Katie’s Reviews > Writing to Learn: How to Write--And Think--Clearly about Any Subject at All > Status Update
Katie
is 42% done
I continue to have mixed feelings about Zinsser. This book began so strongly, but then he decided to begin referencing excellent humanist scientists to use as examples of great writing. That wasn't the bad part. It was when he carelessly mentioned Feynman's book as an example of poor writing while -in perfect snob fashion- complimenting Feynman's physics genius I started to feel icky. Writing books are perplexing.
— Jul 30, 2026 10:46AM
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Katie’s Previous Updates
Katie
is 77% done
SO painful. What he has to say about the craft of writing and the way he writes are both great! But his examples, his insistence on circling around humanist ideas and evolution are a dead weight. He uses loads of writing examples in every chapter and has mentioned something pertaining to evolution in almost every chapter. Fabre was the exception.
— Aug 08, 2026 09:35AM
Katie
is 45% done
Got to Ch 7: Art and Artists. I'm happy again. Freaking Zinsser is just oof. Dude is a million times better than Adler but whyyyyy didn't anyone love him into mystery and sacraments? He could have been a missionary. It's like he's perpetually stuck in the grumpy and/or bitter lemon stage and never figured out forgiveness. Sigh
— Aug 08, 2026 06:42AM