The Pencil Perfect: The Untold Story of a Cultural Icon

by Caroline Weaver, Oriana Fenwick (Illustrations)

Intimate and individual, pencil and paper are a personal touch in a digital age. The pencil is our direct connection between mind and page. We tell the story of an overlooked cultural icon with anecdotes, unexpected facts, and hand-drawn pencil-and-paper illustrations. This book features profiles of pencil crafters, anecdotes about famous writers and their favorite pencils, and essays about the surprising role of pencils in world history and culture. The Pencil Perfect explores the culture, heritage, manufacture, and meaning of the pencil. The humble instrument is now more relevant and romanticized than ever because it reconnects us with a simpler time. More and more of us are putting down the smartphone—and picking up a pencil. This small, every day object brings us back to the simple and the tangible.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

160 pages, Hardcover

Published April 19, 2017

Reviews

[Karen Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course this is my favorite book that I've ever read - she is my daughter.

In all seriousness - Caroline tells a fascinating story about pencils, their origins and importance in society. You can order one from her website: cwpencils.com, and she'll even autograph it if you leave a comments in the note section of your order.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consider the comfort object, whatever little thing that, simply by touching it, calms you. Is yours a cigarette? A smooth stone kept in a jacket pocket? A worry bead bracelet? A childhood stuffed animal?
Mine is a pencil, in particular a Blackwing 602 or a lovely fat Choo-Choo from the Musgrave Pencil Co. in Tennessee. Pencils are my weird little passion - I keep pots of them everywhere, filled with more than I can ever hope to use - but just seeing those lovely, simple objects makes me happy. And Caroline Weaver is my guru, my supplier, my source for all things pencil related. Her store, CW Pencil Enterprises, is a Mecca for pencil nerds like me. If you can't make it to the shop - and who can, in the midst of the pandemic, try this book or visit her online. She won't disappoint you, and she may inspire in mini shopping spree. What could be more fun than that?

[TJ Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Nostalgic and interesting.

[Carisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was a masterpiece in itself. The passion and love that Weaver expresses within the book is very infectious and largely influences the growth of my own passion for the pencil. Accompanied with her witty and clever language, she took an object that has been greatly underwhelmed and draws out your fascination for the simplicity and elegant nature of the pencil. I suggest this book to anyone who has an appreciation for analogue devices. I find that the love for a pencil is very similar to one's love for a physical copy of a book in preference to a digital e-book. Although I also believe that this book would be more immersive for those who have some general knowledge in history and chemistry. Overall, the book was insightful and inspiring, which leaves you wanting to learn more.

[Cem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of one of the most brilliant products in history. Really enjoyed the archival research done by the author.

[Rabea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot believe I read an entire book about the pencil but damn that was interesting. I stumbled across this book while browsing the store and wondered what there was to know about a product that I honestly never think that much about, but absolutely use sometimes. And let me tell you, this book did not disappoint. I actually wish the author would have taken a little more time and told more in depth stories about the different pencils and their makers.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful volume for the aficionado and even the connoisseur of the pencil. It is illustrated by lovely drawings, in pencil of course, and gives the history of and improvements to the pencil by century. Past and present companies (including international ones) that have created this important tool are examined. This is probably more than most want to know, but fascinating to those of us drawn (pun intended) to the analog in this digital world. My only regret is that I didn't get a chance to personally visit her shop in New York.

[cvtherin · Rating 4 out of 5]

a cute, fun read. i really loved the layout and illustrations (drawn in pencil, natch) really added to the overall reading experience - though there were times some of the illustrations weren't as clear.

the writing felt a bit simplistic at times, sort of like an extended article you'd read online. but, if you want a niche and fun read, pick this up.

[Bookshire Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyably written history of a seemingly ordinary object: pencil. It’s full of facts and interesting bits. It’s not a boring treatise, the style is highly readable, with amazing illustrations. You will never look at pencils in the same way again.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good popular history of the pencil. I learned a lot from this little book. It also made me want to start looking for and using pencils again.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look at history of pencils with American bias

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book after going to the Philadelphia art museum and seeing their exhibit about pencils. Had an interesting time trying all of the different pencil grades.

[Charlie Newnham]

to-read

[Bob Finch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoughtfully written personalized history of the humble wooden pencil (and some accessories). Beginning with the earliest efforts to make a useful writing tool with graphite, the author chronicles major advancements in pencil technology, while weaving in stories of pencil barons and other pencil personalities. The book increasingly focuses on the author’s personal experiences and perspectives. It is beautifully illustrated.

I found the writing style reminiscent of a young-adult offering, written at about a 9th-grade level. She is perhaps most interested in teaching that audience, but I found the prose style mildly off-putting. Some facts are oversimplified, though not excessively so, and a few later chapters would have benefited from better editing. Most striking though was the author’s statement in a chapter devoted to ‘electrographic pencils’ that, “electrons in the graphite were not quite small enough” (p. 106). Wow. One can only guess what the author was trying to convey.

Quibbles aside, the book is overall a quick, entertaining and edifying read.