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Just My Type: A Book About Fonts Paperback – September 4, 2012

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Simon Garfield (Author)
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4.3 out of 5 stars 177 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Avery; Reprint edition (September 4, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1592407463
  • ISBN-13: 978-1592407460
  • Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 2.9 x 8.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (177 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsDisplay Fonts, Invisible Fonts, and Font Wars
By Rob Hardy HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER on November 18, 2010
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
You are looking at it right now, and if it is doing its job, you don't even notice it. It might represent a creation that has taken centuries to come to its current state of perfection, or it might be something that a dedicated specialist worked on for years and brought out a decade ago. It represents artistry directed within a circumscribed realm. I am talking about the font in which these letters are presented. Thirty years ago, fonts were usually the interest of only a select few in the printing world, but now every computer is charged with fonts and everyone gets to be an amateur typographer (technically, the font is a specific set of metal parts, or digital files, that allows reproduction of letters, and a typeface is the design of letters the font allows you to reproduce, but you can see how the words would get used interchangeably). Simon Garfield is not a professional typographer; his role is bringing out fine nonfiction about, say, stamp collecting, history, or the color mauve. But he has an amateur's enthusiasm for fonts, and communicates it infectiously in _Just My Type: A Book About Fonts_ (Profile Books). This is not a collection of type designs, though there are many illustrations. In most cases it won't help you in finding out what font you happen to be looking at (but it will tell you how to do so in surprising ways). It is a book of appreciation for an art that is largely invisible, but is also essential.

I would not like to read pages set in any of the fonts in one of Garfield's last chapters, "The Worst Fonts in the World." On the list is Papyrus, which caused a stir when it was used extensively in the film _Avatar_. The expensive film used a free (and overused) display font, and font fans noticed.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsA book on fonts...really?
By Jill Meyer TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on January 21, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Simon Garfield is a British author who has written non-fiction works delving into everything from the history of AIDS in Britain, to the attitudes of the British during and after WW2. He's a splendid writer who concentrates on - shall we say - somewhat "quirky" topics. Case in point is his current book on fonts (or founts, as they used to be called).

Fonts came into being with the invention of the printing press in the late 15th century. It is shocking to realise that the printing of books for the masses has only existed for a fraction of man's existence. Books are such an integral of our lives that its amazing to think only 600 years ago books were owned only by the very wealthy or religious orders.

Garfield traces the history of fonts from their earliest days, paying special attention to those which we're most familiar with - Helvetica, Gill Sans, Arial, and Akzidenz Grotesk (a favorite of mine, if only for the name). He writes about the artisans behind the lettering, and most interesting, how certain fonts cause emotional responses in the people who view them. Why were some fonts popular for hundreds of years, only to fall from favor? How do fonts determine what consumers buy and what they don't buy? And how boring our lives would be if everything was printed in the same font.

Garfield has a lively writing style and is never boring. He gives a very good reference section at the back of the book, which is very helpful to those readers who want to know more.

By the way, if you're reading this, then be sure to read the review by Rob Hardy in this section. His long and interesting review is spot on - he's a reviewer's reviewer - and Rob's are the gold standard of reviews.
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5.0 out of 5 starsUnexpected Five-Star Journey Should Be Everyone's "Type"
By Annie G. on September 2, 2011
Format: Hardcover
I hope the (deservedly enthusiastic) reviews here from various "font geeks" will not lead general readers to believe this book is mostly for graphic arts specialists. I'm someone who generally pays more attention to what words have to say than how the letters are formed, and yet I found this to be one of the most enjoyable books I've read in years. Might have something to do with the author being from the UK, where clever writing is clearly emphasized and appreciated. For sheer writing quality, and therefore reading pleasure, it was an actual page-turner. To say nothing of the fun of the many short "Fontbreak" chapters and the witty visual samples and captions interspersed throughout (a good reason for buying the print version).
As I've previously found with works by Malcolm Gladwell & Atul Gawande, Simon Garfield's book was both fun to read an intellectually gratifying in its combination of light-touch prose and eye-opening history. It's not exaggerating to say this book has changed my whole perception of the reading experience from both a tactile and an historical point of view. Indeed it changes my visual appreciation of the world OUTSIDE of books in a way that hasn't happened since my sitting through two semesters of The History of Western Art in college! Immersed while on the crosstown bus, I found myself lifting my eyes to examine every awning I passed, wondering what is that font, how old is it, who chose it for this store or billboard, etc. etc.
Per Janet Maslin's rave in the New York Times, I really hope JUST MY TYPE becomes a surprise hit like Lynne Truss's EATS, SHOOTS & LEAVES -- and for the same word-loving audience, not just (excuse the pun) graphic design types. It deserves it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Gift for my artist friend. She is obsessed.

Published 2 months ago by Erin Cuite
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

predictable book.

Published 2 months ago by Wesley Horton
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great book.

Published 2 months ago by Hannah Bean
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

New no marks and interesting read.

Published 4 months ago by Gina fonseca
5.0 out of 5 starsDefinitely recommend it for a novice

I'm just discovering fonts. This was marvelously entertaining as well as instructive. Definitely recommend it for a novice.

Published 4 months ago by violee
4.0 out of 5 starsGutenberg printed and now I have a million choices in my word...

Simon Garfield has a way of taking something you never think about into an engaging read that makes you wonder how that ever escaped your notice. This time it is fonts. Read more

Published 4 months ago by ARG
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat!

Great!

Published 4 months ago by jwilliams
4.0 out of 5 starsTypeface nerds will love this book, yet it could have used more...

Just My Type: A book about fonts by Simon Garfield was a dream to read for typeface nerds like me. As Garfield states, a generation ago no one would have given a second thought to... Read more

Published 5 months ago by Craig Rowland
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

AAAAAAAA++++++ Thank You...

Published 5 months ago by BatangMindanao
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

This is a great book to read if you are interested in typography.

Published 6 months ago by lauren elise rumley

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