Category Archives: Books

New Photography Books: “Paris Chic” (Assouline)

Paris is the city of chic—and as such, its innate style shines throughout the city, even in the simplest spaces. Quaint bistros, picturesque alleyways, artists’ studios and unique characters are elevated to a modern-day genre painting when set in Paris. From skateboarders to antiquarians, this volume is a glimpse into Parisian life, as if peering over the edge of the balcony at your own pied-a-terre.

Collaboratively, author Alexandra Senes and photographer Oliver Pilcher open the doors to some of the most sophisticated homes in Paris, sharing an intimate portrait of various families. The quiet, daily moments of Parisian life are eternalized through Pilcher’s lens. Monuments don’t make a city; the people do.

Authors

Born in Scotland, Oliver Pilcher studied sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art before embarking on a photographic career that has taken him all around the world and given him the opportunity to shoot for some of the world’s finest brands. Oliver has been a contributing photographer at Condé Nast Traveler for over ten years. He currently divides his time between New York and Costa Rica with his wife, Abigail and their four children, Andalucia, Bianca, Constantina, and Herbie.

Alexandra Senes is a citizen of the world, as she feels at home anywhere; a real asteroid with no jet lag. Senes spent her childhood in her native Senegal after which she moved to New York and then Paris. She worked as a journalist for over 20 years, including 8 years as the founder and editor-in-chief of Jalouse Magazine. In 2015, Senes started her journey with Kilometre, a brand that makes our imaginations go wild, drifting into far-off and unexplored places-shirts and home goods adorned with hand embroidery inspired by up-and-coming travel destinations.

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Outdoor Travel Books: “Nordic Cycle” (Gestalten)

Ride through the fairytale-like snowy plains of the Nordic lands, where signs of civilization appear vanished. This journey combines radical touring, camping, and cooking the best of what local nature has to offer.

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By taking on some of the most treasured biking trails and terrains across the Nordic landscape, this book is a seated journey of discovery and escapism across a vast scenery set to inspire your next trip.

Nordic Cycle is an exploration of regions, people, and food on a mountain bike, with stunning photography and aerial shots. Discover illustrated maps and routes, follow the path of Tobias Woggon in his adventure and learn over 20 recipes with step-by-step instructions, paying homage to the local cuisine across the Nordics.

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Travel & Literature Books: “Borges And Me” By Jay Parini – “A Vivid Road Trip”

An apprentice writer has an entirely unexpected encounter with literary genius Jorge Luis Borges that will profoundly alter his life and work. A poignant and comic literary coming-of-age memoir. “This is a jewel of a book.” –Ian McEwan

New Architecture Books: “Living In The Mountains”

A breathtaking survey of contemporary homes, each with a deep connection to the landscapes and vistas of the mountains. 

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Phaidon Press LogoWhether snow-capped, rocky, or covered with verdant forest, the sublime wilderness of mountains has inspired humans for millennia. Offering respite from urban living and a profound connection to nature, mountain landscapes also present unique challenges that have resulted in innovative, resourceful, and beautiful residential architecture. Living in the Mountains is the definitive global tour, showcasing the finest examples of architect-designed homes, whether furnished with impressive views, offering protection from harsh environments, or simply reveling in their extraordinary altitude.

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Video Interviews: 71-Year Old Welsh Author Ken Follett On His Writing

Ken Follett, international best-selling author and one of the world’s best-loved novelists, joined Reverend Hilary De Lyon (RSM Vice-President) for a lively discussion about his work, including the variety of different kinds of novels he has written, from the longevity and international success of his first novel Eye of the Needle and the later The Pillars of the Earth, to his latest book A Column of Fire; and what inspires him in the creative process of developing exciting plots in many different historical settings. The RSM’s In Conversation Live series offers the opportunity to get first-hand insights into the lives and thoughts of high profile individuals through an intimate, relaxed and entertaining setting, direct to your living room.

Kenneth Martin Follett, CBE, FRSL is a Welsh author of thrillers and historical novels who has sold more than 160 million copies of his works. Many of his books have achieved high ranking on best seller lists.

Newly Released Art Books: “Van Gogh – The Complete Paintings” (Taschen)

This comprehensive study of Vincent van Gogh offers a complete catalogue of his 871 paintings, alongside writings and essays, charting the life and work of a master who continues to tower over art to this day.

TASCHEN

Today, the works of Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) are among the most well known and celebrated in the world. In paintings such as SunflowersThe Starry Night, and Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, we recognize an artist uniquely dexterous in the representation of texture and mood, light and place.

Yet in his lifetime, van Gogh battled not only the disinterest of his contemporary audience but also devastating bouts of mental illness. His episodes of depression and anxiety would eventually claim his life, when, in 1890, he committed suicide shortly after his 37th birthday.

The authors

Ingo F. Walther (1940–2007) was born in Berlin and studied medieval studies, literature, and art history in Frankfurt am Main and Munich. He published numerous books on the art of the Middle Ages and of the 19th and 20th centuries. Walther’s many titles for TASCHEN include Vincent van Gogh, Pablo PicassoArt of the 20th Century, and Codices illustres.

Rainer Metzger studied art history, history, and German literature in Munich and Augsburg. In 1994, he earned his Ph.D. on the subject of Dan Graham, and subsequently worked as a fine arts journalist for the Viennese newspaper Der Standard. He has written numerous books on art, including volumes on van Gogh and Chagall. Since 2004, he has worked as Professor of art history at the Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe.

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History Of Auto Design: The Family Origins Of The “Porsche 911” (Gestalten)

GestaltenWhen Ferdinand Alexander Porsche entered the family business in 1958, he filled an unknown vacuum. An experimental visionary who wanted to challenge tradition, he elevated the design legacy of this famous German brand. From working in the engineering office to craftily creating an icon amongst sportscars, writer Ulf Porschardt reveals how Ferdinand Alexander’s sketches evolved to become a cultural symbol.

Count Goertz designed a prestigious, muscular sports car for the Zuffenhausen-based company that was more reminiscent of a Ferrari or a Maserati…

The Goertzian design was in love with the grand gesture. The same year Roland Barthes declared the car to be the equivalent of the great Gothic cathedrals, and in his popular and shamelessly cited work Mythologies, considered it a major creation of the epoch, passionately conceived by numerous nameless artists. In the style of pop art, Barthes enacted an intellectual and cultural upgrading of the automobile, without the hyper-modern pathos of the futurists.

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New Photography Books: “Quiet Light” By Adam Gibbs

Photography is all about light. Light is the key to creating mood, dimension, and often is the main subject of the photograph itself.

“Quiet Light” is my homage to the main ingredient that makes an image, light.

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In this book, I share over two decades of my nature photography from around the globe. For me, the enjoyment of photography doesn’t necessarily come from the final image; the joy comes from discovery, exploration and ultimately chasing the light. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I have experienced in creating them.

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New Travel Guide Videos: “San Francisco” (Monocle)

Poised on the Californian peninsula, San Francisco is an energetic enclave with a storied libertine history, undeniable entrepreneurial fervor, and vibrant cultural patronage. It may be known for its thriving technology sector, but look beyond the numbers and you’ll find a dynamic urban offering, complete with easygoing charm and dramatic natural beauty.

Website

New Architecture Books: “Zaha Hadid – Complete Works” (Taschen)

Zaha Hadid was a revolutionary architect. For years, she was widely acclaimed and won numerous prizes despite building practically nothing. Some even said her work was simply impossible to build. Yet, during the latter years of her life, Hadid’s daring visions became a reality, bringing a new and unique architectural language to cities and structures such as the Port House in Antwerp, the Al Janoub Stadium near Doha, Qatar, and the spectacular new airport terminal in Beijing.

TASCHEN

By her untimely death in 2016, Hadid was firmly established among architecture’s finest elite, working on projects in Europe, China, the Middle East, and the United States. She was the first female architect to win both the Pritzker Prize for architecture and the prestigious RIBA Royal Gold Medal, with her long-time Partner Patrik Schumacher now the leader of Zaha Hadid Architects and in charge of many new projects.

Based on the massive TASCHEN monograph, this book is now available in an extensively updated and accessible edition covering Hadid’s complete works, including ongoing projects. With abundant photographs, in-depth sketches, and Hadid’s own drawings, the volume traces the evolution of her career, spanning not only her most pioneering buildings but also the furniture and interior designs that were integrated into her unique, and distinctly 21st-century, universe.

The author

Philip Jodidio studied art history and economics at Harvard, and edited Connaissance des Arts for over 20 years. His TASCHEN books include the Architecture Now! series and monographs on Tadao Ando, Santiago Calatrava, Renzo Piano, Jean Nouvel, Shigeru Ban, Richard Meier, and Zaha Hadid.

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