Handwriting of the Twentieth Century
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Intellect Books
Published:30th Dec '07
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
The history of formal calligraphy has been thoroughly documented, and the demise of what people see as beautiful handwriting is frequently deplored, but the details of the teaching of this skill during this century have gone almost unrecorded. Everyday handwriting is ephemeral and school books soon disappear. The main purpose of this book is to create a historical record, however, techniques are illustrated that may be useful for teachers today, while the ever-changing views of the stylists provide examples, as well as a warning, to those who plan for the future. An individual sample of handwriting reflects the writer's training, character and environment. Collectively, the handwriting of a population of any period is a reflection of educational thinking, but overall it is influenced and ultimately moulded by economic need, social habits and contemporary taste. Within the short space of the period covered by this present study, the changing educational policies, economic forces and inevitable technological advance radically altered the priorities and form of handwriting. These changes show in the models and examples throughout this book as an inexorable (though not entirely smooth) journey towards speed and efficiency. The downgrading of skill training and the freeing of children’s creative talent have done the rest. You might say that at the end of the century we have the handwriting we deserve. That statement can be read several ways. It would be a pity to think that our students do not deserve to be taught strategies that enable them to write fast without pain. It might, however, mean that we are edging towards the flexible, efficient, personal handwriting needed to deal with the rapidly changing situation that is likely to face us in the next century.
"..excellent and comprehensive illustrated book-which takes us through not only what happened in the United Kingdom, but brings in information about other English speaking countries such as America and Australia as well as European scripts, providing samples and explanations that are valuable as a reference... The book's well-written Epilogue merits a section being printed - It couldn't be put better by a graphologist!" -- Elaine Quigley "Graphologist" "For those dedicated to recording the history, development, manufacture and use of writing equipment this book provides the long- awaited link between the tools and the activity of handwriting. Rosemary Sassoon's comprehensive and enthusiastic research provides a feast of detail about man's constant quest after fluent and clear handwritten script." - Michael Woods, Journal of the Writing Equipment Society "The older history of handwriting has been extensively explored, but now we have a wonderfully comprehensive and very readable account of how handwriting has developed and been taught during the twentieth century. It will be fascinating reading for anyone concerned with the teaching of handwriting." - Nigel Hall, Manchester Metropolitan University "Rosemary Sassoon's latest book is a must for anyone interested in handwriting. She writes the history in such a way that one easily grasps the reasons for the successes and failures of handwriting methods. Sassoon's latest book will help to improve handwriting instruction throughout the Western world." - Nan Jay Barchowsky, calligrapher and handwriting specialist "This book is a historical record of techniques, styles and methods. But it also a passionate study of everyday typography, informed by a deep knowledge of her subject. It will be of interest to educationalists, people in teacher training, plus cultural sociologists and historians - as well as typographists and graphologists." - Roy Johnston, Mantex
ISBN: 9781841501789
Dimensions: 229mm x 172mm x 11mm
Weight: 340g
208 pages