Script & Scribble

By Kitty Burns Florey
Melville House, $22.95, 190 pages

If you lament the decline of handwriting, Script & Scribble provides thoughtful validity to your concerns. But it’s also a celebration of the artistry and intellect in handwriting. Florey covers the evolution of handwriting from the Sumerians to the ubiquitous urban graffiti. She includes the historical development of writing implements from the ancient stylus to the ballpoint pen. She takes what some consider a boring topic on an ailing craft and makes it respectable, creative, and lighthearted. To get the most from this book, you need at least a mild interest in history, art, or trivia. I found it fascinating, but then, I would sit enthralled through a Ben Stein lecture on the history of almost anything.

Right or wrong, there was a time when people were judged harshly by their handwriting. Many believed the mind was trained through the discipline of the hand. Florey shares the styles and beliefs of handwriting masters whose patience and creativity were esteemed. But as civilization advanced, the tension between flashy and functional writing increased. I agree with Florey that receiving a handwritten note is a pleasure; for handwriting is near the heart. I am also grateful for the book’s demonstrations that helped improve my handwriting.

Reviewed by Grady Jones