Collection: Art

How many women artists do you know? Who makes art history? Did women even work as artists before the twentieth century? And what is the Baroque anyway?

Guided by Katy Hessel, art historian and founder of @thegreatwomenartists, discover the glittering paintings by Sofonisba Anguissola of the Renaissance, the radical work of Harriet Powers in the nineteenth-century United States and the artist who really invented the "readymade." Explore the Dutch Golden Age, the astonishing work of postwar artists in Latin America, and the women defining art in the 2020s. Have your sense of art history overturned and your eyes opened to many artforms often ignored or dismissed. From the Cornish coast to Manhattan, Nigeria to Japan, this is the history of art as it's never been told before.

In the heart of mid-1960s New York, Robert embarks on his freshman year at the School of Visual Arts, where he is introduced to the iconic Andy Warhol and his menagerie of fabulous crackpots. Robert finds another home in Max's Kansas City, the pulsating core of the city's creative underbelly, with superstars burning so bright they self-destruct right before his eyes.

Malcolm Morley, Robert's former instructor, secures a prestigious commission to paint England's Prime Minister and invites Robert to join him as an assistant. Robert's European escapades are filled with serendipitous meetings and collaborations with a cast of characters as vivid and dynamic as any he'd encountered in New York.

This speeding bullet thrill ride continues throughout Robert's career on Madison Avenue, becoming an executive creative director on top of his game at a world-acclaimed advertising agency, and he's front and center with the famous: Jennifer Connelly, Jerry Hall, Mick Jagger, Antonio Lopez, Bill King, Truman Capote, and more. A twist of fate introduces him to Don Hall, the love of his life, with whom he builds a remarkable existence. Together they become a major force in the fight against AIDS until tragedy strikes, leaving Robert to navigate the depths of grief and rediscover his purpose in Los Angeles.

With a twisted sense of humor and love for the absurd, Robert faces life's harshest trials-including multiple battles with cancer, surviving a cult kidnapping, and enduring the agony of loss during the AIDS crisis-his indomitable spirit and quirky humor seeing him through. Through a series of astoundingly outrageous and unexpected events, fueled by his unwavering dedication to his loved ones, Robert finds a reason to fight and move forward, determined to overcome his biggest challenge: to free himself from grief's paralyzing static, clinging to his soul.

Joan Didion is revealed at last in this outrageously provocative and profoundly moving new work "that reads like a propulsive novel" (Oprah Daily) on the mutual attractions--and mutual antagonisms--of Didion and her fellow literary titan, Eve Babitz.

Could you write what you write if you weren't so tiny, Joan? --Eve Babitz, in a letter to Joan Didion, 1972

Joan Didion, revealed at last...

Eve Babitz died on December 17, 2021. Found in the wrack, ruin, and filth of her apartment, a stack of boxes packed by her mother decades before. The boxes were pristine, the seals of duct tape unbroken. Inside, a lost world. This world turned for a certain number of years in the late sixties and early seventies, and centered on a two-story rental in a down-at-heel section of Hollywood. 7406 Franklin Avenue, a combination salon-hotbed-living end where writers and artists mixed with movie stars, rock 'n' rollers, and drug trash.

7406 Franklin Avenue was the making of one great American writer: Joan Didion, a mystery behind her dark glasses and cool expression; an enigma inside her storied marriage to John Gregory Dunne, their union as tortured as it was enduring. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the breaking and then the remaking--and thus the true making--of another great American writer: Eve Babitz, goddaughter of Igor Stravinsky, nude of Marcel Duchamp, consort of Jim Morrison (among many, many others), a woman who burned so hot she finally almost burned herself alive. Didion and Babitz formed a complicated alliance, a friendship that went bad, amity turning to enmity.

Didion, in spite of her confessional style, is so little known or understood. She's remained opaque, elusive. Until now.

With deftness and skill, journalist Lili Anolik uses Babitz, Babitz's brilliance of observation, Babitz's incisive intelligence, and, most of all, Babitz's diary-like letters--letters found in those sealed boxes, letters so intimate you don't read them so much as breathe them--as the key to unlocking Didion.

A stunningly intimate exploration of the writer and gay cultural icon and of his lifelong search for authenticity.

The story of Christopher Isherwood's life is one of pilgrimage: away from the constraints of inheritance and empire and toward authenticity and spiritual illumination. Isherwood--the author of Goodbye to Berlin, which inspired Cabaret, and A Single Man--was born the heir to a crumbling English estate. He died an icon of gay liberation in California while his partner of thirty years, Don Bachardy, painted his death portrait.

Isherwood began his career depicting the psychological wreckage of World War I. While living in Berlin, he began to write his reputation-making fiction and (with W. H. Auden) plays inspired by the city's nightlife, its artistic underbelly, its fevered politics. When Hitler took power, he fled with his German boyfriend, who was pursued and arrested by the Gestapo. Isherwood left Europe and found work as a screenwriter in Hollywood, where he became the disciple of a Hindu monk, Swami Prabhavananda. Together they translated the Bhagavad Gita.

Isherwood shed his family ghosts and became a chief instigator of the cultural shift that made gay liberation possible. Every step of the journey served his writing; one of our greatest diarists, he recorded his experiences and transformed them in fiction and memoir. Katherine Bucknell charts the quest of the restless, penetrating, blackly comic mind through books, films, foreign lands, love affairs, and collaborations toward self-understanding and happiness. Here is Christopher Isherwood Inside Out.

From the creator of the acclaimed country music history podcast Cocaine & Rhinestones, comes the epic American saga of country music's legendary royal couple--George Jones and Tammy Wynette.

By the early 1960s nearly everybody paying attention to country music agreed that George Jones was the greatest country singer of all time. After taking honky-tonk rockers like "White Lightning" all the way up the country charts, he revealed himself to be an unmatched virtuoso on "She Thinks I Still Care," thus cementing his status as a living legend. That's where the trouble started. Only at this new level of fame did Jones realize he suffered from extreme stage fright. His method of dealing with that involved great quantities of alcohol, which his audience soon discovered as Jones more often than not showed up to concerts falling-down drunk or failed to show up at all. But the fans always forgave him because he just kept singing so damn good. Then he got married to Tammy Wynette right around the time she became one of the most famous women alive with the release of "Stand by Your Man."

Tammy Wynette grew up believing George Jones was the greatest country singer of all time. After deciding to become a country singer herself, she went to Nashville, got a record deal, then met and married her hero. With the pop crossover success of "Stand by Your Man" (and the international political drama surrounding the song's lyrics) came a gigantic audience, who were sold a fairy tale image of a couple soon being called The King and Queen of Country Music. Many fans still believe that fairy tale today. The behind-the-scenes truth is very different from the images shown on album covers.

Illustrated throughout by singular artist Wayne White, Cocaine & Rhinestones is an unprecedented look at the lives of two indelible country icons, reframing their careers within country music as well as modern history itself.

The continuing collection of classical nude photographs by photographer Anthony Timiraos. One year after the release of his first book "expose" Mr. Timiraos now releases "expose more" and continues to display his rich collection of over 200 pages of full color nude photo of over 30 different models. As in his first book, photos are shot in the style of Old Master's paintings, the artists' collection of nude photographs provides a diverse look at the male bodies positioned in classical poses. His diversity of models is unique, not just diversity of race and ethnicity but of age, body type and most significantly, diversity of culture. The author introduces you to each model with a short narrative providing the reader enough facts to connect the art to the individual on the page. His intention is to make you feel and appreciate the same emotions he felt in the studio when he photographed the model in this beautiful art form, the classical nude.

SIGN OF LIFE is a stage play in two acts. This dark comedy is a story of unlikely, yet lasting friendships; of loss and love and the need for emotional and physical human interaction. A lonely gay man, who suffers from a borderline personality disorder; his best friend, who truly loves him and the hustler from upstairs in need of an escape from an abusive relationship come together on an unforgettable and touching New Year's Eve. At its' core, SIGN OF LIFE is a play about abuse; about people who abuse themselves; about people who abuse others; and about people who allow themselves to be abused. The play requires three actors (2M, 1F) and takes place on a single, unit set. SIGN OF LIFE is for mature audiences. It contains strong adult content, nudity, marijuana smoking and a scene of self-harm.

"A boisterous debut ... the authors are as funny as one would expect ... this is a hoot." ―Publishers Weekly

"Will entice fans of Key & Peele ... a fun and funny primer on the art form." ―Booklist

Authors Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key build on the popularity of their 2022 Webby Award-winning podcast and delve deeper into the world of sketch, helped along with new essays created expressly for the book by comedy greats.

The History of Sketch Comedy will appeal to all kinds of comedy fans as well as fans of Keegan-Michael Key, whether they know him from his Emmy and Peabody-winning work on Key & Peele; his roles in Fargo, The Prom, Schmigadoon!, The Bubble, and the upcoming Wonka; voiceover work in The Lion King; or as President Barack Obama's anger translator, Luther.

With epic personal tangents and hilarious asides, the Keys take you on an illuminating journey through all facets of comedy from the stock characters of commedia del arte in the 16th century, to the rise of vaudeville and burlesque, the golden age of television comedy, the influence of the most well-known comedy schools, and the ascension of comedy films and TV specials--all the way through to a look at the future of sketch on social media platforms. Along the way, we hear tales of Keegan's childhood, his comedy influences, and the vicissitudes of his career path. As the New York Times said in its review of their podcast, "this comedy nerd history is filtered through memoir, with Key relating stories of his budding fandom, training and rise from improv comic to television sketch artist."

Part memoir, part masterclass, and hilariously embellished with priceless commentary, The History of Sketch Comedy highlights the essential building blocks of sketch comedy while interweaving Keegan's personal career journey and the influence of his comedy heroes. The text is complemented by original art by Elle Key and exclusive essays compiled from conversations with influential performers, sketch writers, and uber comedy fans including Mel Brooks, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mike Myers, Chris Rock, John Oliver, Tracy Morgan, Carol Burnett, Jim Carrey, Jordan Peele, and many more. This book is as entertaining as it is enlightening--a must-read for fans of comedy and all who aspire to comic greatness.

EXPANDING THE HIT PODCAST: With content from the #1 trending, NAACP-award-nominated and Webby-Award-winning Audible podcast, and featuring new-for-the-book material as well as never-before-heard stories and essays, this book will be a hit for newcomers and avid listeners of the podcast alike.

MASTER OF THE MEDIUM: Keegan-Michael Key is a bona fide maestro of comedy, with the chops, experience, and love for the history of the medium that make him the perfect expert on all things sketch. As co-writer Elle Key likes to say, "If Keegan-Michael Key was a guest lecturer at NYU teaching a course called 'The History of Sketch Comedy, ' it would be a very popular class."

EXCLUSIVE ESSAYS: Keegan and Elle interviewed over a dozen comedy legends exclusively for this book, and got their takes on topics ranging from the influence of Saturday Night Live, to women in comedy, to the mathematics of sketch. Hear, in their own words, from Mel Brooks, Mike Myers, Jordan Peele, Julia-Louis Dreyfus, John Oliver, Tracy Morgan, Stephen Colbert, Carol Burnett, Chris Rock, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Birbiglia, Matt Lucas, Ken Jeong, Christopher Guest, Gary Oldman, Kevin Nealon, Laraine Newman, and Jim Carrey.

GIFTABLE VOLUME OF COMEDY GOLD: Original illustrations and personal photographs throughout make this unique comedy book as visually entertaining as it is enlightening. The perfect gift for comedy fans of all ages as well as anyone aspiring to write, perform, or produce comedic art.

Perfect for:

• Comedy lovers of all kinds
• Fans of Key & Peele
• Fans of improv, sketch, stand-up, and shows like SNL, MadTV, Monty Python, and Mr. Show
• Gift giving or self-purchase for established and aspiring comedians
• Readers of such bestsellers as Bossypants, Yes Please, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Born Standing Up, and Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama

- Stunning images of global phenomenon Taylor Swift

- Revealing fashion insights from the bestselling author of Harry Styles and the Clothes He Wears and Rihanna and the Clothes She Wears

- Elegant hardback presentation including real cloth cover

- The perfect present for fans and fashionistas

Taylor Swift is the quintessential millennial. Free-thinking and creative, she navigates pop stardom with boundless charisma and a keen eye on her digital presence. She has become a truly global phenomenon but remains intimately connected with her fans. A born storyteller, her outfits mark the different phases of her whirlwind life every bit as clearly as her songs. From cowboy boots to cottage-core, Saint Laurent to sci-fi, onstage and on the street, her clothes are always carefully chosen to match the moment. These pages reveal those moments in gorgeous photographic detail with reliably astute analysis from the author of Harry Styles and the Clothes He Wears. The latest in a popular celebrity fashion series, this book charts the style evolution of a hyper-chic superstar at the vanguard of 21st-century culture.

Quickly learn the basics of exposure, composition, and your camera so you can capture great photos!

Designed for photographers who haven't fully conquered their camera or the photographic fundamentals of exposure and composition, this handy and ultra-portable quick reference Pocket Guide helps you get the shot when you're out and about.

- Confirm that your camera is set up properly with the pre-shoot checklist

- Learn about the three key components of exposure--aperture, shutter speed, and ISO

- Conquer the essential camera modes and settings you need to know

- Understand lenses and focal length--and how they affect the look of your image

- Use the most effective composition tips for framing your photo

- Follow techniques for getting great shots in typical scenarios (portrait, landscape, freezing action, low light, etc.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01: Pre-Shoot Checklist

02: Exposure Basics

03: Setting Up Your Camera

04: Lenses and Focal Length

05: Advanced Shooting Techniques

06: Composition Tips

07: Typical Shooting Scenarios

Hours of Fun-Filled Facts & Trivia Questions! - Special Launch Price

This trivia book begins with the precursors to musical theatre throughout the world and narrows to the island we will come back to time and time again: Manhattan. We explore each thrilling decade and then cover grader topics that span the years. Each chapter begins with a series of multiple-choice and true or false questions with the answers following on the next page. After testing your knowledge, peruse the "Did you know" Section for quirky anecdotes, fun facts, and important records to addd to your knowledge.

Grab a copy and test yourself on your knowledge of Broadway Theatre!

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - More than one million copies sold! A "brilliant" (Lupita Nyong'o, Time), "poignant" (Entertainment Weekly), "soul-nourishing" (USA Today) memoir about coming of age during the twilight of apartheid

"Noah's childhood stories are told with all the hilarity and intellect that characterizes his comedy, while illuminating a dark and brutal period in South Africa's history that must never be forgotten."--Esquire

Winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor and an NAACP Image Award - Named one of the best books of the year by The New York Time, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, Esquire, Newsday, and Booklist

Trevor Noah's unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents' indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away. Finally liberated by the end of South Africa's tyrannical white rule, Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle.

Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man's relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother--his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life.

The stories collected here are by turns hilarious, dramatic, and deeply affecting. Whether subsisting on caterpillars for dinner during hard times, being thrown from a moving car during an attempted kidnapping, or just trying to survive the life-and-death pitfalls of dating in high school, Trevor illuminates his curious world with an incisive wit and unflinching honesty. His stories weave together to form a moving and searingly funny portrait of a boy making his way through a damaged world in a dangerous time, armed only with a keen sense of humor and a mother's unconventional, unconditional love.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER USA TODAY BESTSELLER

The best things in life are really not that fancy. This photo-driven book featuring all-things-Reba invites you to get back to the basics of life: fun, food, friends, and family. In her first book in over two decades, actress and country music legend Reba McEntire takes you behind the scenes and shares the stories, recipes, and Oklahoma-style truths that guide her life.

The perfect gift for anyone who loves down-home recipes, the western lifestyle, heartwarming stories, and a good laugh from the Queen of Country!

FROM REBA:

"To me, there's nothing better than sitting on the back porch looking out at the land that goes on for miles. A beautiful sunset and then me, just sipping on a glass of iced tea (or whiskey and Sprite) with my friends and family. I don't know what heaven's going to look like, but I hope it feels like Oklahoma. Throw in some beans and cornbread, and I'm all set.

"Okies know that the secret to a good life is to keep things simple and be thankful for what the good Lord's given you. That's what I want to get back to. Simple fun, hard work, good food, and laughing with those you love. Everything I'm doing in my life from here on out--personal or professional, doesn't matter--I'm going to have fun.

"That's what I'm sharing in this book--some simple, not-that-fancy truths I live by and a bunch of good stories, photos, and recipes that go along with them. So if you're looking to slow down, get back to basics, and have a heckuva lot of fun, I think we're going to have a good time together in these pages. Come on in, kick off your boots (or leave them on, I don't care), and learn how to bring a little bit of my downhome-inspired life into your own."

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Not That Fancy includes:

• Nearly 200 photographs from Reba's childhood, career, and personal life--many of which are straight from Reba's phone
• Never-before-told stories from rodeoing with her family to pranks with Brooks & Dunn to falling in love over a plate of tater tots
• Behind-the-scenes anecdotes from her music and acting career, with inspiration on how to follow your passion, trust your gut, and take a chance on yourself
• More than 60 recipes of appetizers, mains, sides, desserts, and cocktails from Reba's personal kitchen, from friends and family, and from her restaurant, Reba's Place
• Lighthearted lifestyle tips on how to achieve Reba's signature hairstyle, plan a down-to-earth date night, throw an effortless dinner party, and more

Not That Fancy is the perfect deluxe gift for Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and special occasions. This keepsake book is ideal for Reba fans, country music lovers, or anyone who enjoys an easygoing western lifestyle.

Paint jolly holiday fun with stickers (including glitter stickers)!

Step 1: Find the sticker
Step 2: Peel the sticker
Step 3: Place the sticker
...and watch your Christmas painting come to life!

Includes everything you need to create ten sticker paintings on study card stock. Plus, all the pages are perforated--making it easy to tear out each finished work to frame and share!

Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography about Taylor Swift, the Grammy Award-winning and multiplatinum artist. Little Golden Book biographies are the perfect introduction to nonfiction for young readers--as well as fans of all ages!

"A must-have for any Taylor Swift collection." --Rolling Stone

This Little Golden Book about Taylor Swift--the singer and songwriter whose distinctive talent for storytelling has made her one of the biggest superstars in both country and pop music--is an inspiring read-aloud for young children as well as their Swiftie parents!

Look for more Little Golden Book biographies:
- Willie Nelson
- Beyoncé
- Dolly Parton
- Tony Bennett