From the Errors of Others

"From the Errors of Others is a collection of crisp, witty, and slyly informative essays for grownups with a sense of humor. The subject is communication--good, bad, and patently bizarre. The author is Rebecca Lyles, an experienced editor but not a wrist-slapping schoolmarm. Neither giggly nor ponderous, she eagerly tells tales out of school. There are boneheads and blowhards in our midst, she says, but we don't have to take them seriously. And we certainly don't have to imitate them.

From the Errors of Others is a refreshing alternative to those heavy handbooks we never opened in school. It's not only far more entertaining than those dreary tomes, in the end, perhaps surprisingly, it's also much more enlightening. Imagine that: a smart book about writing and speaking effectively that people will actually enjoy reading."

-- Richard Nordquist, PhD.

About.com Grammar and Composition Expert In this comprehensive collection, Lyles teaches how to:

keep a professional tone;

avoid awkward speech habits;

communicate clearly without being pretentious;

detect deception; and

use a writing comfort zone.

A seasoned editor and business manager offers concise essays that humorously explore communication stumbling blocks, reveal common errors, and provide time-tested advice on how to write and speak effectively.