On Writing Well: Audio Collection

By: William Zinsser

Narrated by: William Zinsser

Length: 2 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

This expanded audio collection presents William Zinsser's On Writing Well, the classic teaching book that has sold more than 1 million copies, together with a new 90-minute section that tells you how to write a memoir.

Based on a course that Zinsser taught at Yale, On Writing Well has long been praised by writers, teachers, and students for its sound advice, its clarity, and the warmth of its style. It's for everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get through the day. Whether you want to write about people and places, science and technology, business, sports, or the arts, this is the definitive guide to the craft of nonfiction.

Part II of this collection, on memoir, personal history, and family history, tells you in helpful detail how to write the story of your life: who you are, who you once were, and what heritage you come from. Throughout, Zinsser refers to the work of many successful memoir writers, including Frank McCourt, Annie Dillard, Russell Baker, and Eudora Welty, to demonstrate how they solved the problems of selection, compression, focus, and tone that every memoir writer struggles with.

©1990, 1999, 2003 William Zinsser (P)2003 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Zinsser's classic belongs on every writer's shelf. It's full of practical, no-frills advice on the basics of writing nonfiction: clarity, simplicity, brevity and humanity....The author's easy-going delivery and warm voice are confidence-building, as well. The discussion is crystal clear and easy to follow as transitional statements carefully lead the listener from one section to the next. Most of all, the audio exudes Zinsser's generosity of spirit, which is sure to inspire any would-be writer." (AudioFile)

Tools for great writing

It really is everything about Writing Well!

A necessary item in every writer’s tool box. It is inspiring, enlightening & easy to apply to writing development plans. Loved it & will be referring to this book often.

not what I thought it would be about

I expected this book to be about grammar vocabulary and other important basic skills. but it was about how to be an author.

Great book on communication, not just writing.

I am just 10 minutes into the audiobook and I love it. It’s written very simply. Anyone can understand it. It’s the best example of do what you preach. Highly recommend it.

Good but not full version.

Good content and performance. Was a bit disappointed that it wasn't the full book. It was hard to tell what the content was.

Simple powerful tips!

I really enjoyed this book. He states writing should be concise, and I love that his own writing was so concise and didn't waste my time with fluff!

I have my pen and paper ready to write😆

I Loved it so much, I listen to it twice. I highly recommend everyone to listen.

Write your story

It’s a simple introduction to the process of telling your life story and gives valuable advice. Keep it simple and don’t be pompous by trying to impress the reader.

Not the same as the 30th anniversary edition

I’m confused why this doesn’t match the book.

Is this a lecture?

It doesn’t tell any of the stories from the kindle version I have.

With that said, it was a great introduction and has given me more motivation to write more and read the entire ebook 7th edition of On Writing Well (2006).

It is annoying and deceptive when books in audio format don’t match the current or latest version. This is the second time I felt duped, just like when I ended up buying two different audible versions of Tim Ferris’ 4 Hour Work Week.

Audible should make it more clear what edition these books are, and if there are newer versions.

this book is wondeful

I had a hardcopy of this book. When I read this book, I thought I wanted to heard this book. That's why I bought the audio version of this book. This book is great to learn how to write better. I strongly recommend you to buy this book. The guide is simple and easy but strong. One thing I don't like is that this audio version is abridged so this is not the whole book.

everyone should read this. multiple times

very useful and enjoyable to listen to. I highly recommend. I will be revisiting this regularly