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Just My Type

The original and best book about fonts
3.95 goodreads logo

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( 60,885 ratings, 1,563 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Just My Type by Simon Garfield explores the fascinating world of typography. This book delves into the history and nuances of fonts, revealing how they influence our perceptions and everyday lives. It provides insights into the design and evolution of various typefaces, making it a delightful read for anyone interested in the unseen design elements around us.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this fascinating exploration of the world of typography, discovering the stories behind timeless fonts and the impact they have on our everyday lives. If you have a curiosity for design, history, or the quirks of visual communication, this educational yet entertaining book could capture your interest.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

'A quirky and informative study of fonts' Anthony Horowitz, Sunday Telegraph

Non-fiction Christmas bestseller. Radio 4 Book of the Week

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Just My Type is not just a font book, but a book of stories. About how Helvetica and Comic Sans took over the world. About why Barack Obama opted for Gotham, while Amy Winehouse found her soul in 30s Art Deco.

About the great originators of type, from Baskerville to Zapf, or people like Neville Brody who threw out the rulebook, or Margaret Calvert, who invented the motorway signs that are used from Watford Gap to Abu Dhabi.

About the pivotal moment when fonts left the world of Letraset and were loaded onto computers, and typefaces became something we realised we all have an opinion about.

As the Sunday Times review put it, the book is 'a kind of Eats, Shoots and Leaves for letters, revealing the extent to which fonts are not only shaped by but also define the world in which we live.'

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Simon's work is celebrated for its quirky and comprehensive exploration of typography, appealing both to graphic enthusiasts and those new to the subject. The book is praised for its accessibility, humour, and engaging storytelling, transforming readers into avid font-spotters and giving them a newfound appreciation for typefaces. It makes the history of fonts captivating, often evoking delight and engrossment, while revealing the influence of typography in everyday life.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781846683022

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 September 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Profile Books Ltd

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 192.0mm

Weight: 307g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Simon Garfield is the author of twelve acclaimed books of non-fiction including Mauve, The Error World and The Nation's Favourite. His edited diaries from the Mass Observation Archive -Our Hidden Lives, We Are At War and Private Battles - were bestsellers, and his study of Aids in Britain, The End of Innocence, won the Somerset Maugham prize. He lives in London and St Ives, Cornwall.

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