I am also a fan of this book. For some perspective, here's a review by
William Berkson, a prominent contributor to Typophile.com.
I think it's important to keep in mind while discussing italic small caps.
*Reviewd by William Berkson:*
Few books deserve the name 'great', but this is one. The author brings
a combination of eloquence, learning, and passion for excellence, and
the result is a stunning achievement. This work seems to be at the top
of everyone's lists of books in typography.
One of the book's greatest strengths is also a weakness, though.
Bringhurst has the classical taste in art - a taste that treasures the
rare combination of serenity and elation, and the works of art that
give us this feeling.
Following this taste, he perceptively separates out the Romantic
elements that we have come to accept as normal, such as bold fonts,
grotesque style sans, wide pages, and the em dash. And he revives and
highlights the classical views of proportion and design in typography.
All of this provides a powerful new standard of excellence for
book typography - and books are really Bringhurst's focus.
The weakness of this book is that the Romantic taste does indeed
have its place, and this taste is neglected. Not only advertising, but
also any short material is often best served by typography that is not
serene, but rather provocative. What would quickly become tiresome in
a book can be delightful in smaller doses, and a different context.
I share Bringhurst's classical tastes, so to me the neglect of
advertising and the Romantic side of typography is no big loss. The
Romantic taste is to be found everywhere else, so this book is a rare
treasure: an exploration of the classical taste in an art that affects
everyone.
Bruce Pourciau
Wed, 23 May 2007 07:24:46 -0700
If you want to improve your typography : The Elements of
Typographic Style
of Robert Bringhurst is a nice book.
Cheers,
Charles
--
http://www.kde-france.org
I second that advice: read Bringhurst.
Bruce
