The Letter and the Cosmos: How the Alphabet Has Shaped the Western View of the World

De Looze, a professor of modern languages and literature, thoughtfully investigates the fundamental role played by the alphabet in Western culture. He examines the alphabetic letters as a complex phenomenon that says "something about our world and the way we view it." In the Middle Ages, the alphabet could be seen as analogous of creation itself; during Renaissance, it was the expression of humanity and intellectual achievements through reason; in the epoch of Enlightenment, it was a primary means of indicating one's association with civilized society. In the modern era, technologies opened opportunities for modifications and experiments with the form, disposition, and meaning of the alphabetic letters that can be seen in typography and architecture. De Looze writes that while the English alphabet has taken over the world, the world has also taken over the English alphabet, as witnessed in text messaging and social media, which he labels "a true globalization." This richly illustrated book is a scholarly text, but it will appeal to and inspire a broad audience. (Aug.)