This self-published book was originally written in 1919 by Professor William Strunk, Jr. It was professionally published in 1935, then again in 1957, 1972, and 2000. It’s fair to say this book has stood the test of time.

Strunk and White Elements of Style consists of:

• 11 Rules of Usage
• 11 Principles of Composition
• 21 Style Guidelines
• Commonly Misused Words and Expressions
• Glossary

From the introduction:

Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all sentences short or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word tell. (page xvi)

Professor Strunk, although one of the most inflexible and choosy of men, was quick to acknowledge the fallacy of inflexibility and the danger of doctrine. (page xvii)

Where I work, we argue a bit about how relevant Strunk and White remains, with some taking the position of fully committed fans and others wanting more freedom (wanting to be lazy and not bother with the rules of grammar or of good writing style.) I guess you can figure out where I land on this controversy.