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Gifts aplenty this summer
Mother's birthday? Nephew's graduation? Second cousin twice removed's wedding? If you need help selecting a gift for any occasion, you've come to the right place. What gift is always the right color, the right size, and the right price? Why, books, of course! |
REVIEWS BY MIRIAM DRENNAN
Majestic Creatures of the Wild By Dr. Jeheskel Shoshani Checkmark Books, $39.95 ISBN 0816042942
By Mark Shaw Rizzoli, $45 ISBN 0847822737
View delicate, happy times, such as Paul Poole's Southern Belles; spiritual transformation, caught by Jack Davis's photographs of Mahalia Jackson and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; groundbreakers from the Harlem Renais-sance; and martyrdom from the Civil Rights movement. This gorgeous volume also serves as an invitation to check out Reflections in Black, one of the many Smithsonian exhibits traveling throughout the country over the next few years.
A History of Black Photographers, 1840 to the Present Edited by Deborah Willis W.W. Norton, $50 ISBN 0393048802
Harry N. Abrams, Inc., known for gorgeous art and gift books, has given new meaning to the word overview in Earth from Above. It took aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand more than five years to photograph locations on every continent. The result is an oversized book that can barely contain the visual explosion of light and color: a pink blanket created by an aerial shot of fishing flamingos; carpets in Marrakech; decorative boxwood hedges (called "Turkish carpets") in France. This astonishing collection takes you to dizzying, exhilarating heights -- keep reminding yourself that your feet are on the ground!
By Yann Arthus-Bertrand Harry N. Abrams, Inc., $65 ISBN 0810932679
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If the adjectives majestic and dignified apply to your giftee, choose a gift that follows suit. Elephants: Majestic Creatures of the Wild by Dr. Jeheskel Shoshani is not only informative, but gorgeous, too. Beyond Jumbo and wooly mammoths, Elephants offers a complete history of the magnanimous creatures by beginning with, simply, a definition of the word elephant. From there, find out how elephants relate to other living things, from baboons to zookeepers. This revised edition includes photographs so vivid, it's difficult to determine whether the text complements the photos or vice versa. The final pages consist of briefly answered FAQs and a bibliography. This is a breathtaking volume that captures both the splendor and difficulties of these magnificent creatures.
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And speaking of magnificent creatures, the John F. Kennedys and their essence have been immortalized through a revised and expanded edition of The Classic Album of the Kennedy Family. Photographer Mark Shaw first published this collection in 1964 shortly after the president was assassinated. It is obvious that the adoration between photographer and subject was wedded within Shaw's lens; even official "sittings" are portrayed in a breezy, relaxed manner. Do not look for "snapshots" (as Shaw referred to his work) of the triumphant arrival in Dallas, nor the anticipation of the tragedy that would soon follow, nor the thoroughly mod Mrs. Onassis who would re-emerge. This is pure Camelot, a concentration of a period that captures Kennedy's Georgetown days, as he deftly walks the road to the White House. Onlookers will be reminded of all the promise held by this young family, and will be left asking once again, What if?
Another concentrated focus with tremendous impact is found in Reflections in Black: A History of Black Photographers, 1840 to the Present. Assembled by Smithsonian curator Deborah Willis, this collection serves a dual purpose: it gives long-awaited attention to the history of black photographers and also provides a panoramic view of African-American life, beginning with the last generation of slaves and ending with the artistic endeavors of the 1990s. Willis has carefully selected nearly 600 images that portray the struggle and the pride of African Americans.