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