Items related to Letter Perfect: The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet...
Synopsis
A fun, lively, and learned excursion into the alphabet—and cultural history.
Letters are tangible language. Joining together in endless combinations to actually show speech, letters convey our messages and tell our stories. While we encounter these tiny shapes hundreds of times a day, we take for granted the long, fascinating history behind one of the most fundamental of human inventions: the alphabet.
The heart of the book is the 26 fact-filled “biographies” of letters A through Z, each one identifying the letter’s particular significance for modern readers, tracing its development from ancient forms, and discussing its noteworthy role in literature and other media. We learn, for example, why the letter X has a sinister and sexual aura, how B came to signify second best, why the word “mother” in many languages starts with M, and what is the story of O.
Packed with information and lavishly illustrated, Letter Perfect is accessible, entertaining, and essential to the appreciation of our own language.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Inside Flap
Letters are tangible language. Joining together in endless combinations to actually show speech, letters convey our messages and tell our stories. While we encounter these tiny shapes hundreds of times a day, we take for granted the long, fascinating history behind one of the most fundamental of human inventions -- the alphabet.
The heart of the book is the 26 fact-filled “biographies” of letters A through Z, each one identifying the letter’s particular significance for modern readers, tracing its development from ancient forms, and discussing its noteworthy role in literature and other media. We learn, for example, why the letter X has a sinister and sexual aura, how B came to signify second best, why the word “mother” in many languages starts with M, and what is the story of O.
Packed with information and lavishly illustrated, Language Visible is not only accessible and entertaining, but essential to the appreciation of our own language.
From the Hardcover edition.
About the Author
DAVID SACKS is author of the Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World. His articles mainly on cultural topics have appeared in the New York Times Book Review, the Wall Street Journal, the Ottawa Citizen, and dozens of magazines. He lives in Ottawa, Ontario.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherCrown
- Publication date2004
- ISBN 10 0767911733
- ISBN 13 9780767911733
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages416
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 14.67
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Letter Perfect: The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet From A to Z
Seller: Goodwill of Colorado, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Acceptable. This item is in overall acceptable condition. Covers and dust jackets are intact but may have heavy wear including creases, bends, edge wear, curled corners or minor tears as well as stickers or sticker-residue. Pages are intact but may have minor curls, bends or moderate to considerable highlighting/ writing. Binding is intact; however, spine may have heavy wear. Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. A well-read copy overall. Please note that all items are donated goods and are in used condition. Orders shipped Monday through Friday! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!. Seller Inventory # 466U1D001KVC
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Letter Perfect: The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet From A to Z
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Acceptable. Item in acceptable condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00071027447
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Letter Perfect: The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet From A to Z
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00072847358
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Letter Perfect: The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet From A to Z
Seller: -OnTimeBooks-, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: acceptable. Book may contain some writing, highlighting, and or cover damage. Shipped fast and reliably!. Seller Inventory # OTV.0767911733.A
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Letter Perfect: The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet From A to Z
Seller: Hawking Books, Edgewood, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Meets or exceeds the good condition guidelines. Nice copy. Has a small amount of writing/highlighting. Five star seller - Buy with confidence!. Seller Inventory # X0767911733X3
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Letter Perfect: The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet from A to Z
Published by
Crown Publishing Group (NY), 2004
ISBN 10: 0767911733
ISBN 13: 9780767911733
Used
Paperback
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.8. Seller Inventory # G0767911733I5N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Letter Perfect: The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet from A to Z
Published by
Crown Publishing Group (NY), 2004
ISBN 10: 0767911733
ISBN 13: 9780767911733
Used
Paperback
Seller: ThriftBooks-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.8. Seller Inventory # G0767911733I5N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Letter Perfect: The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet from A to Z
Published by
Crown Publishing Group (NY), 2004
ISBN 10: 0767911733
ISBN 13: 9780767911733
Used
Paperback
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.8. Seller Inventory # G0767911733I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Letter Perfect : The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet from A to Z
Published by
Crown Publishing Group, The, 2004
ISBN 10: 0767911733
ISBN 13: 9780767911733
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 9728592-6
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Letter Perfect : The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet from A to Z
Published by
Crown Publishing Group, The, 2004
ISBN 10: 0767911733
ISBN 13: 9780767911733
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 6118681-6
Quantity: 3 available