RIP Edwin Newman

[fabrisse]

One of the first nonfiction books I bought for myself was Strictly Speaking by Edwin Newman. I loved it, and I know that my understanding of the importance of grammar improved thanks to it and its sequel, A Civil Tongue.

We watched the news every night during dinner, and Mr. Newman was a favorite in our house. I have no idea what his personal politics were, but I found him riveting because he had a distinctive way of writing his copy.

Comments

[eronela.livejournal.com]

I loved Edwin Newman too. He was one of my mother's favorites also. I really like what you said about him. I liked the way he was able to make fun of himself sometimes, like when he did SNL.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

I missed his SNL sketches -- they happened while I was overseas. I'll have to see if Youtube has them.

[thorbol.livejournal.com]

What I remember best about that book is his comment about William Buckley, something like, "He doesn't speak, he exhales."

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

So very true. *G*