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