Author: Honorary Professor of Linguistics David Crystal
Publisher:  Profile Books (2016)
ISBN-10: 178125351X
ISBN-13: 9781781253519
Condition: Very Good.
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 377
Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.4 cm
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by Honorary Professor of Linguistics David Crystal
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This 'engaging history of punctuation' (Wall Street Journal) is not only the first history of its kind, but a complete guide on how to use English punctuation. Behind every punctuation mark lies a thousand stories. The punctuation of English, marked with occasional rationality, is founded on arbitrariness and littered with oddities.

For a system of a few dozen marks it generates a disproportionate degree of uncertainty and passion, inspiring organisations like the Apostrophe Protection Society and sending enthusiasts, correction-pens in hand, in a crusade against error. Professor Crystal leads us through this minefield with characteristic wit, clarity and commonsense. He gives a fascinating account of the origin and progress of every kind of punctuation mark over one and a half millennia, and he offers sound advice on how punctuation may be used to meet the needs of every occasion and context.