Scan barcode
mpclemens's review against another edition
2.0
For research and scholarship, this book probably deserves a third star, but Hensher's attempts at humor -- if it *is* an attempt -- are tone-deaf to the point of being insulting. Maybe he was having a bad day. Maybe his editor found his bon mots the ne plus ultra of the work, I'm not sure, but there's some active antagonism in the footnotes and asides that detracts mightily from the book as a whole. Some surgical excision of footnotes would help this immensely.
Clunking attempts at pithiness aside, this is an interesting book, laying out clearly Hensher's own findings on the creation, evolution, and ultimate purpose of handwriting, as well as its future in a world where a keyboard is practically available all the time, to nearly every human on earth. I don't need the pseudo-science of graphology to peer into Hensher's personality: it's writ large on the page here, unfortunately.
Clunking attempts at pithiness aside, this is an interesting book, laying out clearly Hensher's own findings on the creation, evolution, and ultimate purpose of handwriting, as well as its future in a world where a keyboard is practically available all the time, to nearly every human on earth. I don't need the pseudo-science of graphology to peer into Hensher's personality: it's writ large on the page here, unfortunately.
jennilynft's review against another edition
3.0
Loved some parts, others were meh. Particularly enjoyed the vivid imagery and detail in the beginning whether the author explained what he loved about writing in school.
labyrinth_witch's review against another edition
3.0
An amusing reflection about whether or not handwriting is worth all the school debates and attempts to bring it back. With caustic humor, the author takes us through the history of writing from the way hands were formed by quills and the commission of emperors, to the moral edification purported by Spencerian and Palmer methods, to the advent of child-center education and Richardson methods, to the current debate of educations departments about whether it should even be required in schools. He takes us around the world, and also comments on the progressive technology of nibs, fountain pens, ink, and finally the ballpoint. He also take you through how writing was taught - the “methods”- giving social context, political ideology, and dogma to the different approaches. Overall it was fascinating read and compels the audience to really consider their own handwriting in terms of a wider social context.
Also some interesting chapters on the history, development, and application of graphology doe those interested in pseudoscience of personality testing.
He is, however, a British author so there was a lot of cultural references and word choice that is unfamiliar to those of us of other cultures.
In the end, yes, handwriting is important and should be revived. Read it to find out why he comes to that conclusion.
Also some interesting chapters on the history, development, and application of graphology doe those interested in pseudoscience of personality testing.
He is, however, a British author so there was a lot of cultural references and word choice that is unfamiliar to those of us of other cultures.
In the end, yes, handwriting is important and should be revived. Read it to find out why he comes to that conclusion.
rileygatlin's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
kevinaob's review against another edition
3.0
A fun but sometimes frustrating book: Some chapters are engaging and excellent and definitely worth reading--e.g., those pertaining to Proust and Dickens's shared fascination with handwriting--but some are so dry and inconsequential that you want to chuck the book into the nearest pond. I'd say it's worth a look, but don't be afraid to skip around.
thirtytwobirds's review against another edition
3.0
This book is... interesting. It's definitely not your standard history book. The book rambles at times, and the writing style is a bit scruffy. There are also random hard-to-read interviews scattered throughout the chapters.
The thing that bothered me the most is that the author acknowledges that graphology is bullshit, but spends almost a quarter of the book talking about it and seems to try to give it more weight than it deserves. Instead of the in-depth look at this pseudo-science I would have rather read more about the development of individual handwriting styles.
Overall it's worth a read if you're interested in handwriting I guess. Just take it with a grain of salt.
The thing that bothered me the most is that the author acknowledges that graphology is bullshit, but spends almost a quarter of the book talking about it and seems to try to give it more weight than it deserves. Instead of the in-depth look at this pseudo-science I would have rather read more about the development of individual handwriting styles.
Overall it's worth a read if you're interested in handwriting I guess. Just take it with a grain of salt.
floribunda52's review against another edition
5.0
I love nonfiction books about quirky subjects, and this fit the bill. A combination of personal history and research -- it was entertaining and interesting
superdilettante's review against another edition
3.0
Ultimately, the nicest parts of this book, the ones that made me want to get out my writing-implement-shaped flag and wave it around while tooting a big horn, were the introduction and the closing chapter. It seemed as though Hensher, passionate though he clearly is, wrote a wonderful book proposal about something he cares about deeply, and then had to fill a page count. Parts of this read like a term paper.
mxd's review against another edition
4.0
A fun mini history of handwriting, which includes discussion of the teaching of handwriting, handwriting styles, interviews with people on their handwriting, of handwriting analysis, of handwriting in literature, the Bic pen, the search for the perfect italic nib, and a lot of snarky footnotes (I'm pretty sure Hensher calls someone an arsehole in one of them).
It's a very interesting and entertaining look at handwriting and also a very personal one, the author having been motivated to write this book because he failed to recogise the handwriting of a friend. One of my favourite things about this book is that the author's enthusiasm for the subject is very clear and his writing style is incredibly engaging.
The book might not appeal to everyone, but if you're the kind of person who likes the idea of spending your lunch break at Paperchase because you're not interested in just a pen, it has to be a nice pen, then you'll probably like this book.
After you've finished this book you might also end up on a quest to find the perfect fountain pen for yourself - which is no bad thing.
It's a very interesting and entertaining look at handwriting and also a very personal one, the author having been motivated to write this book because he failed to recogise the handwriting of a friend. One of my favourite things about this book is that the author's enthusiasm for the subject is very clear and his writing style is incredibly engaging.
The book might not appeal to everyone, but if you're the kind of person who likes the idea of spending your lunch break at Paperchase because you're not interested in just a pen, it has to be a nice pen, then you'll probably like this book.
After you've finished this book you might also end up on a quest to find the perfect fountain pen for yourself - which is no bad thing.