This book by William F. Buckley is a greatly entertaining piece to those who enjoy the trivial points of the English Language. It explores all areas of the language, such as diction, speaking style and the most common abuses of our language. My favorite part of the book is Buckley's series of letters from some of his readers. These letters provide insight to the personality of Buckley and also show his unforgiving grasp of the English language.

I read this book earlier this year. Because of this book I have discovered Jorge Luis Borges. Because of this book I recently ordered Kilpatrick's "The Writer's Art". I discovered things about Buckley that I did not know. I knew about the CIA stuff, but I did not know about his MexicAnglo childhood. I now listen to the way he speaks when I see him on TV and wonder what was the effect on me of speaking two other languages before English. I consider English my normal language of communication at this point in my life.

One of the most enjoyable excerpts was the letter about his mother. A tear came to my eye.

The letters between he and "Kilpo" were amusing.

The interview with Borges was illuminating.

I often look at a book and evaluate the book in light of whether it excites me enough to read other books on the topic. Many books close a topic for me. This one opened all sorts of doorways.

Buckley's belletristic conservatism is charming, rather than offensive in "The Right Word." I was expecting a gruff old fogey with a wild rightist political agenda, couched somewhat overtly under the facade of a book on language. I must say that that I was most wonderfully surprised. This work is Buckley's magnum opus! It combines the best from this wordsmith's impressive opera and places them in a single and frequently witty tome. I even found myself starting to lean toward Buckley's side of the political spectrum, simply wowed by his intelligent articulation of his positions. This book was truly amazing, and inspired me to read some of his other works. Buckley is, quite simply, the master of our language. (Interesting since English is only his third language. He first spoke Spanish and then French!) The man is staggering.