Farnsworths Classical English Style, Ward Farnsworth
Farnsworths Classical English Style, Ward Farnsworth
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Farnsworth's Classical English Style

Author: Ward Farnsworth

Narrator: John Lescault

Unabridged: 5 hr 34 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/17/2020


Synopsis

Say it with style―on paper or in person.This book explains why the best writing sounds that way, with hundreds of examples from Lincoln, Churchill, and other masters of the language. Farnsworth shows how small choices about words, sentences, and paragraphs put force into writing and speech that have stood the test of time. This is must for anyone who wants to speak or write with clear, persuasive, enjoyable, unforgettable style.

About Ward Farnsworth

Ward Farnsworth is dean and John Jeffers Research Chair at the University of Texas School of Law. He received his JD with high honors from the University of Chicago Law School, and his BA from Wesleyan University. He is the author of books on law, philosophy, rhetoric, and chess and has published scholarly articles on the economic analysis of law, constitutional law, statutory interpretation, jurisprudence, and cognitive psychology.

About John Lescault

Patrick Cullen (a.k.a. John Lescault), a native of Massachusetts, is a graduate of the Catholic University of America. He lives in Washington, DC, where he works in theater.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Josiah on September 03, 2020

Fantastic work on what excellent English style looks like. Farnsworth's sections on etymology were marvelous, and I loved the plethora of examples from great English-speaking orators throughout the work. Between the advice and examples, it's probably one of my favorite works on English style that I'......more

Goodreads review by Dick on June 27, 2020

An excellent guide for all writers and speakers. When you read this book, you will notice the absence of quotations from anyone within the last 60 years. Rhetoric, writing, grammar, and many similarly out of fashion things used to be taught. Their absence is reflected in the quality of writing and o......more

Goodreads review by Graychin on July 20, 2020

This book joins Farnsworth’s Classical English Rhetoric and Classical English Metaphor on my shelf of prized references. Together they make a strong trilogy. The pleasure of Farnsworth’s books is in the clarity of his distinctions and the quality of the texts he chooses for illustration, mostly draw......more

Goodreads review by Henry on January 25, 2022

Finally a book on style that doesn't just promote simplicity and economy. The use of examples feels overdone but are important in trying to develop the reader's ear and eye to the techniques.......more

Goodreads review by Harry on December 28, 2020

The main argument made in Farnsworth’s Classical English Style is that good writing involves the balancing of contrasts. Many of these contrasts are rhythmic, and one good way to vary rhythmic flow, treated extensively in the first part of Farnsworth’s book, is to set off polysyllabic Latinate words......more


Quotes

“Mr. Farnsworth has written an original and absorbing guide to English style. Get it if you can.” Wall Street Journal

“A storehouse of effective writing, showing the techniques you may freely adapt to make music of your own.” Baltimore Sun

“For writers aspiring to master the craft, Farnsworth shows how it’s done. For lovers of language, he provides waves of sheer pleasure.” Steven Pinker, New York Times bestselling author

“A great and edifying pleasure.” Mark Helprin, New York Times bestselling author

“An eloquent study of the very mechanisms of eloquence.” Henry Hitchings, author of The Language Wars

“His discerning analysis of classical style as wielded by some of the most inspiring writers in English: Jefferson, Lincoln, Churchill, Douglass, and many others.” New Criterion