Thomas B. Allen Books

In this darkly delightful first monograph--also a board book--Thomas Allen selects the pulpiest of pulp paperbacks and then lovingly slices out a figure from the cover, gently folds it into position and constructs a witty and oftentimes suggestive scene around it. In "Thirst," a sultry dame reaches from her cover toward a guy with a bottle on a nearby volume; in "Teeter," a man careens toward the edge of a stack of paperbacks, ready to topple. Dogs howl; ships sail; punches fly.Inspired by a love of pop-up books, Hollywood noir, westerns and pulp fiction, Allen revels in the different roles he must play to create his scenarios: "In addition to being a photographer, I play talent scout, casting director, stage manager, lighting supervisor and film editor." Once his original tableaux are perfectly composed, he photographs them in shallow focus, rendering his prints with the dreamy effect of the classic View-Master stereoscopic toy, which has been a long-time inspiration. From femmes fatales to hard-boiled gumshoes, Allen's newly enlivened characters seem to burst from the hefty boards of this almost toylike book, apparently unable to contain themselves. Uncovered includes an introduction by Chip Kidd, one of the most innovative graphic designers working today. Kidd has used Allen's work in many cover designs, including a series of James Ellroy novels.

With updated content and the addition of four recently established parks, the "National Geographic's Guide to the National Parks" features 450 full-color maps; sidebars; regional maps that indicate highways, access roads, and other sites; and excursions to 140 nearby natural sites. Arranged by region, this perennial favorite opens with a brief profile and map, followed by individual park descriptions.

Chronicles the Persian Gulf War and events leading up to it and includes images from CNN files

Visual history of National Geographic photography from the beginning to 1981.

Chronicles the history of international espionage, from ancient times to the present day.

Revealing a secret World War II invasion plan that would have meant destruction worse than that caused by the atomic bombs, acclaimed military authors examine a plan code-named Downfall that would have turned Japan into a wasteland. 25,000 first printing.

Packed with more colour photographs and detailed maps than any other parks guidebook on the market, the National Geographic Guide to National Parks of the United States has been fully updated with comprehensive information, and it acts as a practical guide to the crown jewels of the national parks system the 58 scenic national parks that conserve and protect the flora and fauna in some of America's last wilderness areas.