Brain Pickings

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21 JUNE, 2011

Shapes for Sounds: A Visual History of the Alphabet

Exploring why alphabets look like they do, what has happened to them since printing was invented, why they won’t ever change, and how it might have been.

19 JANUARY, 2011

The Gashlycrumb Tinies: A Very Gorey Alphabet Book

A delightfully dark vintage alphabet book from mid-century illustrator Edward Gorey, the Tim Burton of his day.

17 DECEMBER, 2010

Unruly Alphabet: The Macabre, Anthropomorphic Lives of Letters

A grim, macabre, beautifully illustrated alphabet book with larger metaphorical commentary on humanity’s most despicable qualities.