Just my Type : : a Book About Fonts

Locations
Call Number: 686.224 Ga, Adult Book / Nonfiction / Art / Design / Garfield, Simon
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Pittsfield Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	686.224 Ga	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Nonfiction / Art / Design / Garfield, Simon	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Nonfiction / Art / Design / Garfield, Simon	4-week checkout	Due 05-11-2024

Originally published: London : Profile Books, 2010.
introduction : love letters -- We don't serve your type -- Capital offence ; Gill Sans -- Legibility vs readability ; Albertus -- Can a font make me popular? ; Futura v Verdana -- The hands of unlettered men ; Doves -- The ampersand's final twist -- Baskerville is dead (long live Baskerville) ; Mrs. Eaves & Mr. Eaves -- Tunnel visions -- What is it about the Swiss? ; Frutiger -- Road Akzidenz -- DIY -- What the font? -- Can a font be German, or Jewish? ; Futura -- American Scottish ; Moderns, Egyptians, and fat faces -- Gotham is go -- Pirates and clones ; Optima -- The clamour from the past ; Sabon -- Breaking the rules ; The interrobang -- The Serif of Liverpool ; Vendôme -- Fox, gloves -- The worst fonts in the world -- Just my type.
A romp through the history of fonts and the lives of the great typographers, revealing the extent to which fonts are not only shaped by but also define the world in which we live.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Library Journal Review
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Summary / Annotation
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Interesting - but best for those in the know? submitted by pk on June 21, 2012, 10:22pm I enjoy books about invention and this one seemed to fit the bill. It gives a wonderful history of type, typefaces, printing, fonts, etc. The style is easy to read and I did enjoy this book. But. I think if I knew just a little more about the process of printing, I would have been happier. For example, I have heard of a linotype machine and I know what it's used for, but don't know exactly HOW it works. The author talks about linotypes, but never explains in full detail how the machine works. Seems to assume that you already know that. I didn't, so I found myself wondering about that a lot. Similar experience with other technologies - all the way back to the Gutenburg press. If only I knew a little more before I read the book, it would have been that much better. The author seems to assume a certain level of knowledge.

Still, this book is enjoyable for those who like to know how things came to be. Even better if you are in the business. And you'll start analyzing every font you see!

who knew submitted by unknown on July 5, 2012, 10:47pm Who knew that fonts could be so interesting

Cool Book submitted by Cami K on August 3, 2013, 7:32am As a graphic designer, I learned some of this in school, but love to learn more about fonts and the history of printing. The author adds lots of interesting tidbits about typefaces and their evolution. An enjoyable read.

Fascinating submitted by doctorfang on July 23, 2014, 3:42pm I love this book so much that I ended up purchasing a copy for my home library.

Each chapter focuses on a different topic regarding fonts. Some chapters focus on a specific font and how it came to be. Another chapter, for example, focuses on the legacy of Steve Jobs and the first Macintosh, which was the first home computer that allowed users to select and actually SEE fonts on their screens.

The book is well researched and well written, making the subject matter fascinating, even to those with minimal interest in graphic design and typography.

good submitted by gogo on June 17, 2019, 8:12pm not good at all

cinderelly submitted by Yelenabm_15 on August 3, 2019, 8:31pm goaled

Learned a lot submitted by tcramer318 on July 25, 2022, 10:57pm I checked this book out as an audiobook through Overdrive, and finally about halfway through I realized that this is probably the worst pick for an audiobook over print. I still learned a lot though, and would be happy to return to the print book proper in order to get the full experience.