Beyond the Mac Is Not a Typewriter: More Typographic Insights and Secrets (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Think of this as the typography equivalent of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style. This little book not only defines the principles governing type but explains the logic behind them so readers can understand and see what looks best and why.

From the Back Cover

This book takes up where the phenomenally successful The Mac is not a typewriter left off, providing short, pithy chapters on all the typographic principles necessary to create sophisticated and professional typography. It covers issues and techniques that every designer and typographer will want to know, including how to make type more readable and legible, issues regarding punctuation and spacing, and examples of special techniques such as initial caps and swash characters. It also includes a chapter on evocative typography, or how to choose typefaces to emphasize your message, as well as how to cater typefaces according to project. In all, this book is an entire and final course in excellent typography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley Longman; 1st edition (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201885980
• ISBN-13: 978-0201885989
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,158,313 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top of the line introduction to typography., December 21, 1998

By A Customer

I am extremely distressed by one of the previous reviews that calls this "just another book by an amateur". I can think of noone more qualified to discuss typography and modern design principles. This is a great book to begin dispelling the errors we make by applying typing 101 principles to our computers. As far as Robin Williams not being a historian, I was looking for the correct method of getting my message across. Not a history lesson. Robin Williams is the most qualified expert on "today's" typography skills not yesterdays. Lets leave that to the historians.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a great way to learn about typography!, May 20, 1998

By A Customer

I am distressed by the negative review above. This is a well written and beautifully designed introduction to typography for beginners. If you own a Mac, or do some DTP and are interested in learning more about typography in a fun and accessible manner, this is the perfect book for you. In fact, my appetite was whetted, and I did indeed purchase "The Elements of Typographic Style," but I never would have developed an interest without Robin Williams' thoughtful guidance and enthusiasm. The Bringhurst book is much too deep and involved for total beginners, but is probably the best book on the subject, once you understand the basics. Beyond the Mac is Not a Typewriter is an excellent source for familiarizing oneself with those basics.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Must Begin Somewhere, June 13, 2002

By	J. B. Potter (Clio, SC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For all of us who learned typing but not typography before we first acquired a desk top computer with a "word processing program," Williams' clear guidance steers us away from the more obvious mistakes too many of us have already made in great profusion. Ordinary tools in the hands of ordinary people can turn out surprisingly good typography. Williams leads you by the hand down the beginning of the right path.

This handy little book is not just for Mac users, either. For some techniques in some applications, folks not blessed with a Mac will not benefit from the detailed "how to" instructions, but the principles apply to any platform. So, do your typograpgically ignorant friends (even those on the dark side) a favor; give them a copy of Ms. Williams' book.