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And Pullum don't actually make any suggestions for better book. It's fine to criticize and dwell in to your loved subject as deeply as you want, but the rest of us need help.

If the Elements is not a good book, then what is, and if there is none, then maybe Mr. Pullum should write one.

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Well, he wrote a book on this topic http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Grammar-English-Language/dp/...

Edit: and they're kind of shy:

"Our aim is to describe and not prescribe: we outline and illustrate the principles that govern the construction of words and sentences in the present-day language without recommending or condemning particular usage choices. Although this book may be (and we certainly hope it will be) of use in helping the user decide how to phrase things, it is not designed as a style guide or a usage manual."

And at $161 it's not going to sell as well as The Elements of Style.

He wrote a follow-up entry on Language Log: http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=1319 It's mostly a response to the comments on Fark, so understandably he's a little bitter. Still, he does recommend an alternative: Joseph Williams' Style: Toward Clarity and Grace.

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