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labyrinth_witch's review
3.0
A wonderful expose on the history of handwriting, offering a little more in-depth explanation of the handwriting trends between Spenciarian and today (palmer, Bickman, D'Nealian, Getty-Dubay, etc). Excellent overview of the graphology movement, less focus on the ancient writing systems. She is more focused on the question of "Why is writing useful" than going into the educational debate of whether or not writing should be taught, though she does touch on that topic. She also explores in-depth how writing comes to stand for morality, which always fascinates me.
shanaqui's review
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Script & Scribble is a short history of handwriting, far from comprehensive, and larded heavily with the author's own opinions and experiences (which I know would drive some readers wild, since some prefer a more objective, less personal account). It comes with a lot of different illustrations of different types of handwriting, along with some explanations about how exactly they're formed.
The author is an unabashed fan of handwriting, though not a Luddite (accepting the need for typing skills, enjoying the use of her own computer, etc). I can't help but feel if she's not a Postcrossing member, she ought to be -- most postcards I receive via Postcrossing are handwritten, and all of the ones I send are.
(Full disclosure: I work for Postcrossing! But I'm also a fan of it and frequently send and receive postcards on my own dime.)
Her elegy for written items seems a little premature to me, though perhaps that's a peculiarity of my family; we send written letters a fair amount, and corresponded often via letters while I was at university around the time this book came out. That said, our handwriting isn't brilliant, and I'm sure the handwriting experts she consults would have plenty to say about my rounded, mostly-cursive hand.
It's an interesting read and quite quick, but doesn't feel very in-depth. By the time it's reaching the modern period, it's focused solely on the North American picture, even specifically the US. I'd have loved something a little more general.
The author is an unabashed fan of handwriting, though not a Luddite (accepting the need for typing skills, enjoying the use of her own computer, etc). I can't help but feel if she's not a Postcrossing member, she ought to be -- most postcards I receive via Postcrossing are handwritten, and all of the ones I send are.
(Full disclosure: I work for Postcrossing! But I'm also a fan of it and frequently send and receive postcards on my own dime.)
Her elegy for written items seems a little premature to me, though perhaps that's a peculiarity of my family; we send written letters a fair amount, and corresponded often via letters while I was at university around the time this book came out. That said, our handwriting isn't brilliant, and I'm sure the handwriting experts she consults would have plenty to say about my rounded, mostly-cursive hand.
It's an interesting read and quite quick, but doesn't feel very in-depth. By the time it's reaching the modern period, it's focused solely on the North American picture, even specifically the US. I'd have loved something a little more general.
gimchi's review
2.0
Lots on the history of writing - in many ways, it felt like a textbook. *snore*
Beautiful book, wonderful shape, which is why I picked it up, but overall - meh.
{I'd like to add that I love calligraphy (used to practice it, in fact), am an artist and love handwriting letters.}
Beautiful book, wonderful shape, which is why I picked it up, but overall - meh.
{I'd like to add that I love calligraphy (used to practice it, in fact), am an artist and love handwriting letters.}
melwyk's review
5.0
This was full of funny historical facts about handwriting, writing implements, calligraphy instructors of the 19th century, Thoreau's family fortune in pencils, and many other amusing asides. A wonderfully put together history of handwriting in America. Full review here
diane's review
3.0
A good but cursory overview of the history of handwriting, how it was developed, and why it's so out of fashion today. I enjoyed the bits about the history, particularly medieval and Enlightenment.
markfeltskog's review
Kitty Burns Florey's work grows on me with this book, the second of hers I've read. Script and Scribble complements that book, Sister Bernadette's Barking Dog, particularly nicely. As I make my rounds of the increasingly endangered book store, I'll certainly be on the lookout for more of Ms. Florey's books.
tamarayork's review
5.0
I found this book informative, delightful, and funny. Enjoyable though and through, particularly for the handwriting enthusiasts of the world, a group I have identified with since elementary school.