"Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering." - T. R.
Colonel Roosevelt ($20) is the last and final installment of a trilogy of biographies written by Edmund Morris detailing the life of one of America’s greatest presidents and men. If you haven’t read the other titles which include the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt and Theodore Rex, we would encourage you to start [...]
Don't Try These Shots at Home
Outdoor lovers are well aware of Patagonia as a brand, and have probably spent plenty of time browsing through the companies unique and decidely epic catalogs. Unexpected: 30 Years of Patagonia Catalog Photography ($49) is compendium of over 100+ images submitted by customers and professional wilderness photographers over the last 30 years (of which they [...]
If His Albums Were the Blueprint, Consider this the Drafting Table
Hip-hop may not be for everyone, but that hasn’t stopped Jay-Z from becoming a household name. Though his rise to fame stems through rapping, Mr. “I’m not a business-man. I’m a business…man” has earned praise from plenty of those outside the game, including Warren Buffet. So when a mind like that puts its attention towards [...]
All the Food That's Worthy to Print
Cookbooks may not be the first thing you’re looking to whip out your wallet for, but having few around is certainly something we’d recommend. Especially if you hope to pull off a home-cooked meal at some point to prove your not completely worthless. Luckily, New York Times food columnist Amanda Hesser has put together a [...]
Because Jack Sparrow Isn't Always a Reliable Source
Few people on the planet have ever epitomized rock and roll like Keith Richards. That’s one of the reasons why his long-awaited memoir Life ($16) is a must read. Filled with Keith’s surprisingly crystal clear recollections about the genesis of classics like “Ruby Tuesday” and “Gimme Shelter”, consider it a rare look into the special [...]
Learn More About the Directors You Love
The Masters of Cinema Seriesare essential introductions to the world’s most renowned directors. Each book is written by contributors to the famous Cahiers du Cinéma magazine, and feature over a 100 images of film stills, set photographs, and posters — many of which have never been seen. Organized chronologically, film lovers can also read brief [...]
What Animators Create in Their Spare Time
There’s no doubt that the creative minds behind blockbuster feature animations like Kung Fu Panda, The Lord of the Rings Two Towers, and Finding Nemo are incredibly talented. But, do you ever find yourself wondering how these artists use their skills when they’re not doodling Scottish ogres? Reading Moonshine: Dreamworks Artists… After Dark! ($14) is [...]
Why Mock One Country When You Can Take On The World?
Earth: A Visitor’s Guide to the Human Race ($15) is like Jon Stewart’s previous book America (The Book), except, instead of ripping on the good ol’ US of A, The Daily Show has the entire planet in their irreverent and witty sights. Filled with page after page of hilarious infographics mocking just about every aspect [...]
Because Somebody Already Probably Said It Best
Feeling like your title as resident movie expert is in doubt? Then a quick read through a copy of the Cult Movie Quote Book ($10) should help you set the record straight. Filled with quotes from must see films like Easy Rider, Taxi Driver, Alfie, and the original Italian Job, it’s a perfect gift for [...]
Better, Badder, Guidebook
For some, a vacation is supposed to be an adventure, and nothing’s worse than realizing you’ve spent your hard-earned dough and precious holiday time in a tourist trap. That’s why Rough Guides were developed. If you’re looking to go off the beaten path, these guides are the perfect travel companion for a news and picture [...]
It's Biblical
The absurdist humor of the Brits is the stuff of Pythonic legend, and it lives on in the pages of this brilliant piece of literature: Britain’s traditional traffic handbook as reinvented by the boys of Top Gear. Filled with unbridled sarcasm, general silliness, and automotive expertise, you need only peruse the index to find page [...]
Operation Red Wings and the Life of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, US Navy Seal
Though the expression is cliché, the freedom that we enjoy in America has always come at a high price. Gary William’s biography of Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy, posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, and Purple Heart, is a meditation on the sacrifice and dedication exhibited by those who have served [...]
Eyesores, Eye Wonders, and Everything In Between
$60 By Kevin Zack
Because It's No Longer Just a Past Time
Whether you’re aware of it or not, there’s a growing debate in the U.S. over food. Led by writers like Michael Pollan, the so-called “Food Movement” questions America’s dietary habits and the production practices we’ve adopted to sustain them. In a similar vein, the New York Times seafood writer (yes they actually have one on [...]
Get Your Doc Brown On
D.I.Y.ers, builders, geeks, mechanics, wood workers, and all around fiddlers aren’t the type who normally need an excuse to find something to do. In the rare instance that your creation queue is dwindling though, picking up a copy of The Best of Make ($24) should keep you busy for at least a week or two. [...]
