Type is the bridge between writer and reader; between thought and understanding. Type is the message bearer: an art-form that impinges upon every literate being and yet for most of its history it has conformed to the old adage that lsquo;good typography should be invisiblersquo;; it should not distract with its own personality. It was only at the end of the nineteenth century that designers slowly realised that they could say as much with their lettering as writers could with their words. Form; of course; carries as much meaning as content. Now; anyone within reach of a computer and its limitless database of fonts has the same power. Type: The Secret History of Letters tells its story for the first time; treating typography as a hidden measure of our history. From the tempestuous debate about its beginnings in the fifteenth century; to the invention of our most contemporary lettering; Simon Loxley; with the skill of a novelist; tells of the people and events behind our letters. How did Johann Gutenberg; in late 1438; come to think of printing? Does Baskerville have anything to do with Sherlock Holmes? Why did the Nazis re-invent Blackletter? What is a Zapf? Type is a guide through the history of our letters and a study of their power. From fashion through propaganda and the development of mass literacy; Loxley shows how typography has changed our world. lsquo;Simon Loxleys quirkily elegant Type follows hard on the heels of Lynne Trusss Eats; Shoots and Leaves. It is better designed and typeset than that unlikely bestseller; and its subject; type; is central to the experience of every readerhellip; A heady mixture of intrigue; personal achievement and corporate greedrsquo; Justin Howes; Times Literary Supplementlsquo;Simon Loxley reads between the lines in Typehellip; underscoring the passion and ambition of its designers and highlighting the role that business and technological breakthroughs have had in the way we print and read todayrsquo; History Today
#295712 in eBooks 2009-04-01 2009-04-01File Name: B0071BGC9Y
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Highly Recommend :)By KalaBray7Absolutely LOVE this book!! I was so happy to actually read information I hadnt already read somewhere else! I appreciate this book because of the quotes :) It really brings you that much closer to this movement in history. makes you feel like you know that person or band just a little better than before. Its not a book for someone looking to find facts or literal info...its literally the thoughts. experiences. perceptions of the musician and bands in the eyes of the significant other. friend. etc. A unique read! You cant help but feel the authenticity of these quotes. considering the sources. Grunge fans. Alice in Chains. Nirvana. Soundgarden. etc.. I highly recommend!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. learned lotsBy DudeNot only does Greg Prato give you the late 80s and 90s era of Seattle. he goes waaaayyyyy back to the roots of it all in the 50s and 60s. I was totally amazed at how much content he was able to squeeze from prior periods and recent events as well.The only thing you have to adjust to is this is a series of quotes and answers from the people that lived it without a lot of narrative from Greg to guide you. Its not the author telling you what happened its the actually artists and people involved...in short quotes or answers. Its hard to get use to at first but then you get used to it and can get through the book quickly and understand why Greg did it this way.I really enjoyed this book and pretty much anything Greg Prato writes. He did an outstanding book on Blind Melon you should read as well.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Enjoyed reading the bookBy StrombiEnjoyed reading the book. Learned about a lot of band that I wasnt aware of before. But be forewarned that this book is just full of quotes from band members and fans that followed the bands from the beginning. If this isnt your thing find another book.
