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The late Kingsley Amis's last word on the state of the language, "The King's English" is more frolicsome that "Fowler's", lighter than the "OED", and brimming with the strong opinions and razor-sharp wit that made Amis so popular--and so controversial.

"A delightfully arch, irreverent handbook for those who dare to speak or write the King's English - Kingsley Amis's English, that is."

Kirkus, 05/15/1998

Praised as a superb prose stylist, British writer Amis, who died in 1995, was nonetheless controversial, variously labeled a Communist, Thatcher conservative, alcoholic, misogynist, and philander. Even in The King's English, an entertaining manual that is hardly meant to be exhaustive, Amis's wit and candid opinion prevail. Anyone wishing to distinguish between the words belly and stomach (don't even consider tummy) or feeling particular angst over the crossed 7, the disappearance of Latin, and the use of such popular expressions as in-depth, in terms of, or whatever will find a discerning explanation. For insight into Amis's life and work, readers can turn to the authorized biography by Jacobs, a Fleet Street journalist and broadcaster. Amis wrote 24 novels, including the acclaimed Lucky Jim, plus several works of poetry and nonfiction. Focusing on the novels, Jacobs deftly reveals a man who is not always admirable or likable but is certainly intriguing. Recommended for literary collections. Robert Kelly, Fort Wayne Community Schs., IN

Library Journal, 05/15/1998

The King's English: A Guide to Modern Usage: Search Results