The punctuation marks, mathematical symbols and glyphs which haunt the edges of our keyboards have evolved over many hundreds of years. They shape our understanding of texts, calculations and online interactions. Without these symbols all texts would run in endless unbroken lines of letters and numbers. Many hands and minds have created, refined and promulgated the symbols which give form to our written communication. Through individual entries discussing the story behind each example, 'Hyphens & Hashtags' reveals the long road many of these special characters have taken on their way into general use. In the digital age of communication, some symbols have gained an additional meaning or a new lease of life - the colon now doubles up as the eyes of a smiling face emoticon and the hashtag has travelled from obscurity to an essential component of social media. Alongside historical roots, this book also considers ever-evolving modern usage and uncovers those symbols which have now fallen out of fashion. 'Hyphens & Hashtags' casts a well-deserved spot-light on these stalwarts of typography whose handy knack for summing up a command or concept in simple shorthand marshals our sentences, clarifies a calculation or adds some much-needed emotion to our online interactions.
Claire Cock-Starkey Books
This author finds their creative fulfillment deep within the British Library's reading rooms, surrounded by obscure and fascinating books as they research their next offering. Their distinctive approach involves meticulous work and a skillful weaving together of diverse subjects. A passion for facts and their presentation is central to their writing and editorial endeavors.
Schott's Almanac 2006
- 352 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Schott's Almanacredefines the traditional almanac to present a record the year just past and a guide to the year come. It is designed to be a practical and entertaining annual volume, that tells the real stories of the year, from the winner of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!to the distribution of income across the British social spectrum, from the Asian Tsunami and its aftermath to Live8 and the crisis of the referenda on the European constitution, and from the death of the Pope to the trial of Michael Jackson. Section headings are: Chronicle; World; Society & Health; Sci, Tech, Net; Celebrity & Media; Music & Cinema; Books & Arts; Travel & Leisure; Money; Parlimanent & Politics; The Establishment; Sport; Ephemerides. In an age when information is plentiful but selection is rare, Schott's Almanac offers both the essential facts and the lucid analysis. It will combine the authority and accuracy of the Economist with the wit and vitality of Have I Got News for You.
Big Ideas. Das Buch der Rechtsgeschichte. Big Ideas – einfach erklärt
- 336 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Eine anschauliche Einführung in die Rechtsgeschichte mit über 90 wichtigen Rechtsentscheidungen und Gesetzen aus aller Welt. Informative Diagramme und Grafiken erleichtern den Zugang zur komplexen Materie. Das Buch behandelt die Ursprünge des Rechts, den Einfluss historischer Dokumente und bietet einen verständlichen Überblick über die Rechtswissenschaften.
Das große Ganze
- 192 pages
- 7 hours of reading
Welches Land nimmt die meisten Flüchtlinge auf? Wer erhält die meisten Spendengelder? In welchem Land wird am längsten gearbeitet? Wo sind die gefährlichsten Straßen? Und wo wird am meisten Cola getrunken? Die hier versammelten Daten und Informationen reichen von ernst bis skurril – über alles, was dazwischen liegt. Die Themenpalette erstreckt sich hierbei von Umwelt über Religion bis hin zu Politik, Wirtschaft und Kriminalität. Die oft erstaunlichen Ergebnisse eröffnen völlig neue Perspektiven auf das globale Geschehen. Sehen und verstehen – was man in dieser visuellen Enzyklopädie entdeckt, geht einem nicht mehr aus dem Kopf. So entsteht ein Kaleidoskop aus nützlichem und unnützem Wissen, das zum einen Spaß macht und zum anderen einen Blick auf das große Ganze erlaubt.