Rebel with a Clause by Ellen Jovin [6/10]

For those fascinated by the English language (American version thereof), “Rebel with a Clause: Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian” will be a gently entertaining balm. Ellen Jovin, who found a ready audience for her street-level Grammar Table, embarks on a quest around the nation, fielding grammar questions in town after town. The forty-nine chapters of this book all tackle an interesting or contentious aspect of grammar, from “who versus whom,” to the Oxford comma, to “which versus that,” through to practical capitalization. But this is no dry lecture, instead the author recounts discussions with ordinary people about each topic. Some of the exchanges blur into banality, but often enough, a sparky debate is a perfect way for a language lesson, and the author is adept at explaining clearly. If you find the difference between an em dash, an en dash, and a hyphen baffling or fascinating, Rebel with a Clause is the repast for you.