BOOKS: LAST WORD IN GIFT-GIVING CAN BE A REAL PAGE-TURNER.Byline: Rob Lowman Daily News Entertainment Editor Except for those who like living on the edge, holiday shopping can be one of the most stressful endeavors in life. For most men, it's even worse - sort of on par with watching their favorite team lose the Super Bowl for the fourth straight time. But wandering through a bookstore such as Dutton's in North Hollywood or a Barnes & Noble or any other one is a Zen-like experience guaranteed to bring back some of your equilibrium. Even if you go with the intention of picking up one of the titles listed below, take some time out to wander among the aisles, pick up the books, turn the pages and get lost in something other than the madness. Of course, you can go online to places like amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com, but the experience is nowhere near as therapeutic. Best bets ``The American Century,'' by Harold Evans (Knopf; $50). It's not surprising that this book is out there; with the millennium approaching, there are already countless tomes dedicated to the past century or even the last 1,000 years. What Evans does to make ``The American Century'' surprising is choose lesser-known archival photographs and stories to illustrate the major events of the last 100 years. In it, there is a telling picture of John F. Kennedy "John Kennedy" and "JFK" redirect here. For other uses, see John Kennedy (disambiguation) and JFK (disambiguation). John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917–November 22, 1963), was the thirty-fifth President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in and Lyndon Johnson taken while they were campaigning in the 1960 election. In it LBJ is gesturing and shouting wildly at an unseen plane to shut its engine down while JFK reaches over to restrain him. The photo is obviously meant to contrast their political styles, but as as you move farther in farther in Of or relating to an option contract with an earlier expiration date than a contract that is currently owned or being considered. the book to a section on the Vietnam War Vietnam War, conflict in Southeast Asia, primarily fought in South Vietnam between government forces aided by the United States and guerrilla forces aided by North Vietnam. , the picture takes on a different meaning. Johnson, as Evans points out, had his doubts about the war but did not want America to be humbled by a ``damn little pissant piss·ant also piss-ant Slang n. 1. One that is insignificant. 2. Obsolete An ant. adj. country.'' You can only wonder if the more restrained Kennedy would have taken a different course. It's items like this that make ``Century'' fascinating. ``Van Gogh's Van Goghs,'' by Richard Kendall (National Gallery of Art/Abrams; $37.50). This book is the companion to the exhibit of the Dutch painter's work that will be at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, also known as LACMA, is the official and world-renowned art museum of the County of Los Angeles, California, located on Wilshire Boulevard along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile vicinity of Los Angeles. in January. The book contains glossy reproductions of the 70 masterpieces from the Van Gogh Museum The Van Gogh Museum is a museum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, featuring the works of the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries. It has the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world. in Amsterdam that will be on display. The collection encompasses all aspects of the artist's career, including such famed works as ``The Potato Eaters,'' ``The Bedroom,'' ``Self Portrait as an Artist,'' ``The Harvest'' and ``Wheatfield With Crows.'' This handsome tome also includes discussions of each work. A can't-miss for art lovers, especially those thousands who already have bought tickets to the LACMA LACMA Los Angeles County Museum of Art LACMA Los Angeles County Medical Association LACMA Latin American and Caribbean Movers Association exhibition. Art books ``Jackson Pollock'' by Kirk Varnedoe with Pepe Karmel. (Museum of Modern Art, New York/distributed by Harry N. Abrams; $75.) This is the accompanying volume to the current major Pollock exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . It includes more than 200 color reproductions of the pioneering abstract expressionist ex·pres·sion·ism n. A movement in the arts during the early part of the 20th century that emphasized subjective expression of the artist's inner experiences. ex·pres works. For those who only see Pollock as the man who created ``drip paintings,'' this volume helps explain his radical experiments, which were attempts to free himself from the formal concerns of his time. ``A World History of Art'' (DK; $59.95). This 720-page volume's survey of art ranges prehistoric to contemporary. It also acknowledges works from non-Western cultures, including Oceania regions and Africa. The color reproduction are sharp. The last chapter, ``The Future of Art,'' attempts to predict directions the art world may take. It's a solid general reference book. ``Louvre Louvre (l  `vrə), foremost French museum of art, located in Paris. The building was a royal fortress and palace built by Philip II in the late 12th cent. : Portrait of a Museum,'' by Nicholas d'Archimbaud (Stewart, Tabori & Chang; $60). The famed Paris museum was built as a fortress in 1190, expanded into a palace, then became a museum in 1792 after the fall of the monarchy. This volume, conceived and photographed by d'Archimbaud, traces the Louvre's history and shows off its many treasures and architecture. ``The Essential'' series are mini-books measuring 6 by 6 inches. The first four titles are ``Jackson Pollock,'' ``Salvador Dali,'' ``Edward Hopper'' and ``Vincent Van Gogh'' (Abrams; $12.95 each). These small volumes give you quick and simple references to the artists and make it easy for you to sound like you know something when you're at a museum. Did you know that Van Gogh used a reed pen to draw with because of his admiration for Rembrandt, who used one 200 years before, and that he thought the Japanese tool exotic. An icebreaker icebreaker, ship of special hull design and wide beam, with relatively flat bottom, designed to force its way through ice. When the icebreaker charges into the ice at full speed, its sharply inclined bow, meeting the edge of the ice, rises upon it, and the weight of if I ever heard one. ``The Prince of Egypt: a New Vision in Animation,'' by Charles Solomon (Abrams; $45). The title is the hype that you would expect to be associated with the highly promoted new film on the biblical story of Moses from DreamWorks. But those who have seen the film know that much of the animation is stunning, and this book, besides glossily reproducing frames from ``Prince,'' also explains its complex and occasionally computerized animation process in detail. Much of the rest of the text is typical movie fluff that can be overlooked. Entertainment ``It Happened on Broadway: an Oral History of the Great White Way,'' by Myrna Katz Frommer and Harvey Frommer (Harcourt Brace; $35). Included in this volume are stories, anecdotes, jokes, recollections and love letters from more than 100 theater professionals - actors, directors, playwrights, composers and choreographers - who talk about the past 60 years of theater. Illustrated with more than 100 black-and-white photos, such luminaries as Celeste Celeste is a woman's first name. Celeste may also refer to: in Music
``The Story of Opera,'' by Richard Somerset-Ward (Abrams; $49.50). The former head of music and arts programming for BBC Television has put together a readable and elegant reference work on opera, from its origins in the 16th century to today. It includes chapters on the great Italian, German, French, English and Russian operas and a brief introduction by diva Kiri Te Kanawa Dame Kiri Janette Te Kanawa, ONZ, AC, DBE, (IPA: /ˈkiːri ˈteɪ ˈkɑːnəwə/, born March 6, 1944) is an internationally famous New Zealand opera singer. . ``Star Wars: the Visual Dictionary'' and ``Star Wars: Incredible Cross Sections'' (DK; $19.95 each). Excitement already is building for the new ``Star Wars'' installment, ``The Phantom Menace,'' set for May, but there is still plenty out there for fans of the first three movies. These two volumes are at the low end price-wise, but for those who want something more substantial, there's the ``Star Wars Encyclopedia'' by Stephen J. Sansweet (Del Rey; $49.95), which has hundreds of entries, or ``Star Wars Masterpiece Edition'' (Chronicle; $75), which traces the history of Darth Vader from before the trilogy and comes with an action figure of the villain. ``Charlton Heston's Hollywood,'' by Charlton Heston (GT; $28). The man who played Moses and Michelangelo looks at his 50 years in film. The volume includes more than 200 photos. ``Bruce Springsteen: Songs,'' by Bruce Springsteen (Avon Books; $50). The ultimate for fans of the Boss. This volume contains the complete collection of Springsteen's recorded album lyrics over 25 years, as well as the rock star's discussion of his inspirations and his relationship with his audience and the role music has played in his life. ``Songs'' includes reproductions of handwritten hand·write tr.v. hand·wrote , hand·writ·ten , hand·writ·ing, hand·writes To write by hand. [Back-formation from handwritten.] Adj. 1. sheets, on which he drafted songs, and numerous photos. ``Superman: The Complete History,'' by Les Daniels (Chronicle; $29.95). A look at the history of the Man of Steel, from his birth as a comic-book hero in the '30s to his TV and movies years. ``The Great Rock Discography dis·cog·ra·phy n. Examination of the intervertebral disk space using x-rays after injection of contrast media into the disk. ,'' by Martin C. Strong (Times Books; $32). Comprehensive listings for music trivia buffs. Space ``NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. and the Exploration of Space,'' by Roger D. Launius and Bertram Ulrich (Stewart, Tabori & Chang; $60). This volume tells the story of United States space exploration with paintings and sketches from from the art collection of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), civilian agency of the U.S. federal government with the mission of conducting research and developing operational programs in the areas of space exploration, artificial satellites (see satellite, artificial), . Among the artists are Peter Hurd, Jamie Wyeth, Robert Rauschenberg, Robert McCall and Norman Rockwell. ``Apollo: An Eyewitness Account by Astronaut/Explorer Artist/Moonwalker Alan Bean,'' by Alan Bean with Andrew Chaikin (The Greenwich Workshop Press; $45). The fourth man to walk on the moon tells his story through his painting. Includes an introduction by another space hero, Sen. John Glenn. History ``The Illustrated Longitude,'' by Dava Sobel and William J.H. Andrews (Walker; $32.95). This is the expanded version of Sobel's critically acclaimed ``Longitude'' that tells the story of John Harrison ``who solved the greatest scientific problem of his time'' by building a clock that kept precise time at sea (a chronometer chronometer (krənŏm`ətər), instrument for keeping highly accurate time, used especially in navigation. Before the advent of radio time signals it was the only device that provided the time accurately enough for a ship at sea to ). The illustrations, photos and maps are a welcome addition to Sobel's lively prose. ``Lewis & Clark: Voyage of Discovery,'' by Stephen Ambrose, photos by Sam Abell (National Geographic Society National Geographic Society U.S. scientific society founded in 1888 in Washington, D.C., by a small group of eminent explorers and scientists “for the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge. ; $40). This book retraces the explorers' expedition to open the American West. Noted historian Ambrose retraced their footsteps 190 years later, and Abell took some grand photos. The volume also includes dozens of reproductions of historic photos, paintings and maps. ``Lost Ships: The Discovery and Exploration of the Ocean's Sunken Treasures,'' by Mensun Bound (Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster U.S. publishing company. It was founded in 1924 by Richard L. Simon (1899–1960) and M. Lincoln Schuster (1897–1970), whose initial project, the original crossword-puzzle book, was a best-seller. Editions; $35). Bound, a professor of marine archeology at Oxford University, is both a diver and art historian, so many of his stories are personal encounters with the shipwrecks This list of shipwrecks is of those ships whose have been located. Africa East Africa
``The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition,'' by Caroline Alexander (Knopf; $29.95). Alexander tells the compelling story of British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton's doom expedition to the South Pole. Among the crew was photographer Frank Hurley, who took some startling star·tle v. star·tled, star·tling, star·tles v.tr. 1. To cause to make a quick involuntary movement or start. 2. To alarm, frighten, or surprise suddenly. See Synonyms at frighten. shots of the men's ordeal that are used to illustrate this book. ``America 1900: The Turning Point,'' by Judy Crichton (Henry Holt; $29.95). This is the companion to the PBS PBS in full Public Broadcasting Service Private, nonprofit U.S. corporation of public television stations. PBS provides its member stations, which are supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials, with educational, cultural, documentary that aired in November. It is a beautifully illustrated account of this country as it moved into a new century. As we are about do so again, the concerns of that time seem familiar. ``Death in Paradise: An Illustrated History of the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner,'' by Tony Blanche and Brad Schreiber (GPG GPG GNU Privacy Guard GPG Global Public Goods GPG Gas Powered Games (Redmond, WA) GPG Good Practice Guide (UK Carbon trust publications) GPG Guinness Peat Group Plc GPG Grams Per Gallon ; $24.95). A little macabre for the holidays perhaps, but this behind-the-scenes look at some to the cases - from the Black Dahlia to the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson Nicole Brown Simpson (May 19, 1959 – June 12, 1994) was the wife of American football player O.J. Simpson. Found murdered at her home in Los Angeles, California, along with her friend Ronald Goldman, her death led to one of the most controversial and widely-discussed criminal - that have passed through the L.A. County coroner's office is luridly engaging. Photography ``Life Photographers: What They Saw,'' by John Loengard (Bulfinch; $35). Starting with Alfred Eisenstaedt, Life magazine has employed some of the best photographers of this century. In this volume, 38 of them tell their stories and the stories of many of the most compelling photos in history. ``Twins,'' photographs by David Fields and essays by Ruth and Rachel Sandweiss (Running Press; $27.50). A book for those who like to see double. Includes photos of Muhammad Ali and his twin daughters, as well as Jane Seymour's children. ``Eye of the Beholder: Photography of James Stanfeld'' (National Geographic; $40). More than three decades of extraordinary color pictures from the award-winning photographer. Miscellaneous ``The New York Public Library New York Public Library, free library supported by private endowments and gifts and by the city and state of New York. It is the one of largest libraries in the world. Desk Reference - Third Edition'' (MacMillan; $34.95). It's been updated. Everybody could use one. ``The Emperor's New Clothes'' (Harcourt Brace & Co.; $35). Celebrities from Steven Spielberg to Liam Neeson to Dr. Ruth to Robin Williams retell re·tell tr.v. re·told , re·tell·ing, re·tells 1. To relate or tell again or in a different form. 2. To count again. Verb 1. the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen in their own words. Includes an audio version on CD. Proceeds go to the Starlight Foundation, a charity to aid hospitalized children. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Even if you intend to pick up one particular title, taking some time out to wander among the aisles, picking up the books and turning the pages can get you lost in something other than madness. David Sprague/Daily News |
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