The Telegraph newspapers maintain their high standards of accuracy, literacy and grammar thanks to a comprehensive style book used by all their journalists, covering everything from the correct title of a baron to the spelling of Gorden Kayes Christian name when writing about Allo, Allo. But its rigour and exactitude are complemented by a deliciously baleful, even testy, wit a quality much valued by, and indeed demonstrated by, its own readership in Aurums hugely successful Unpublished Letters book of Christmas 2009, Am I Alone in Thinking? As a result this style guide is a uniquely enjoyable and frequently very funny read in itself. Now Aurum publishes a trade edition, as a handsome little hardback volume, decorated with a cover cartoon by Matt. It will be an essential addition to the bookshelf of anyone who has to write for public consumption, but will also make an ideal gift.

STEVE JAMES is a former Glamorgan and England cricketer, who now writes on cricket and rugby for Telegraph Media. He has written six books, including an autobiography and The Plan, the award-winning story of how two Zimbabwean coaches, Duncan Fletcher and Andy Flower, transformed English cricket. He has ghosted books for Fletcher, England wicketkeeper Matt Prior and Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton.