The Reader's Brain

'There is a lot to like in this book, not least the pragmatic examples, acerbic humor, and insights into why some writing is impenetrable.' Vint Cerf, internet pioneer and Vice President, Google 'Be warned: if you read this book, you'll see how flawed your writing is. But take heart too, because if you follow Douglas' advice, those flaws will start to disappear. Her bracing, mordant and lucid words show that good writing is a skill you can learn - and that the best way to do it is not to defer to grammarians and style gurus but to understand what goes on in the mind of the reader. In other words, you should write to be read. This book offers some of the best advice on writing that I have seen, whether you are writing a legal document or an email to your mother.' Philip Ball, science writer and author of The Music Instinct 'This book is desperately needed across great swaths of corporate America and should be taught at every level from K-12 to graduate schools.' Andrew Hargadon, Soderquist Chair in Entrepreneurship, Graduate School of Management, University of California, Davis There is a lot to like in this book, not least the pragmatic examples, acerbic humor, and insights into why some writing is impenetrable. Vint Cerf, internet pioneer and Vice President, Google Be warned: if you read this book, you'll see how flawed your writing is. But take heart too, because if you follow Douglas' advice, those flaws will start to disappear. Her bracing, mordant and lucid words show that good writing is a skill you can learn - and that the best way to do it is not to defer to grammarians and style gurus but to understand what goes on in the mind of the reader. In other words, you should write to be read. This book offers some of the best advice on writing that I have seen, whether you are writing a legal document or an email to your mother. Philip Ball, science writer and author of The Music Instinct This book is desperately needed across great swaths of corporate America and should be taught at every level from K-12 to graduate schools. Andrew Hargadon, Soderquist Chair in Entrepreneurship, Graduate School of Management, University of California, Davis