Looking for shorthand books? We've gathered 13 free shorthand books in PDF, covering the Gregg shorthand system, Pitman shorthand, Teeline, and general stenography guides.
These manuals teach you how to write at speeds that match spoken language. From John Robert Gregg's classic method to Isaac Pitman's system, shorthand remains one of the most practical skills for note-taking and transcription.
Browse by shorthand system or explore the full collection. Every book is free to read online or download as PDF.
Gregg Shorthand Books
The Gregg shorthand system uses curved strokes in a natural motion, similar to longhand. It became the most popular shorthand method in the United States.
Here you'll find the original 1916 manual, the Anniversary edition, and a dictionary with nearly 19,000 word outlines.
Complete manual of the Gregg shorthand system covering the alphabet, consonants, vowels, word-signs, phrasing, and abbreviating principles across 12 structured lessons.
Anniversary edition manual organized into 12 chapters and 36 progressive units, covering all Gregg shorthand principles from basic consonants and vowels to advanced abbreviating techniques.
Anniversary edition dictionary containing shorthand outlines for nearly 19,000 English words, with a detailed introduction explaining analogy principles and abbreviating rules.
Invented by Sir Isaac Pitman in 1837, this system uses geometric shapes and was the first shorthand method adopted worldwide. It remains the standard in the UK, India, and many Commonwealth countries.
These books range from the definitive Instructor reference to the New Era edition course and modern practice manuals.
CBSE Class XI textbook covering Pitman's phonetic shorthand system in 8 units: consonants, vowels, hooks, circles, loops, halving, doubling, and compound consonants with practice exercises.
A practice manual for Pitman shorthand covering history, rules, revisionary exercises, important outlines, and dictation passages for office stenography students.
The definitive Pitman shorthand reference — a centenary edition covering the complete phonographic system with rules, exercises, and reading passages. Written by the inventor of the system.
A complete handbook teaching Pitman shorthand rules through the most frequently used English words. Covers all principles from basic consonant signs through compound consonants and shorthand reading.
Free introductory unit from the NCTJ Teeline Gold Standard course for journalists. Covers the Teeline alphabet, letter forms, vowel indicators, and basic joining principles.
These books cover shorthand from a broader perspective, across multiple systems. From the history of stenography to modern speed-writing methods, they help you understand how rapid writing has evolved.
You'll find guides on typewriting, business correspondence, and a simplified system designed to be learned in 15 minutes.
An 1891 guide covering the history of shorthand from ancient Rome to modern systems, with practical chapters on learning the art, working as an amanuensis, reporting, and typewriting machines.
A comprehensive reference covering stenographic methods, business correspondence, typing techniques, legal forms, postal regulations, and office practice. Includes hundreds of business terms organized by industry.
A modern shorthand system designed to be learned in 15 minutes. Uses alphabet-based characters with no omitted vowels, making it more readable than traditional shorthand while still significantly faster than longhand.
