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. 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.