Customer Reviews

The Complete Manual of Typography

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book belongs in the pantheon of well written, well presented expertise. If you liked Bringhurst's gem of a book, add this one to your library. The organization, writing and examples are exemplary. Felici's sense of humor is a treat. His sense of fit a balm to the weary.

If you are type & text junkie this will soothe your jones. If you care about type this will make it clearer. Even if you are an oldster with plenty of practice this book will add something to your arsenal. At the very least you will find how to explain all that H&J arcania more clearly to others.

And, as a last thought, I appreciate the restraint in the design of the book. It serves the subject well.

I am only half way through this book (so much in it I have to take it a few pages at a time). The history of type is covered (and should be read to learn vocabulary...but has a great glossary if you just want to learn terms in other sections as you go along...21 pages of glossary.)

Seems like 1/4 of the book is history and the architecture of font AND typeface (yes...the book is so in depth it tells the difference between the two). The final 3/4 is on typesetting good and bad, how to do it with various computer programs (though no program is emphasized as each program will be good at one thing and bad at another and he wants to keep it as generic as possible so you can apply equally). It is written in a fairly straightforward language and you only have to scratch your head a couple of times (Plenty of Visual Examples are included). In fact, seeing how they do typesetting of this review is already causing some agrivation now that I know just a few things to look for. .

As I read in a magazine I use for graphic design...the best advice a graphical designer for what to have a great knowledge of is Typography. Even if your desing work is middle of the road your typography will give it a more cohessive look and feel and is probably the top number one thing to master...and I am beginning to agree. The book is set up to be used as either a reference guide or a textbook...your choice. I recomend this book as your first choice. Another book is "Logo, Font and Lettering Bible" by Cabaraga...if you are into designing, letters, logos and symbols.

After searching for sources on typography, I chose this one based on reviews and the index. A+++ decision on my part as it has to be the best reference available. Reading it has been more than a pleasure as it is so complete and well written. Mr. Felici discusses each area of typography with fine detail and clarity. The book is perfectly organized, concise, beautifully typeset. Anyone and everyone who wishes to communicate well with whatever software program available to them and for whatever purpose (graphic design, print, desktop publshing or web) would benefit greatly from Mr. Felici's Complete Manual of Typography!
Thanks, James for all the details in one outstanding source.

I've been aware of Jim Felici's extensive knowlege of typography through his work as a journalist and editor for various graphic arts publications. When I learned he had written this book, I knew it would contain a wealth of knowledge. This book should be the basis of a required course of study for any professional who works with type. We've all struggled to read so many POORLY typeset pages, we're now painfully aware that GOOD typesetting really matters! Anyone who works with type should care about producing eminently readable pages, and The Complete Manual of Typography will teach you how to achieve that goal. A great cover-to-cover read as well as a handy on the spot reference tool. You'll keep it within easy reach right next to your Chicago Manual of Style!

Although I'm not an expert and therefore cannot comment on whether this really is a complete manual, I can say that the book is very good. It's full of helpful examples (nicely placed in the margins) that help the reader develop good typographical intuitions. It is extremely accessible, even for a non-specialist, and from all that I can tell, it is quite comprehensive.

I always buy books with the idea of reselling on Amazon.com after I'm finished. It's not working in this case: My Felici looks like it's been left out in the rain and attacked by our dog. That's because I've dragged it everywhere while carefully making my way through it, a few enjoyable pages at a time. Very few books get that kind of time and attention. One measure of a technical book, I've found, is the completeness of its index. Felici's runs to fully 35 pages, in addition to a glossary of similar length! What's not there is also telling. Felici doesn't pad his book with type specimen pages or with machine- or software-specific how-to-do-it steps. This one is a winner!

When type is set badly enough, it can give you a headache -- and type is often set badly enough to be an ongoing annoyance. When it's set well, it becomes transparent, allowing the content to come through without distractions. And when it is set very well indeed, it enhances the content as good music enhances a movie. This book illuminates the interlocking problems involved in maximizing the ease and enjoyment of the reader. It's directed to writers, editors, proofreaders, designers, typesetters, and buyers/managers of their work -- but general readers who appreciate good design will also enjoy it.

Unfortunately, there are lots of really ugly books being published now.

The rise of desk-top publishing, self-publishing and Print-On-Demand has made it possible for anyone with a credit card and blood pressure above zero to act like a publisher.

There are no licensing requirements, and unlike years ago when future printers worked as apprentices to expert printers, anyone can now put words on paper. A lot of those words are just dumped, with little or no preparation, thought, knowledge, or artistic ability.

(The worst-looking book I've seen lately is Best in Publishing & Print on Demand by David Rising. Rising tries to advise authors on self-publishing, but his own book is a great example of what not to do.) Best in Self-Publishing & Print on Demand: Plus Marketing Your Book on The Internet (na)

Fortunately, there's a WONDERFUL book that will tell you what to do.

The Complete Manual of Typography by James Felici is both a beautiful book to look at, and a complete yet easy-to understand reference work that will be invaluable to any self-publisher.

It will help professionals using sophisticated publishing software, and will even help amateurs like me who are trying to make the most out of Microsoft Word.

It will help you avoid stupid mistakes, and enable you to make your books both prettier and more professional. It includes the typographical history, secrets and tricks that used to be passed from father to son (but seldom to daughters).

I had a course in printing back in eighth grade, and a course called Advertising Art Production while in college. I've also worked in advertising agencies, I've designed award-winning websites, and have written several books. But Felici taught me a lot. He taught me so much, in fact, that I revised two of my books. I Only Flunk My Brightest Students

Price is $50 (before discounts) but it's worth every penny if it helps you avoid looking like an idiot. If you buy it from Amazon.com, the price is much less.

Michael N. Marcus, author of "I Only Flunk My Brightest Students: stories from school and real life" http://www.amazon.com/dp/098166170X

The greatest compliment I can give this book is to say that I read it from cover to cover. It's true- each of its 290 pages contained useful information and- perhaps more importantly- it is written in a very approachable style. Discussions often include interesting historical explanations, leaving the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the 'why' as well as the 'how' or 'what'. The tone of the book is engaging and straightforward with moments of surprising wit. Helpful examples comparing blocks of text are used generously throughout the chapters.

A brief summary of the book:

-Part one, Typographic Basics: History of type; units of measurement; about fonts & typefaces; using typefaces; typesetting versus typewriting; setting type on a personal computer; the differences between good and bad type

-Part two, How to Set Type: Measure, point size, leading; hyphenation and justification; kerning and tracking; indentation and alignment; special characters; document structures; tables; language-specific issues; style sheets; output resolution issues

-Part three, References: includes a very thorough glossary and index


As a whole, the book is intended primarily for people wishing to learn about typeography, and more specifically, the typography of printed text (books, newspapers, and magazines, as opposed to broadcast or advertising). This book is not meant to be a guide to print in advertising, although reading it will help you set better type in your ads if that is your job. Nor is this book a compendium of typefaces; the examples show typefaces primarily used by book publishers, such as Sabon, Garamond, or Caslon. This book is not a guide on which typeface to use for every situation; the author writes most of the book with the assumption that the typesetter will have the font and style dictated by the publisher. From the introduction: "This is not a style guide, but an execution guide."

What this book intends to teach is proper typesetting: The spacing of letters within words; the spacing of words and punctuation within sentences; the spacing and arrangement among lines of text and paragraphs; functional and attractive justification; and page color.

This book would be helpful to anyone involved in printing text, whether large scale or small.

I am writing a computer program on typography, and I have been reading one book after another on typography.
Out of all, I think Felici's 'The Complete Manual of Typography' is one of the best in its correctness and clarity.
It handles often misunderstood topics such as "em" very well. Not only does it define the concept, but it also tells you what the concept is not.