Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation

Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Eats Shoots and Leaves The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Author: Lynne Truss
ISBN-13: 9781861976772
ISBN-10: 1861976771
Publication Date: 10/24/2005
Pages: 209
Edition: New Ed
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 10
3.7 stars, based on 10 ratings
Publisher: Profile Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

64 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

 Kylee-CT-mom avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 42 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
Yes, that's right, 5 Stars for a book about proper punctuation. I fully expected to get through this book only for my 2008 Challenges. In my mind's eye I saw myself reading a page or two and then falling sound asleep from boredom. I could not have been more wrong.

Not only does Lynne Truss make punctuation interesting, she makes it funny. She knows just were little punctuation puns fit. Who knew there were 17 proper uses for the apostrophe?! There was, at onetime, a movement to have a special mark to indicate a rhetorical question. As is stated on the front flap, "Through sloppy usage and low standards on the Internet, in e-mail, and now "txt msgs", we have made proper punctuation an endangered species." (not to mention proper spelling)

I've given this book 5 Stars not only because I enjoyed it, but because I think all of us who have been out of the classroom for 10 years or more could use a refresher.
mahbaar avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 111 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
I enjoyed reading this book! It definitely made me laugh, since I'm kind of retentive about grammar. I got a little bogged down in the middle, though. Even with her good humor it's hard to keep on reading about punctuation!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 42 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This gave a fun, quirky way to remember punctuation.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
A book for those of us who are sticklers for grammar, spelling and punctuation. The book is okay, but it got a little boring.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
A humorous, interesting, and informative book regarding punctuation and its correct usage. An easy read. Forward by Frank McCourt.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
a witty and historical view of punctuation
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I shared this book with my small circle of friends. The experiment quickly sorted the Anglophobes from the Anglophiles. Beyond that- it's ENGLISH, folks, and it is as fluid and dynamic as any other lingo, but there are certain rules. Puncuation is very important to meaning.
"The crux of the biscuit... is the Apostrophe". - Frank Zappa
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Very funny... for us grammar geeks. :)
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
"This is a book for people who love punctuation and get upset when it is mishandled." It sure is, and I learned that I am not alone.
jeffp avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 201 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
It's been a while since I read this, but it was a fun, rather light hearted grammatical romp.
c-squared avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 181 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Who knew punctuation could be so funny?
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on
Helpful Score: 2
Being trained from an early age to be a stickler for proper grammar and punctuation, I adored this book. This is a whimsical approach to the long lost art of proper punctuation that makes it easy to understand and remember.

However, if the English language is just a means for you to vaguely communicate with others, you may not enjoy it as much as those who are more didactic with their linguistic expressions. =o)
buzzby avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 6062 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Irregardless of your views of English grammar, (its or it's) a good book.
"Includes a limited-edition Punctuation Repair Kit"
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
If you refuse to buy from a store that sells video's and book's or you are bemused by a sign that says "trucks speed too fast when flashing this is the book for you". "Sticklers unite"!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 157 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A clever examination of punctuation with some other aspects of language thrown in. Amusing, interesting, and with a thoughtful ending concerning the internet and language change.
merry5802 avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on
Helpful Score: 1
I got this book on the recomendation of a friend whom was in a PhD program and part of the required reading. Its great for those who write papers and need a refresher on proper grammar.
tish918 avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 88 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderfully witty reminders of the proper use of apostrophes, commas, semi-colons, and all the rest of our fine friends!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 76 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
hilarious. if you are a fussy speller, you will love this book.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I very much enjoyed the "voice" of this author in this book and picked up a few tips on punctuation.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Almost afraid to write a review, for fear I make a typo... This book is a lot of fun to read.
Claudielou avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 77 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Being an English teacher, I thought I would love this book, but it turned out to be tedious and actually boorish. I kept wondering if this author actually had a real life outside of picking apart the punctuation of other writers.
A2JC4life avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book about punctuation is hilarious! If you are type who is driven crazy by signs like "20 items or less," you have got to read this book.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 3563 more book reviews
This impassioned manifesto on punctuation made the best-seller lists in Britain and has followed suit here. Journalist Truss gives full rein to her "inner stickler" in lambasting common grammatical mistakes. Asserting that punctuation "directs you how to read in the way musical notation directs a musician how to play," Truss argues wittily and with gusto for the merits of preserving the apostrophe, using commas correctly, and resurrecting the proper use of the lowly semicolon. Filled with dread at the sight of ubiquitous mistakes in store signs and headlines, Truss eloquently speaks to the value of punctuation in preserving the nuances of language. Liberally sprinkling the pages with Briticisms ("Lawks-a-mussy") and moving from outright indignation to sarcasm to bone-dry humor, Truss turns the finer points of punctuation into spirited reading.

Gift Copy!
merrytranslator avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 68 more book reviews
Wonderful book! Very funny and point on!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 91 more book reviews
Funny book for the 'sticklers' among us.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 3 more book reviews
This book is very entertaining while discussing punctuation and grammar concepts we may be unaware of or simply confused about. The writer does an excellent job of leading us through each humor-filled chapter. A great review for writers everywhere and a must read for anyone who does more than text a message or two throughout the day!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 300 more book reviews
Does seeing the words "Egg's for Sale" drive you to distraction? How about "Lands' End"? You'll love this book if you are a member of the so-called society of "Punctuation Vigilantes".

Ever have the urge to take a permanent marker and correct a grocery store ad? Me, too!
If so, this book is for your knowledge (and entertainment!) Oops, I used one of those dreaded exclamation marks/points, didn't I? Wait'll you find the OTHER name for them!
paigu avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 120 more book reviews
Cute! Loved the book the instant I saw the cover. The snarky writing style does grate after awhile but if you're a grammar nerd, then you'll appreciate and agree with all of the author's grammar "pet peeves". Her story about when she was young and wrote a pedantic, boorish letter with liberal use of advanced grammar/vocab to her penpal had me crying with laughter.
kato avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 21 more book reviews
I have never mastered punctuation. The horror! The despair! With that said, I simply laughed out loud at this cranky little book and Truss even made me aware of what I was laughing at, which means I learned a little as well. I feel the book jumped out from the starting gates with a bang and took a lead as a "laugh-out-loud, I cannot put it down candidate," but by the middle, it ran out of steam and frankly, I got a bit weary with it. I mean, how much more interest can I muster up about an apostrophe or a semi colon? In Truss's words, perhaps I'm a thicko.

In Lynne Truss's defense though, I must say I have never been all that interested in punctuation and she had me mesmerized for hours. I would recommend this book especially for any punctuation/grammar snob. I guarantee you'll have a belly-laugh at those of us less inclined to be perfect and find an understanding friend. I am keeping it on my bookshelf to finish it at a later date, because it is well-written and I adore snarky wit. Truss is flat-out hilarious!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on
Creative and clever approach to punctuation.
frazerc avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 672 more book reviews
A book for all of us who automatically proofread everything from menus to billboards. It's not hugely useful if grammar and punctuation is your goal, but I loved the humor! It's nice to know I'm not alone on proofreading EVERYTHING!
kww avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 18 more book reviews
Much more pedantic than I had been led to believe.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 140 more book reviews
A fun book to read!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 314 more book reviews
Laugh yourself through punctuation and learn that it does matter.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on
I giggled my way through the entire book! LOVED IT!
FamFatale avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 369 more book reviews
A great read - A surprise since one would think punctuation would not be such an amusing topic.
ilovedale3 avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 524 more book reviews
This is the perfect book for those among us who are punctuation sticklers! If you cannot stand random apostrophes, know how to correctly use a semicolon, and love witty word play, this book is for you.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 43 more book reviews
The best book about punctuation ever!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on
Hardcover book
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 19 more book reviews
A very funny look at the foibles of English speakers.
javagal avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 8 more book reviews
Clever and witty book!
formia avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 20 more book reviews
A fun read!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 118 more book reviews
Surprising amount of text, not just a set of rules.
celeria avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 174 more book reviews
Humorous, serious, stickler-ish, and determined all at once. Worth a read, even if you're American and Truss' style of grammar doesn't apply to you.
animlgrl avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 84 more book reviews
Hated this book from the get-go...not sure what all the hoopla is about, and I am one that can be picky about grammer (not neccesarily punctuation). :D
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 3 more book reviews
Who would have thought punctuation could be so funny!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 7 more book reviews
This is an interesting & amusing book, but I'm not sure how much it applies to American punctuation.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 126 more book reviews
Wasn't what I expected.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 2 more book reviews
What a bore. I was expecting something clever and interesting; instead I got British grammar.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 8 more book reviews
Book on grammer and punctuation, very humorous
Kmarie avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 529 more book reviews
small but mighty!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 46 more book reviews
Get a simple book on grammar and punctuation and save yourself about 200 pages of megalomaniacal rambling.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 31 more book reviews
If grammer had been this much fun in school, I'd probably have gotten better grades!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 14 more book reviews
A great read and very funny. About language and it's devolution with the advent of internet slang and abbreviation.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 8 more book reviews
so,punctuation really does matter,even if it is only occasionally a matter of life and death.
MKSbooklady avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 989 more book reviews
Fun to read, it's no wonder why English grammar is so confusing!!!!
sonjamp avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 25 more book reviews
Loved this book.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on
Ordered this for my 12 y o daughter, thinking it would be a fun way to learn. However, I think it is a very hard read and very long-winded and bland.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on
Hilarious and informative. Wish I read it years ago.
paisleywings avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 232 more book reviews
Not what I expected, but somewhat interesting, nonetheless.
JK avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 139 more book reviews
From the back cover:

So, punctuation really does matter, even if it is only occasionally a matter of life and death.
nascargal avatar reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 352 more book reviews
This book is okay, but not what I really expected.
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on + 10 more book reviews
Brand new book - includes a limited-edition Punctuation Repair Kit!
reviewed Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation on
This book absolutely sucks.

Back to the Top ↑
By using this Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms of Use. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
US Patent Number 7,877,315 | Copyright © 2004 - 2024 PaperBackSwap.com. All Rights Reserved.