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!
Shake off the snowy-blowies of winter and turn your thoughts to spring. Author Mary Tonetti Dorra has teamed with photographer Richard Felber, and the result is Beautiful American Rose Gardens, a stunning volume of bloom and text. Crossing the country and back, in all four corners, Dorra is the ideal travel companion, because she knows when to talk and when to quietly marvel. Her text is just enough; we learn about the flowers, their tenders, and the history of each garden dwelling. Still, it is just enough; Dorra knows when to let readers absorb Felber's photographs. The images are so distinct, the fragrance of each petal practically rises from the page. Lush greens, deep crimsons, fiery yellows and pinks explode, whether they are located in carefully manicured gardens or natural settings.
Richard H. Jenrette has won numerous awards and acknowledgments for his amazing enthusiasm and dedication to restoring and preserving some of America's most beautiful historical homes. Six of the homes are owned by Jenrette himself, and he offers a personal account of his experiences in Adventures with Old Houses. Each chapter opens with a full-color spread, followed by ample photographs, floor plans, historical facts, and restoration details. It is a self-contained, portable museum, with a tour through many rooms. Jenrette's style is clearly not limited to architecture and antiques, however; his words are friendly and inviting, as if he is chatting with you over tea. With a foreword written by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, Adventures with Old Houses is a gorgeous gift for anyone interested in old homes, architecture, and historic preservation.
Stone carver William Edmondson created works that pushed the boundaries of regional folk art. Edmondson, a native Nashvillian and son of former slaves, entered his trade creating tombstones. Eventually, he created figures inspired by his surroundings and undying faith, figures ranging from the most basic creatures to divine beings. The Art of William Edmondson captures the spirit of the artist, as well as his world. Amid dusty hands, frayed aprons, and a handwritten sign that reads, Tomb-Stones. For Sale. Garden Ornaments, Stone Work Wm. Edmondson, there are angels, eagles, sheep, and yes, tombstones. More importantly, however, is the essence of Edmondson, which is carefully captured in book form by the staff at Cheekwood (Nashville, Tennessee) and the University Press of Mississippi. Edmondson, the first African-American artist featured in a solo exhibit at New York City's Museum of Modern Art, has been long-deserving of such an in-depth tribute.
Time co-founder Henry Luce had a unique idea when he decided to launch a business magazine in 1929: he wanted it to be beautiful. Perhaps the timing of Fortune magazine's launch was a tad off, with the stock market crashing a few months later, but its beauty prevailed. Five years after its inauguration, circulation tripled; no small feat, considering Fortune's price and the fact that the country was experiencing crippling financial woe. Now, Fortune's beauty has extended into Fortune: The Art of Covering Business, a gorgeous volume of history and art. In addition to the cover artwork, the book includes snippets of historical data from selected issues. Celebrate 70 years of good Fortune!
