Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss Available on Audio Book Available on MP3: Cutting a Dash

This is a delightful book. Who woulda' thunk it? An entertaining book about punctuation! A fast read, most people will devour it in a weekend.

It's entertaining--I know, punctuation--and Lynne Truss is a first rate author

There are times, however, when the semicolon is indispensable in another
capacity: when it performs the duties of a kind of Special Policeman in the
event of comma fights.

Consider these examples:

Fares were offered to Corfu, the Greek island, Morocco, Elba, in the Mediterranean, and Paris. Margaret thought about it. She had been to Elba once and had found it dull, to Morocco, and found it too colourful.

Fares were offered to Corfu, the Greek island; Morocco; Elba, in the Mediterranean; and Paris. Margaret thought about it. She had been to Elba once and had found it dull; to Morocco, and found it too colourful.

Ms. Truss also helps us understand such esoterica as dashes, colons and semicolons; how they help with effect and understanding.

The semicolon has been rightly called "a compliment from the writer to the reader". And a mighty compliment it is, too. The sub-text of a semicolon is, "Now this is a hint. The elements of this sentence, although grammatically distinct, are actually elements of a single notion. I can make it plainer for you - but hey! You're a reader! I on't need to draw you a map!"

If you write, this will definitely make you a better writer. If you read, ESL will make it more enjoyable.