In this engaging history, the author demonstrates handwriting in America from colonial times to the present. Exploring such subjects as penmanship, pedagogy, handwriting analysis, autograph collecting, and calligraphy revivals, Thornton investigates the shifting functions and meanings of handwriting. 57 illustrations.

"The Definitive Book of Handwriting Analysis is a must for all serious students of graphology." —Iris Hatfield, Professional Graphologist, HuVista International The complete guide to graphology from the winner of Flandrin-Michon AHAF President’s Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation The ability to write by hand is a pinnacle of human achievement. As a form of self-expression, handwriting reflects a person's thoughts about the self and reveals aspects of a person's personality. Written in a step-by-step fashion, The Definitive Book of Handwriting Analysis begins with the history of the field and then teaches you how to analyze any handwriting, starting with objective criteria, including variables such as organization, speed, size, shape, slant, and symbolic features. Then you learn how to combine these variables to create a full personality profile. There are more than 100 handwriting samples, including those from Paul Newman, Bill Clinton, Marlon Brando, Donald Trump, Sigmund and Anna Freud, Thomas Edison, Osama bin Laden, Jacqueline Kennedy, Bruce Springsteen, Benito Mussolini, Napoleon, Michael Jackson, Robert Redford, Barak Obama, and Charles Darwin. Part II discusses how handwriting is organized by the brain and includes many examples of the link between handwriting and various illnesses and brain disorders, from dyslexia and epilepsy to stroke and coma. It ends with a discussion of the link between different personality types, their brain organization, and their handwriting. Part III is an in-depth look at the field of questioned documents, including such topics as free-hand forgeries, tracing, disguised handwriting, and anonymous notes. It features an in-depth discussion of how forgeries are created and how they are detected. If you are interested in any aspect of this topic, The Definitive Book of Handwriting Analysis is definitely the book you need!

Shows how to analyze handwriting traits, including slant, spacing, baseline, and connecting strokes, and discusses practical uses.

When we purposefully change our handwriting, we introduce attitudes that can improve our relationships, give us the impetus to achieve and take risks, and simply bring out the best in us. This is because our handwriting is a reflection of our innermost thoughts and feelings. When we fall in love, survive a serious illness, or change careers, our view of life is dramatically altered and, as a result, our handwriting patterns change. Conversely, desired transformations can result from intentionally changing the way specific letters are written: * Stick to that diet by changing the letter T. * Avoid being overlooked for that well-deserved promotion by changing the letter G. * Reduce stress and cease juggling too many things at once by changing the letter S. * Overcome shyness or stage fright by changing the letter A. Included is an enlightening assessment test that identifies those personality traits requiring attention. Your Handwriting Can Change Your Life profoundly reveals that the key to making dreams come true is as simple as putting pen to paper.

Explains how to use handwriting analysis to interpret people's character traits, personalities, and backgrounds, and examines the handwriting of such dangerous individuals as Ted Bundy, Jack the Ripper, and Osama bin Laden.