The Elements of Style

This, the original little book, has been incredibly popular since it was first written back in 1918. William Strunk, Jr., a professor at Cornell, released it in a privately printed edition in 1919 "to lighten the task of instructor and student by concentrating attention...on a few essentials, the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated." A year later, it saw its first major publication. This short guide to writing is as useful today as it was when it was first released. Everyone should own a copy.