Find the right typeface with FontBook

With a gazillion typefaces available, how do you find the right one?

After eight long years, FontBook, the “largest type reference in the world,” is back with a spanking new edition. This “big yellow book” helps you choose typefaces by showing samples of 32,000 typefaces from 90 major and independant type foundries around the world.

The new edition promises less clutter with more font specimens, cross-references, and foundries. It sells for $99 bucks. At the time I bought the last version, they had a student discount, so be sure to ask.

Here’s the publisher’s description:

“FontBook is the only guide that compiles original, digital typefaces from multiple manufacturers and presents them in a systematic way.

FontBook is all-inclusive, with typefaces both old and new. It contains all the classics of the art of printing, insofar as they are available digitally, as well as the latest font releases and extensions.

FontBook is a type encyclopedia with an abundance of carefully researched notes on type designers, year of publication, similar fonts, and additional language versions.”

And some PDF samples:

• Introduction (English) (1.5MB PDF)
• Introduction (German) (1.1MB PDF)
• Samples from Each Chapter (2.1MB PDF)

I’ve had a copy of the old edition since my sleepless college days. It’s now thoroughly abused and battered with a cover that’s hanging on for dear life. Since used versions are going for $185 on Amazon, I think it’s time to save up get the new version.

Update (Nov. 16): Also check out the FontBook fighting game at FontBook.com.. (Designed by Punchcut)

FontBook: Digital Typeface Compendium