The Deluxe Transitive Vampire: The Ultimate Handbook of Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed Hardcover – Illustrated, August 10, 1993

This book was recommended to me by a college professor to help me with grammar and sentence structure etc. Not only has it helped me improve and grasp general writing rules but I've never seen or read a book written in this way before It catches my attention because of the creatures and topics for each of the sentences and this makes this book the opposite to boring; in fact I'm smiling as I'm learning because of the amusement the author has managed to infuse into this very easy to follow and insightful learning tool. Highly recommended not only for it's easy to grasp concepts, but also for it's twisting topics.

Gordon's book was first recommended to me by poet Bill Matthews when I was a grad student in the MFA program at Brooklyn College. DECADES later, I use Vampire teaching college composition courses, from remedial to advanced.The students can "see" the grammar principles at work. The reticent and timid grammar student is energized by Gordon's exotic, quixotic and witty illustrations. Parts of Speech, Sentence Structure, Passive Voice -- all the essentials are here. Gordon's explanations are straight froward and practical. The class discussions sparked by the content have sometimes been more engaging than literature discussions.

This is such a gorgeous book - the binding, hard cover and paper are sumptuous, and more to the point it makes grammar tantalizing. It gradually draws you in with its quirky illustrations & clever examples, and then all of a sudden you are hooked! It's a great resource for anyone who loves a few gargoyles, werewolves and vampires with their grammar. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who struggles with grammar and needs a basic textbook. If you love language and you're already comfortable with the basics of English grammar, then this is perfect. In fact it is *delightful*. I found myself sniggering out loud while reading the example usages of the gerund. It's not the sort of book that you read from cover to cover - I leave it on the coffee table and browse through it as I sip a cup of tea.

See above.That being said, it is definitely designed for someone who wants to be there really learning the grammar. It's not one of those technical manuals that will answer the quick question you have about that pesky comma. It's going to teach you why the comma is there and how to identify the parts of your sentence with the fluency to rearrange them for greater effect, thus avoiding having to include that comma at all. It wasn't all sunshine and roses, though, from the point of view of a grammatical craftsman who likes to compare constructions in French, German, Latin, and ancient Greek. Gordon swept the differentiation of tense from aspect under the rug, and the book was completely lacking a discussion of mood. Since that's kind of an enormous gaping hole in an otherwise charming, illustrative, and exhaustive book, I have to go 4 stars instead of 5.

It must have been quite a challenge writing a book that would be predominately read by all of us stick-in-the-mud grammar teachers. I think Gordon does a great job of catching the reader's attention while teaching some very (I'm sorry but it's true) dry material. I teach it, and even I hate reading about it!By no stretch of the imagination is this the best book on grammar out. Nor is this the best book written on the subject. I would equate it to a grammar coffee break. It's useful, but also pleasant. If you want a hyper-organized, get the answer quick reference book this is a poor choice. If, however, you want a fresh source of ideas to present to your hyperactive, low attention span, immediate gratification students you may find this quite a bit more useful that diagramming you millionth sentence.

This is probably one of the most quirky grammar guides that I've ever read, but I really liked it. I think that book is really interesting with all of the pretty pictures and funny sentence examples.After reading this book many times, it has greatly improved my grammar because it was the only grammar book that I had ever read cover to cover. Some pars were a little lacking, but the whimsical feeling of the book won me over.

This is a book that will entertain while teaching grammar skills. Great for people who think grammar rules are boring!

A bit macabre in context, however, this essential grammar book effectively reduces tomes of boring grammars into a mesmerizing, instantly grasped fable read.I have extensively studied advanced grammar (English and five other languages), yet this trickster book taught me several things I didn't at all know! Wow. Amazing asset to any English speaker with an exigence to communicate effectively.It's time to terrify those around you with hauntingly accurate use of grammar--and meaning.

Excellent book. All we want to know about wtiting and stuff