Beyond the Mac Is Not a Typewriter

by Robin P. Williams

This book takes up where the phenomenally successful The Mac is not a typewriter left off, providing short, pithy chapters on all the typographic principles necessary to create sophisticated and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201885980
• ISBN13: 9780201885989
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Addison Wesley Longman
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.5" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

One Must Begin Somewhere

For all of us who learned typing but not typography before we first acquired a desk top computer with a "word processing program," Williams' clear guidance steers us away from the more obvious mistakes too many of us have already made in great profusion. Ordinary tools in the hands of ordinary people can turn out surprisingly good typography. Williams leads you by the hand down the beginning of the right path.This handy little book is not just for Mac users, either. For some techniques in some applications, folks not blessed with a Mac will not benefit from the detailed "how to" instructions, but the principles apply to any platform. So, do your typograpgically ignorant friends (even those on the dark side) a favor; give them a copy of Ms. Williams' book.

A top of the line introduction to typography.

I am extremely distressed by one of the previous reviews that calls this "just another book by an amateur". I can think of noone more qualified to discuss typography and modern design principles. This is a great book to begin dispelling the errors we make by applying typing 101 principles to our computers. As far as Robin Williams not being a historian, I was looking for the correct method of getting my message across. Not a history lesson. Robin Williams is the most qualified expert on "today's" typography skills not yesterdays. Lets leave that to the historians.

What a great way to learn about typography!

I am distressed by the negative review above. This is a well written and beautifully designed introduction to typography for beginners. If you own a Mac, or do some DTP and are interested in learning more about typography in a fun and accessible manner, this is the perfect book for you. In fact, my appetite was whetted, and I did indeed purchase "The Elements of Typographic Style," but I never would have developed an interest without Robin Williams' thoughtful guidance and enthusiasm. The Bringhurst book is much too deep and involved for total beginners, but is probably the best book on the subject, once you understand the basics. Beyond the Mac is Not a Typewriter is an excellent source for familiarizing oneself with those basics.

A useful introductory book on type principles.

Ms. Williams' book is written at a very accessible level. It doesn't claim to address every issue in the history of type, but it provides an organized, thoughtful beginning that whets the appetite for more detailed type examples and history. Her list of tell-tale signs that something is "desktop-published" should be in the hands of every new designer