mistakes in Grammar, Usage, and Spelling with commentary on lexicographers and linguists
"Word snobs and copy editors should love [this book]and cherish it as a reference. Those learning English can benefit, too.Folks who think they have English down pat ought to read it. ... This is, of course, a form of knuckle rapping. Fiske, to his credit, makes it a pleasure to endure." -- Andrew Allentuck in theNational Post"Fiske, the language-obsessed creator of online journalThe Vocabula Review, does not mince words. Nor shall I: His dictionary is one of the grumpiest, most self-righteous intellectual exercises I've ever had the genuine pleasure of reading." -- Mia Lipman, Shelfari"[Fiske's] documentation of brand creep is fascinating: Reporters use non-words such as 'alleve' (a misspelled rendering of a commercial analgesic) when they mean to say 'relieve.' 'Abilify' -- an antidepressant -- has been perverted into a synonym for 'enable.'" -- Sheila Anne Feeney,Star-Ledger"A helpful compendium for even the most literate among us, not to mention a refreshingly conservative addition to the increasingly liberal domain of dictionaries, ... [Fiske's book] is a confrontational work challenging the evermore yielding traditions within the discipline of lexicography." --Christina Connolly,Library Journal"Distinguishing between the many guides for writers and speakers of the English language may appear difficult at first glance, but on closer examination of bookstore and library shelves, one at least, Robert Hartwell Fiske's Dictionary of Unendurable English, is notable for the courage of its convictions." -- Mike Nichol,Daily Writing Tips