Shady Characters by Keith Houston

Each chapter of this book dives deeply into the history of a particular typographical mark. How is it used today? Why is it used that way? When did we start using the mark? Was that it’s original use? All of these questions are considered and most are responded to for each symbol.

I never knew that a * preceding a date meant birth while a dagger meant death. 

A series of microhistories, this book is a fascinating read though I would recommend it more as something to read a chapter of each night rather than devouring it in one sitting. I also learned that, in modern-day, an em dash is equal to the height of the font-size. An en dash is now half of that of an em dash. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 24, 2013

Hard copy I didn't keep

Opinions are my own