A History of the World (in Dingbats)
by David Byrne
Why read it
It offers an inventive, wonderfully eccentric glimpse into how a legendary creative mind processes isolation, history, and human connection. Created during pandemic lockdown, David Byrne transforms typographic ornaments (dingbats) into playful line drawings paired with philosophical mini-essays, making everyday observations feel fresh, poignant, and surprisingly hopeful.
Where to get it
Available in the Netherlands at bookstores carrying international art and design titles, such as Athenaeum Boekhandel, Waterstones Amsterdam, and ABC (American Book Center), as well as online via Bol.com and Amazon.nl. It is rarely held as a standard digital library loan due to its highly visual format, but print copies can be ordered through local Dutch public libraries (OBBA/Bibliotheek network) or found via Phaidon distributors.
What to expect
Playful, contemplative, and surreal. The reading pace is breezy and visual, making it very light and approachable rather than dense or academic. It touches lightly on lockdown isolation and modern anxieties, but maintains an uplifting, whimsical spirit throughout.
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