Masters of language can turn unassuming words into phrases that are beautiful, effective, and memorable. What are the secrets of this alchemy? Part of the answer lies in rhetorical figures: practical ways of applying great aesthetic principles—repetition and variety, suspense and relief, concealment and surprise—to a simple sentence or paragraph. Farnsworth’s Classical English Rhetoric recovers this knowledge for our times. It amounts to a tutorial on eloquence conducted by Churchill and Lincoln, Dickens and Melville, Burke and Paine, and more than a hundred others. The book organizes a vast range of examples from those sources into eighteen chapters that illustrate and analyze the most valuable rhetorical devices with unprecedented clarity. The result is an indispensable source of pleasure and instruction for all lovers of the English language.
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"This book is so dense with terms, it's silly. But even if you never remember what chiasmus or anastrophe are, the examples of the types of rhetorical language are unforgettable. A worthy read for anyone who loves the sound of language."
— Megan (5 out of 5 stars)
“Not only educational but delightful.”
— David Mamet, New York Times bestselling author“Many things, from dictators to advertising, have made modern people suspicious of and cynical about language mobilized to move us. Fortunately, Ward Farnsworth’s delightful swim in a sea of well-chosen words should help to rehabilitate the reputation of rhetoric.”
— George F. Will, New York Times bestselling author and syndicated columnist“The most immediate pleasure of this book is that it heightens one’s appreciation of the craft of great writers and speakers…Mr. Farnsworth wants to restore the reputation of rhetorical artistry per se, and the result is a handsome work of reference.”
— Wall Street Journal“As Ward Farnsworth—a professor of law at Boston University—demonstrates in his witty handbook, the various rhetorical techniques are actually the organizing principles behind vivid writing and speech…More important, this handbook also provides a slew of examples to reveal how great writers have added force and color to their sentences by employing these tropes or figures.”
— Washington Post“Mr. Farnsworth, who despite being a professor of law writes clearly and trenchantly, wastes no time here with the trite and the trivial…This wealth of examples, if you will only look into them, will stimulate your interest, gratify your curiosity, and amplify your own writing.”
— Baltimore Sun“So, dear reader, I say it even if I say it myself—get this book! No, really, get this book! Read clever Farnsworth, and read him again, and you may become more clever yourself.”
— Chronicle of Higher Education“An engaging and accessible guide, valuable to all who wish to improve their rhetorical skills or better appreciate the abilities of others.”
— Library Journal“Ward Farnsworth’s invaluable review of classical English rhetoric is not only a vital tool for aiding clear expression, but a timely reminder that, despite the confusion of the present technological age, human nature, and our ability to communicate in clear and often beautiful ways is unchanging.”
— Victor Davis Hanson, coauthor of Who Killed Homer?: The Demise of Classical Education and the Recovery of Greek Wisdom“Every writer should have this book.”
— Erin McKean, editor of Verbatim: The Language Quarterly“I must refrain from shouting what a brilliant work this is (praeteritio). Farnsworth has written the book as he ought to have written it—and as only he could have written it (symploce). Buy it and read it—buy it and read it (epimone).”
— Bryan A. Garner, author ofThe Elements of Legal Style" Best book on categorizing figures of speech in English prose. "
— Joshua, 12/3/2013" If this book were the highway, I read it fast enough that I caught only every fifth mile marker, but I still enjoyed the ride and I know right where to go if I want to catch the other four. "
— Gwen, 7/8/2013" One of the most fascinating books I've ever read. A must-read for any writer, or anyone interested in language. I can't recommend it more highly. "
— Geoffrey, 6/28/2013" I read it in snippets and learn something every time. "
— David, 6/5/2013" Now I have a pressing need to orate. "
— Mike, 4/22/2013" A superior bathroom book for hardcore language enthusiasts. "
— Jason, 3/25/2013" I really loved this, though I skimmed it due to my brain being at capacity. "
— Pamela, 8/11/2012" Wonderful resource for my AP class! "
— Carrie, 7/22/2012" Hugely educational and hugely entertaining - a great combination! "
— John, 6/17/2012" The samples of the literary terms in classic works by famous authors really help you memorize the terms. Murphy even read the examples to help him memorize literary terms for his English semester exam. "
— Kim, 5/17/2012Ward Farnsworth is dean and John Jeffers Research Chair at the University of Texas School of Law. He received his JD with high honors from the University of Chicago Law School, and his BA from Wesleyan University. He is the author of books on law, philosophy, rhetoric, and chess and has published scholarly articles on the economic analysis of law, constitutional law, statutory interpretation, jurisprudence, and cognitive psychology.
Bronson Pinchot, Audible’s Narrator of the Year for 2010, has won Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Awards, AudioFile Earphones Awards, Audible’s Book of the Year Award, and Audie Awards for several audiobooks, including Matterhorn, Wise Blood, Occupied City, and The Learners. A magna cum laude graduate of Yale, he is an Emmy- and People’s Choice-nominated veteran of movies, television, and Broadway and West End shows. His performance of Malvolio in Twelfth Night was named the highlight of the entire two-year Kennedy Center Shakespeare Festival by the Washington Post. He attended the acting programs at Shakespeare & Company and Circle-in-the-Square, logged in well over 200 episodes of television, starred or costarred in a bouquet of films, plays, musicals, and Shakespeare on Broadway and in London, and developed a passion for Greek revival architecture.
Jim Meskimen is a stage, film, and television actor who has appeared in many well-known movies and television shows. He acted in Apollo 13 and Frost/Nixon for director Ron Howard, both of which were nominated for Best Picture Oscars. His television appearances include The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Friends, Lie to Me, Criminal Minds, and Parks and Recreation. He is also a painter, award-winning audiobook narrator, and audiobook director for Galaxy Audio.