This book traces the wide-ranging history of obsession, from demonic possession to the medical condition, and addresses forms of obsession that are pathologized (OCD, nymphomania) and those that are celebrated (the dedication of a professional or romantic devotion). Rather than depict any one of these myriad forms of obsession, I decided to let the cover reflect an obsessive process. My first attempts at computer-generated obsessive lettering were failures—the repetition had to reveal the labor of the hand to be truly obsessive.

Lauren Nassef (my wife, an illustrator and my frequent collaborator) suggested a pinprick technique she had used years ago. I prepared a type treatment that Lauren then punched out of heavy card with a pin, hole by hole. The final jacket is a photograph of the reverse of this pinpricked card.

A visual solution taken to the ultimate level. Including the pin is a perfect touch.