Best book on American Usage

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Hello, I would like to pose a question.What is, among the most recent books on American usage, the best one according to you?These are the ones I heard of:"Garner's Modern American Usage" by Bryan A. Garner"The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style" by Bryan A. Garner"The American Heritage Book of English Usage" by The Editors of The American Heritage Dictionaries"Penguin Dictionary of American English Usage and Style" by Paul W. Lovinger"The Columbia Guide to Standard American English" by Kenneth G. Wilson"The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage" by Allan M. Siegal and William G. Connolly"Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage""The Chicago Manual of Style" by The University of Chicago Press StaffI have included in this list also style guides because I think that the concept of style is quite similar to the concept of usage: the one implies the other, and vice versa, right? But I am not sure that a book which in its title refers only about style, like "The Chicago Manual of Style" would cover all the usage-related entries that a book explicitly referring in its title to usage does. Am I right? So my question could be as well: what is the best book on American usage, and which one is the best on style from an American English perspective?I would also appreciate if you share your thought (like providing capsule reviews) about the books I have mentioned in case you read (or browsed) them, besides recommending the best ones.In case I forgot a recent notice-worthy work feel free to mention it.By the way, I also would like to know if the books that I have mentioned are also written in* American English besides being *on American English. For example, one could wonder if the "Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style", having being published by a British publisher is also referred to a British readership, featuring entries that explain in British English how American English works. I do not think this is our case, as the author of this Oxford's guide is Garner, which if I'm not mistaken is an American scholar. However I liked to raise the question.Thank you very much and excuse my poor English, I am not a native speaker.Achab

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[nq:1]Hello, I would like to pose a question. What is, among the most recent books on American usage, the best one according to you? These are the ones I heard of: "Garner's Modern American Usage" by Bryan A. Garner[/nq]
This is good, but Garner has a tendency to dictate usages rather than weigh alternatives.
[nq:1]"The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style" by Bryan A. Garner[/nq]
Shorter version of the previous one. Although it's published by Oxford, this book is American in both coverage and prose style. If you're going to get a Garner book, get "Modern American Usage." I'm sure it's available used on the Internet.
[nq:1]"The American Heritage Book of English Usage" by The Editors of The American Heritage Dictionaries[/nq]
Generally quite good.
[nq:1]"Penguin Dictionary of American English Usage and Style" by Paul W. Lovinger[/nq]
I have this one but don't use it very much. I think it's redundant if you have other, better books.
[nq:1]"The Columbia Guide to Standard American English" by Kenneth G. Wilson[/nq]
This one is online, I believe. I find it a bit old-fashioned.
[nq:1]"The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage" by Allan M. Siegal and William G. Connolly[/nq]
I know of this one but don't have a copy.
[nq:1]"Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage"[/nq]
I consider this by far the best usage book. It deals with usage as usage actually is and offers very useful recommendations. It is starting to get just a bit old (published 1986), but it still covers most of the important usage questions.
[nq:1]"The Chicago Manual of Style" by The University of Chicago Press Staff[/nq]
I don't have this one.
[nq:1]I have included in this list also style guides because I think that the concept of style is quite similar to the concept of usage: the one implies the other, and vice versa, right?[/nq]
Not exactly. "Usage" has mainly to do with making choices that conform to the idiom of the language. "Style" is how you go about effectively using idiomatic language to persuade and entertain. Poor usage will impair your style, and poor style will make good usage irrelevant.
[nq:1]But I am not sure that a book which in its title refers only about style, like "The Chicago Manual of Style" would cover all the usage-related entries that a book explicitly referring in its title to usage does. Am I right?[/nq]
There is a difference, and I think your description is fairly accurate. Others may disagree, however.
[nq:1]So my question could be as well: what is the best book on American usage, and which one is the best on style from an American English perspective?[/nq]
Usage is easy: Merriam-Webster. That's a personal opinion, but I've read almost the entire book and can vouch for it personally. Style is a much tougher question. You might want to get the latest edition of "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser. Some people will undoubtedly recommend "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White. It contains some handy hints but is nowhere near as helpful as some people think. It's worth having as long as you don't overrate it.
[nq:1]I would also appreciate if you share your thought (like providing capsule reviews) about the books I have mentioned in ... to know if the books that I have mentioned are also written in* American English besides being *on American English.[/nq]
To my knowledge, they are all about American English and written in American English.
[nq:1]Thank you very much and excuse my poor English, I am not a native speaker.[/nq]
Your English is excellent. There are minor slips here and there, but I think the average native speaker would be pleased to write as well as you do.

Bob Lieblich
Used to usages

Best book on American Usage

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