This work catalogues the most common problems that writers face and suggets simple principles for lucid writing. These principles are conveyed by numerous examples which are usually intriguing and often amusing. The boook is designed for easy browsing and comprises 150 independent segments. Punctuation, document design elements, syntax, style conventions, and terms often confused or misused are covered. Other segments deal with areas of special importance to writing about computers.
"How often does a book come along that has you laughing out loud as it improves your writing, especially of technical and scientific material? How often does a book on writing come out aimed at scientists, mathematicians, and computer specialists in the first place? How often does a book on grammar keep you turning the pages from pleasure? Never, you say? Then get this one."
Jef Raskin professional writer and creator of the Apple Macintosh project
"As someone responsible for the creation of numerous bugs, literary and otherwise, I heartily recommend Lyn Dupré's exquisite book: a lucid guide to squishing bugs or, even better, exterminating them before they hatch."
David C. Nagel President, AT&T Labs
"You can borrow my dictionary or steal my thesaurus. Just stay away from my copy of BUGS."
Patrick Henry Winston Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"The quality of scientific and technical writing would increase considerably if this book were required reading for all authors."
The Mathematica Journal "Lyn's style is wonderful: humorous, enjoyable, and incisive. I even liked the plot."
Peter G. Neumann author of the Dupréved Computer-Related Risks
"Those of us who have worked with Lyn Dupré treasure her keen wit, and, above all, her absolute mastery of writing."
Carver Mead California Institute of Technology
"BUGS in Writing deserves to become a standard. If technical writing isn't your principal activity, but you find yourself doing a lot of it, you should read this book."
IEEE Micro "This book will help me/you/we a lot/immensely."
Martin Griss Laboratory Scientist and Reuse Rabbi, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories
"Lyn combines an intellectual command of her subject with a madcap imagination to take you on a joyous romp through the English language."
Abraham Silberschatz Lucent Technologies
"I just received a copy of BUGS in Writing, which I think is wonderful. (Reading this sentence again, I realize it is ambiguous; but both its interpretations are true. It is also passive, but since the package was waiting for me when I returned from a trip, it is hard to know just who brought it.)...BUGS will certainly be at my fingertips during the final rewrites.
Andrew Koenig author of C Traps and Pitfalls and coauthor of Ruminations on C++
"I highly recommend BUGS in Writing, by Dupré. It makes an excellent companion to Strunk & White and the Harbrace College Handbook."
Martin D. Carroll coauthor of Designing and Coding Reusable C++
A "superior" alternative to Strunk and White.
Computing Reviews "This book simply sneaks up like a cat and charms you."
Kitta Reeds SRI International
"Having the examples weave their own story is an outstanding device. Our brains must be wired for learning from stories."
Bruce R. Montague University of California, Santa Cruz
"Ultimately, it is the playfulness and humor of the author that encourages me to keep this book on my working shelf. I wish I'd had Lyn Dupré as my fifth-grade English teacher."
ANPA West Journal "An earful of bugs that will learn you right from wrong."
Dick Lyon hearing researcher, Caltech, and Senior Scientist, Foveonics, Inc.
"It's hard to describe how easy it is to read this book, except to say that it's the first style book that I have ever read entirely, and for pleasure."
Ellen Levy Finch Expert Support, Inc.
"An indispensible 'bible' for those who believe that clarity and good writing are the key to conveying any message effectively."
Edward H. Shortliffe, MD, PhD Professor and Associate Dean, Stanford University
"Even my cats seemed to like the book."
Denbigh Starkey Montana State University Like a deft and brilliant surgeon Lyn takes your mangled manuscript And dexterously cuts away Those dangling participles Those split infinitives Those fatty adjectives And returns to you An (almost) perfect body Of your work (Marred by only a few Feline paw prints). Lightning quick of mind Motion sure and filled with grace Weapon poised With sharp and blackened point She pounces! Leaps upon her prey! Death to the fractured words The split infinitive The dangling participle! The body stirs at last Returns to life Strengthened, renewed, And ready for The publisher. oTrish Hooper
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