Comments about John's Book

Some words from readers and calligraphy peers about “Scribe: Artist of the Written Word”

“I have received John’s book now and it is wonderful. Congratulations all round. A beautiful production showing phenomenal work. John your book is brilliant and will be a lasting source of inspiration to all who own a copy”
–Sheila Waters (Internationally respected leader | teacher and artist of the calligraphy world )

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For me John Stevens has always been the master of masters. The amazing collection of works in this book reinforces that fact, but he has given us so much more. The book design and quality of the production exhibit the detailed attention of a master. The greatest gift I think is what John writes. He freely shares how he works and the philosophies that guide his creations. “Technique follows form,” are words he challenges us to take seriously. Throughout, he really is our teacher, not just in what he gives, but also what he asks of us. Other sentences like “achieving excellence and searching for beauty requires deep dedication and focus” asks us to assume a greater respect for the complexities of calligraphy and depth that we must take with our learning. Thank you for this book John. It is an honest and genuine treasure.
— Thomas Ingmire (Internationally respected leader | teacher and innovative visual artist )www.thomasingmire.com

“Highly recommended, John Stevens book is out. Great that his communication skills have risen do justice to his more than masterful work… his words are just as important. Proud he asked me to write the foreword to this book and that he did the same for my DVDs.Thanks John.”
–Denis Brown (Internationally respected leader| teacher and artist of the calligraphy world )www.quillskill.com

“I don’t mention other lettering artists very often, but there are exceptions to every rule. In this case I make an exception out of respect and admiration. If you have even a passing interest in letterforms and calligraphy I would highly recommend John Stevens new book ‘SCRIBE: Artist of the Written Word’. I get asked a lot about good books to buy. This book inspires me and I think it will inspire you too. It is an overused term but John Stevens is a true modern master of letterforms. He is the real deal. One of the most striking things about his work is his versatility. He has a virtuosity with brush and pen that is extremely rare. Like all the best lettering artists his work is informed by history but not constrained by it. I would like more people to know about John Stevens and his work.”
—Seb Lester | www.seblester.co.uk (JS: Mr. Seb Lester: a very well-known, accomplished lettering artist himself, kindly wrote this review and posted on his blog–Thank You Seb)

“Just got my copy of SCRIBE. Well worth waiting for. WOW!” –Luce Zolna

“All I can Say is WOW! Your book is my new favorite. I can hardly wait to read it. Too bad I have to go to work.”
–Jon M. Harl

“Christmas came early today…received Scribe – Artist of the Written Word in the mail. What a joyful time I had seeing so much beauty in one place. Thank you, John.”
–Judy Shears

“What a glorious afternoon reading portions of John’s book and looking at magnificent calligraphy. It was hard leaving for the dinner party. However, I am home now and reading more of my newly arrived copy of SCRIBE. Fabulous!”
–Sally Schneir Gooze

“whoohoo! I received your book in the mail today. Great job, John…can’t wait to look at each of the 263 pages of inspiration!!!”
–Jo Ann Bunosky Buzulencia

“I finally retrieved the long-awaited tome from my Post Office box late yesterday, but had to avoid the temptation to distract myself with it, as I was headed off to a play rehearsal. I finally got to unwrap it late last night. IT IS MAGNIFICENT (and I haven’t even started reading it yet)! It was well worth the very, very long wait. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for taking on this project with John and seeing it through. This book should be in the “Top Ten for My Book Shelf” list for ANY and ALL lovers of letters. Thank you again. “
– Denice H. Nitschke

“WOW!! The new John “Stevens book arrived in the mail today, and all I can say is EXQUISITE! I’m sitting in my studio with it—filled with the fresh smell of printer’s ink—leafing through the pages. Just beautiful. Well worth the wait and certainly well worth twice the price. Thank you so much for taking on the project and making it happen, which is often not an easy path. So thank you again, so very much. Please pass on my most heartfelt thank you to John Stevens. Wish I was closer to where he teaches, so I could enjoy some of his classes.”
– Robert Partner

“I can hardly believe it! On 30 July, two days before my birthday (which is today), the John Stevens book I ordered in 2008 finally arrived. It is gorgeous and well worth the wait. Thanks John, for this wonderful volume and for all the work and thought you put into it. And thanks too, to John Neal, for making it possible.”
— David Eakle, Tucson, AZ [via cyberscribes]

“Brilliant & inspiring, a lovely book.” —Alan Goode

Not only is the calligraphy marvelous, the book was very, very well designed. –J.P. Panter

I’ve had the privilege of four Cheerio sessions with John. This book is like none other, and it has definitely changed my viewpoint on teaching. His amazing talent is both innate and from thousands of hours with brush and pen.
–Sandy Riddell Wagner

At last my copies of the new John Stevens book arrived – Scribe….if you have not yet ordered a copy then you NEED to – fantastic images of masses of John’s work from over a life time of lettering work, and thought provoking text that I am only just starting to delve into. I am certain that this will be a book that makes calligraphy/lettering students strive for a different level of lettering study…anyway, more reading required!
—Janine Mitchell, Australia

Just received your book yesterday and was amazed at the quality and volume of your work. Do you ever sleep. The part I liked best was the section about when you were a sign painter…of course.
—Raymond Chapman

My gift arrived yesterday morning … just finished reading it. An excellent insight into the work & life of a very fine twentieth /twentyfirst century calligrapher+ of the highest calibre. Yes John Stevens we need an exclusive museum to tell our story …
—Gemma Black, Australia

Thank you for this beautiful and amazing book. —Claude Dieterich

I was so surprised when I saw a packet on my door. It was the two books and they arrived in good conditions. It’s a wonderful book. I’m very happy with it. I can not get enough of reading it. One was for a friend of mine and she’s happy too. It is really a beautiful book. It was worth to wait so long for this book. I want to thank you for the good service. Bring my cordial greetings to John Stevens.
—Cindy Vermeulen-Severeijns, Zwijndrecht, Belgium

It’s just arrived!! “Scribe” sits by my chair ready to be enjoyed! A quick flip-through before I had to go out, showed that it is all I was hoping it would be. Thanks.
—Sue Zanker, Queensland, Australia

I think this book can be experienced two ways: as a stunningly presented collection of John Stevens’ amazing work and as an passionately written treatise of art and design not only as it relates to lettering, but to virtually ANY medium. I am a woodworker and found the information directly applicable to furniture design, carving and sculpture. Scribe: Artist of the Written Word is my new ‘go-to’ reference that I expect will inspire my work for a long time to come.
—Martin O’Brien | Cabinetmaker | Letter Carver

If Edward Johnston ‘s “Writing Lettering and Illumination” is the calligraphers bible of the 20th century then John Steven’s “SCRIBE” is the holy grail of the 21st century. If you want to witness process, purpose, passion and performance, then SCRIBE is a must read. If you want to share compelling beauty, perfected aesthetics and artistic vision then SCRIBE is your coffee table book . And if you are a perpetual student (like me) then SCRIBE is a required text book. Gratitude to YOU, John Stevens!!!
—Joyce Teta | Owner and callligrapher | CalligraphyCentre.com

The John Stevens book is beautiful. It was definitely worth the wait. Better to do it right, especially with a project like that where it encompasses the life’s work and ideas of a major artist like John.
—Mike Gold | Calligrapher/Designer/ Artist

Each of these 263 pages is filled with his exquisite work: work executed with such a wide variety of tools and materials, including pens and brushes both pointed and broad edged, ruling pens of every description, gilding on papers, vellum, slate, wood etc etc. These pages show his astonishing range of skills, his invention and his impeccable taste. Interpretations from the most formal to the most personal open readers’ eyes to ever new possibilities. All these make this truly ‘a must have’ book for any lover of the Western alphabet.

–update 5/14/2014:“I feel it is perhaps the most important addition to the calligrapher’s library by some distance. Am on my 2nd reading of it and its still a compelling read. ”
—Peter Thornton | Renowned Calligrapher/ Teacher