Chicago Manual of Style
University of Chicago (Editor), Preface by Margaret D. Mahan

Hardback: 957 pp
ISBN: 0226104036

Long called the editor's bible, The Chicago Manual of Style has targeted editors working in scholarly publishing and intimidated many writers and editors working in other areas. Civilians found it most useful as a doorstop.

The 15th edition still serves its special audience, but run-in subheads, simpler wording of entries and a more comprehensive (and comprehensible) index make it easier and more inviting for all writers and editors to use. Others should approach with caution.

The University of Chicago Press editors also did considerable updating, including integrating online publishing throughout the text, providing extensive guidance on citing electronic resources, rewriting the chapter on preparing mathematical copy and abandoning some style recommendations that didn't "catch on."

For a list of many of the rule changes, visit the new Web site. It also contains several useful features, including a continually updated Q&A, an extension of the FAQ that was on the UCP site. If you can't find the answer to a style question in the 956-page book, ask the editors.

UCP managing editor Anita Samen says book and journal editors worked together as never before in updating the manual, and the staff also called on an outside advisory board for the first time. Samen also stresses the attention she gave to style questions coming to UCP in calls, letters and e-mail. (The 15th prefers e-mail, Web and Internet.)

The manual is online, or soon will be, and the CD version will come out in about a year.

For editors, The Chicago Manual of Style remains an indispensable reference book.

A review of the 15th edition and an interview with Anita Samen appear in the August 2003 issue of Writing That Works', Concepts' print-only, monthly paid subscription newsletter, which you can sign up for a free trial subscription.