In our second volume, we bring the next batch of books we think any guy will absolutely love. Our 100 Of The Best Books for Men Vol. 2 has some great books like Penthouse 40Th Anniversary Book, The Dc Vault, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase For Lincoln’s Killer, And The Ninja Handbook. If you love reading you’ll love our selection below. And if you have time check out our first volume of 100 linked below.
Related: 100 OF THE BEST BOOKS FOR MEN VOL. 1
If you’re looking for the ultimate companion to the NBA that exists today then this is it. Indispensable and packed with amazing illustrations, this is a veritable Rosetta Stone of roundball which hilariously decodes the tendencies and trends of modern pro basketball. The NBA is bursting with charismatic characters, a crackling aesthetic intrigue, raw humanity and a whole heap of sociopolitical undercurrents. Every dunk from LeBron James or pump fake from Kobe Bryant has within in a hidden meaning about the size of Shaq. This one of a kind guide lets you look at your favorite sport like never before.
Ok let’s start with a quick quiz, who said what from the following;
History is . . .
(a) as thoroughly infected with lies as a street whore with syphilis
(b) a nightmare from which I am trying to awaken.
(c) . more or less bunk
Was said by;
(1) Arthur Schopenhauer
(2) Henry Ford
(3) Stephen Daedalus of James Joyce’s Ulysses Arthur Schopenhauer
It now turns out, however, that history does not have to be diseased, nightmarish or bunkum. Mental Floss has handpicked the most interesting pieces of history and slow roasted them to perfection. Packed full of outrageous yet accurate facts and little-known stores, you will laugh yourself smarter on this roller coaster ride through 60,000 years of civilization. The mantra here is it doesn’t have to be boring just because its true.
This limited edition collection brings together the most iconic images from the past 4 decades of Penthouse magazine. Featuring the famous shot of Madonna on the front cover, this is a photographic journey from the first issue back in 1969 which sold out in a day, through to now. A controversial magazine from day one, Penthouse combined beautiful girls with intelligent journalism and a healthy dose of intimate revelations, what wasn’t to like? With a preface from Glenn O’Brien and seductive packaging, this is an outstanding tribute to a magazine revered by both men for the women and by women for opening their eyes to sexuality.
The first novel from Chuck Klosterman, the NYT bestselling author is an absolute cracker. Owl is a town in North Dakota that isn’t really there. Disco has gone but hip-hop never arrived. They don’t have cable and there isn’t really a pop culture unless you want to count alcoholism and counting grain prices. People here work hard and then die, and in between impregnate young girls and hate the government. Sounds horrendous, doesn’t it? but in some ways it’s perfect. This darkly comedic and unpretentious book has been described as a colder fusion of ‘The Last Picture Show’ and ‘Friday Night Lights’. Those who read Downtown Owl will get the creepy sensation of living in a community where the line is blurred between violent reality and rural mythology. Highly recommended.
Now everyone can learn to screen print thanks to Print Liberation, easy instructions, and materials that are readily available. This is ideal for those starting off in a gloomy basement, or cramped apartment bathroom with a budget of only $Amazon. If on the other hand, you have already rented a studio and have a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket, this book could help you to turn screen printing into a small business. This is the ultimate how-to guide for screen printing fans and takes you right through the history of this fascinating craft with awesome illustration. Step by step photos walk you through the ins and outs of the main techniques and anyone who fancied creating their own T-Shirts, posters, or anything else that can be screen printed will love this.
This a strange book in the best possible way. Slinkachu is a street artist who, like the early work from Banksy, captures the humor, melancholy and bustle in the city. Based in London, for several years he has been placing tiny, hand-painted figures around the city on street corners, park benches and on the underground then left them to fend for themselves in the big, literally, wide word. This photographic collection gets the message across that while they are only figures, they highlight how many feel about being lost and swallowed up in city life, stunning.
Working on the premise that one of the greatest gifts we can hand to the next generation is the wisdom we have gained from experience, the multi-award-winning filmmaker, and photographer Andrew Zuckerman has recorded the ideas and thoughts of 50 of the most prominent artists, writers, designers, politicians, actors, musicians and business and religious leaders in the world. All of these luminaries are over 65 and Zuckerman has created portraits that are honest, profound and above all revealing. This book and accompanying DVD captures their voices, physical presence, and their written world. This is an extraordinary legacy for generations to come and a timeless portrait showcasing how we are all united by common experiences.
Back In 1935, popular culture was transformed forever when DC Comics forever published their first book of comic material that was billed as “all new and all original”. This was the birth of the modern comic book and a thrilling and exhilarating collection of characters leaped from the pages to capture the imagination of the world and take its place in history. The most amazing secrets and hidden treasures are now revealed in The DC Vault as we are presented with a colorful array of memorabilia and history never previously published, This is a truly awesome book of artwork that has many treats for readers and a must have for the billions of comic book fans across the globe,
The detailed images that photographer Andrew Zuckerman produces of animals from across the globe are as inspiring as they are delightful. This collection of outstanding studio portraits covers 175 wild creatures and covers everything from parrots to baby leopards, mandrills, bears and many many more. These animals are photographed against a white background, so your eyes are drawn to them and them alone. The subjects are depicted with insight, sensitivity, wonder, and humor. Zuckerman is a master of his craft and this book deserves a place in the home of any animal lover.
The assassination of Abe Lincoln started the greatest manhunt in the history of American. From April 14-26 1865 John Wilkes Booth, the assassin, led detectives and the Union cavalry on a wild, 12 days chase that took place through the streets of Washington DC, across the Maryland swamps and into the vast expanse of forest in Virginia. The nation, who were still reeling from the impact of the recently ended Civil War, could do nothing but watch is sadness and horror. This fascinating tale of intrigue, murder and ultimately written by James L Swanson is a gripping hour by hour account that is told through the eyes of both the hunted and his hunters, this is history told like never before.
Death is said to become you, and this is just one of the many facts of life that are explored in this brilliant book. Containing an abundance of false perceptions. Startling data, bizarre fallacies and several totally unexpected stats about how, when, where and why we all check out, kick the bucket, bite the dust, by the farm and every other euphemism for perishing. For example. Were you aware that around 1800 fitful sleeper die falling out of bed? Other mysteries explored include who kill more people; crocodiles or alligators, can you predict your mortality from the condition of your toenails and is salmonella related to salmon in any way. This book about death is one that you shouldn’t live without.
It would be wise to first consider how joyous your soft-headed ignorance is before you start on your running, flipping and jumping down the ninja path. It is said that there was much debate, along with a healthy dose of morbid amusement, before the International Order of Ninjas decided to produce The Ninja Handbook. This is the first ever guide to a world of secret ninja training and is specifically aimed at non-ninjas. The majority of non-ninjas who handle this book and try to take the path to ninja-dom are likely to die in a horrific and painful manner, and whether your journey be 5 seconds, 5 days or, inconceivably, 5 years you can die happy in the knowledge that you got the closest to being a real ninja as you possibly could be. Tongue in cheek ad hugely entertaining, this is a must-have book.
Through photographs, postcards, brochures, and artifacts that are both contemporary and vintage and evocative of a certain time and place, Havana Before Castro weaves the tale of a city was America’s most popular exotic location during the 4 decades between WWI and the Castro revolution. See for yourself how Havana evolved from a prohibition haven for Americans and a playground for the rich and famous to an intoxicating blend of outrageous cabarets, glittering nightclubs, backstreet brothels and all night bars. Visit the seamy Shanghai Theatre and uber glamorous Montmartre, Sans Souci and Tropicana nightclubs before heading to Sloppy Joe’s to rub elbows with Frank Sinatra. A fascinating, photographic history lesson everyone.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to take a trip down Mexico way, you may not realize that stencil art is now a massive part of their urban culture, and popular stencils are now being used on a wide scale for both protest and non-political purposes. 10 years of intensive research into the subject has resulted in Mexico: Stencil ($14), and it features commentary from many of the artists who have turned stenciling into an art form. We also, from the point of view of a pedestrian, how the streets of Mexico are changing. This book certainly has the coffee table stamp of approval.
If you are constantly worrying that those ordinary aches and pains are just a cover for something more sinister then this is the perfect book for you. The Complete Manual of Things That Might Kill You: A Guide to Self-diagnosis for Hypochondriacs ($14) consists of 192 pages of terrible, little-known diseases that are organized by symptom, so you can easily find your loss of appetite could be the result of a hiatus hernia. Full of humor and stunning illustrations, this is a must-have addition to the reading matter in your living room or bathroom.
American Nerd: The Story of My People by Benjamin Nugent ($14) allows you to both study and explore the origins of the geek. This unique book takes a look back at the history of the geek through pop culture and society and examines their tastes, such as Sci-Fi clubs and online gaming. We also see the unfortunate stereotypes which are attached to nerds and also included is a look at the social isolation they suffer from, and the many possible caused. Nugent has been called “just weird enough to be absolutely right” and we can only second that.
Even though the Good Doctor passed away quite a few years ago this biography by Corey Seymour and Jann Wenner allows you to relive the glory days in the comfort of your living room. Gonzo: The Life of Hunter S Thompson ($20) follows this amazing man’s life as well as the counterculture he is largely held responsible for creating. With a great foreword from Johnny Depp, your coffee table is crying out for this book.
With references made to him throughout the Harry Potter series of books; The Tales of Beedle the Bard ($8) is a compilation of several children’s books written by JK Rowling. With illustrations from Rowling herself and commentary from none other than Dumbledore, this is a great addition to the reading matter for wizarding enthusiasts everywhere. There is a Collectors Edition ($100) for those who fancy themselves living in the world of Mr. Potter and the lofty price doesn’t seem much when you consider what you get in terms of a hand-written intro from Rowling, loads more illustrations and superb craftsmanship.
Walter Iooss is a legendary photographer of all things sport related and has been happily snapping photographic masterpieces since 1961 when he got his first assignment for Sports Illustrated when he was only 16. This book, Athlete ($23), is the first opportunity we have to own over 150 of his stunning shots. The 14″ hardcover boasts photographs of a portrait-quality of such stars as Jim Brown, Derek Jeter, Muhammad Ali, David Beckham, Charles Barkley, Carl Lewis, Yogi Berra, Jack Nicklaus, Pele, Tiger Woods and Joe Namath, to name but a few. From the foreword by Michael Jordan to the back cover, it is easily one of the best ever sports lovers coffee table books.
This book is perfect for all of those who have wondered just what technological wonder have been cooked up by the CIA over the years. Spycraft: The Secret History of the CIA’s Spythechs, from Communism to al-Qaeda ($20) was co-written by one of the former directors from the CIA’s Office of Technical Service and an intelligence historian of international renown. The former is an uber-secret group which makes Q division seems like amateurs and Spycraft take you behind the stories of some of the most awesome espionage technology you could imagine.
Now we can live better, the way the Japanese do, thanks to Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan ($10). This book contains over 100 solutions and tricks, such as picking up broken glass using a slice of bread and cleaning your toilet with mouthwash. You will soon amaze your friends with all your new found life skills.
Are you one of the lucky few who has more money than they know what to do with? If you are then this is the book for you. The Official Filthy Rich Handbook ($12) is a straight-forward but oftentimes tongue-in-cheek guide to living the high life. Everything is here from how to name a house to a comprehensive list of rehab centers, and this book will ensure that you always make the right decisions when it comes to spending the pile of dot.com dosh you sleep on top of every night.
Here is the ultimate guide to getting more done, and getting it done faster as it is packed with helpful tricks, hacks, and hints. Upgrade Your Life: The Lifehacker Guide to Working Smarter, Faster, Better ($20). This is the second edition of Lifehacker: 88 Tech Tricks To Turbocharge Your Day and this revised edition features over 50 new, updated ways of making your working day much more efficient, The range of tasks included are everything from checking emails to keeping all your data in sync over multiple different machines, This is a must-read for anyone who want to bring order to their working chaos.
Regardless of whether you are a skilled mixologist or a rookie, there will be something for you in The Ultimate Bar Book ($14). This book is crammed with tantalizing refreshments and has over 1000 recipes for drinks. There are drinks that use traditional liquors, beer, wine, sake and quite a few options for those who fancy something non-alcoholic. There is also a load of great recommendations for stocking a bar, garnishing drinks and, often the most important bit, useful hangover remedies for when you have gone to town on the recipes.
This is the book that was used by Heath Ledger to get inside the mind and understand the insanity of the darkest villain to inhabit Gotham City. Batman: The Killing Joke ($13) is generally considered to be the best illustrated and written Batman comic of all time. It is also, by far, the most controversial, as nowhere else would you find the joker shooting the daughter of Commissioner Gordon in the spine for kicks. Alan Moore provides the writing and master illustrator gives us some artwork that can only be described as outstanding, This comic gives us the engrossing and dark tale of how this maniacal clown came into being, and gets us into the mindset for The Dark Knight.
Technophiles and aviation enthusiasts alike will get a lot of enjoyment from AirCraft: The Jet as Art ($20). There is some absolutely stunning photography in the 104 pages that make up this book and some of the world’s most sophisticated machines are captured in all their glory. The images were snapped by Jeffrey Milstein, a private pilot, graphic designer, architect and esteemed photographer. Every fabulous image is accompanied by the technical info of the airplane in the photo, allowing you to learn and admire at the same time.
If you were to look at anyone and say “that’s my kind of guy” chances are you would be talking about Gary Vaynerchuk. If you have watched his daily video blog Gary’s Wine Library TV you will know just how hardcore he is about life, jets, and wine, not necessarily in that order. His knowledge and in-your-face style have finally come together is a book with a rather lengthy title; Gary Vaynerchuk’s 101 Wines: Guaranteed to Inspire, Delight and Bring Thunder To Your World ($14). This is the first published selection of his favorite wines and is the ideal guide for both newbies who are just starting to learn about wine and the experienced drinker searching for new delights to tantalize their taste buds. While it could have benefited from more images, the energy and ultra-unique descriptions that Gary get across makes 101 Wines the only book about wine you should ever want or need.
100 Days of Monsters ($14) comes straight from the mind of illustrator and designer Stefan Bucher. The proprietor of the awesome DailyMonster.com brings us a book that is a result of all the videos he posts online, and they show Bucher drawing different ink-blot monsters every day of the week. As well as the monsters, there is a foreword from the ever-awesome Ze Frank, more than 250 stories about the monsters and a DVD featuring all the 100 videos. There are also 701 bonus stories, comments and much more.
No, this is not a storage solution for the garage full of Star Wars junk you have accumulated over the years. Instead, The Star Wars Vault: Thirty Years of Treasures from the Lucasfilm Archives ($55) take us inside the development and subsequent marketing of all 6 movies as well as exploring the cultural impact of the movie series. Packed full of artwork, photos, and other interactive pieces, this set includes everything from a vintage T-shirt transfer to the handwritten treatment Lucas himself gave to the Empire Strikes Back. There is even an audio recording of Carrie Fisher at the Star Wars Holiday Special.
The brains behind JPG Magazine brings us another project, this time full of community-submitted, smart stories which are all based around a common theme. Fray ($15ea or $45 yearly) is the quarterly paperback everyone is talking about that is bursting with outstanding, and true, stories told in the first person by ordinary folks. The theme of the first book is called Busted! True Stories of Getting Caught in the Act. Inside, you will find several different anecdotes including our personal favorite, about a hapless bank robber who is beaten by technology.
You don’t stop doodling in anything that comes to hand when on the phone just because you’re the President. The title of Presidential Doodles: Two Centuries of Scribbles, Scratches, Squiggles & Scrawls from the Oval Office ($18) gives away the game as to what you will find inside. This is a collection of drawings, or rather doodles, from some of history’s most powerful men. Contributions come from FDR, JFK, Teddy, Ike and many more made contributions to this extremely rare collection without even realizing, and provide a unique glimpse into the how the minds of some of our nations former great leaders actually worked.
Unless you don’t eat pork at all, you will most likely enjoy eating bacon in its many forms; with burgers, on salads, for breakfast or as the centerpiece in a big, juicy BLT. Once you have read The Bacon Cookbook by James Villas ($23) however, you will see the humble hog in a whole different light. Apart from the descriptions of the many different types of bacon, you can also try out some tasty recipes for such delights as Spanish Meatballs, Chickpea Stew and French Cheese and Bacon Souffle, de-lic-ious!
Anyone who has ever been on a commercial flight will know all about the subjects for this awesome collection of photos. Flight Attendants by Brian Finke ($23) shows off these maidens of the skies both in and out of those cute uniforms, at home, at work, at school and before, during and after their trips. Rather than glorifying the stereotypical images that surround this profession, Finke cleverly juxtaposes quiet shots of them going about their daily lives with those that capture the hectic and often nerve-wracking nature of their job.
If you have always wanted to see how the other half live then this book is a must-have. All the Money in the World: How the Forbes 400 Make- and Spend- Their Fortunes ($18) gives us a rare glimpse into the lives of the uber rich. Written by Annalyn Swan and Peter W. Bernstein, there are 432 pages here packed with fascinating stories and observations and much research has gone into their culture, their lives and their financial habits. Here you will find everyone classed as super-rich, from sports stars to corporate moguls, from 1982 through to today.
The best part of spying is the gadgets you get to play with, we all know that. The Incredible World of Spy-Fi: Wild and Crazy Spy Gadgets, Props and Artifacts from TV and the Movies ($8) gives us a look at the best of the author’s collection. Danny Biederman has over 4000 artifacts and props from various classic movies and spy series, thus covering everything from I Spy to Bond and there are also over 200 images in full color. This is a real Go-Go-Gadget book for Go-Go-Gadget fans.
Finally, there is a book for UFC fighters that is as hardcore as them. This is a mighty tome, Octagon ($3) can only be described as a monster of a book. It contains more than 800 images of UFC glory courtesy of renowned artist Kevin Lynch. There were 450 copies printed of the Collector’s Edition whilst the Deluxe Collector’s Edition, which comes complete with a numbered and signed 16 x 30″ C-print is even harder to come by as there are only 150 copies around.
The queen-mother of expletives comes into its own with Fuck This Book ($10), a collection of public signs enhanced with this dirty world. Th premise is simple; the word is inserted into every sign we see such as “Please don’t (fuck) the pigeons”. You can also share the profanity with friends by with the Fuck These Postcards.
This coming Valentine’s Day, why not swap action in the bedroom for action in the garage with the Carma Sutra: The Auto-Erotic Handbook ($10). This paperback is not for people in love with their cars, that’s a whole different ball game, but gives you a suggestion for numerous different sex positions you can pull off in a car to spice up that backseat action. There are also plenty of illustrations and helpful advice on adapting positions according to the model. Just one thing; don’t forget to have the car set in parking.
Packed with good, old fashioned, down to earth advice White Trash Etiquette: The Definitive Guide to Upscale Trailer Park Manners ($10) is the perfect humorous companion next time you are in the backwoods and a bit stuck. There are such gems as how to use the back of a pick up to make the perfect red neck hot tub and also answers those tricky questions such as can I get my 14-year-old cousin unpregnant?
Despite the fact that most guys love athletics, there will be invariably some that are misunderstood, even if we do bask in the reflected glory of our favorite sporting heroes. The Sports Book ($24) calls itself “The definitive guide to every sport” and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. Containing both the rules and game-winning strategies of over 200 sports, this book will help you to become a well-rounded sports buff, and may even lead to some winning bets regarding the rules of synchronized swimming when the next Olympics rolls around.
When it comes to creating your own man space, you can never get too much inspiration and ManSpace: A Primal Guide to Marking Your Territory ($17) is certainly a great help. It is packed with loads of examples from 5 different categories including Entertaining and Collection which all show you how many men before you have taken the best parts of their interest and transformed their surroundings into their very own, and completely individual, ManSpace.
Now the first thing most women are going to say when they see this is how big a book would have to be to contain all the mistakes men make, to which we say ha flipping ha! We all make mistakes, that’s what makes us human, and some are a lot more common than others. Mistakes Men Make ($11) is a great guide to avoiding those cliches which form a major part of chick flicks and is packed full of do’s, don’ts and other tips. These cover everything from personal hygiene to home decoration in a highly humorous fashion. Written by Daniel Billett, the grooming and fashion guru from About.com. It will help you become less, erm, mistake worthy, or something like that.
The editors of Details Magazine have come together to help you look sharp with this great book. The Details Men’s Style Manual: The Ultimate Guide For Making Your Clothes Work for You ($20) provides you with tons of tips on how you should dress and why it works so well. In addition to them explaining the right fit, style and look for every piece of clothing for every occasion, this book also boasts a plethora of illustrations and photos. There are also Rules of Style laid down by such icons of fashion as Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole and Giorgio Armani.
Anyone who wants to know more about the amazing story of the Pixar Animation studios will love this book. To Infinity and Beyond: The Story of Pixar Animations Studios ($47) is primarily written by Karen Paik and this hardbound tome, with its 320 pages, tells the full tale of how this once lowly branch of George Lucas’ ILM grew into one of the industry’s most powerful animation studios and eventually became a part of Disney. Packed with great stories and forewords by Ed Catmull and John Lasseter, the co-founders of Pixar, there is also one of the late Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple.
There are many of us who just get enough of projects based on Duct Tape and if you are one of these people you really need to get your hands on Ductigami: The Art of the Tape by Joe Wilson ($10). Here you will find 18 projects which are all highly detailed but can also be all made out of our favorite ubiquitous sticky tape. They are explained in an easy to understand way and are at the same time humorous after all, why should you go out and buy a Duct Tape Wallet when you can knock one up yourself?
Hands up who bought Playboy for the articles? Exactly, well now there is no longer a reason to pretend thanks to Playboy: The Complete Centerfolds ($315) which brings you over 600 beauties. Starting off with the marvelous Marilyn, this enormous collector’s edition has every centerfold that appeared in every edition, and they are presented exactly as they were in the original magazines. The book comes complete with an impressive, embossed briefcase that is both velvet lined and has clasps with combination locks.
The king of the mob movies certainly gets the royal treatment here with The Annotated Godfather: The Complete Screenplay ($20). This fully annotated, illustrated and authorized edition of the original and complete screenplay is quite a tome, and also includes over 200 images from the movie. There are also plenty of tales from the set, anecdotes from the stars and interviews, including one with Francis Ford Coppola the director. This was released to tie in with the 35th anniversary of the movie and will make a great gift for any fan of this most iconic of movies.
Every coffee table deserves to be graced with the beauty of the custom made bike, and who better to do just that than the master of them all? Jesse James & His Beautiful Machines ($47) brings you the best of the kingpin of West Coast Choppers as well as his gorgeous bikes. The hardcover tome boasts image after image of the bike making process as well as portraits of those lucky souls who get to build them and ride them.
Nobody is ever too old to scare their buddies, or to impress a lady with a terrific trick. Tricks to Freak Out Your Friends ($10) is a bumper collection of 50 mind-blowing, sick and rude stunts that won’t fail to get you noticed. This book also provides step by step directions on how to swallow table knives, bring dead flies back to life, use scissors to cut off your thumbs and many more glamorous stunts and tricks.
There is no shortage of great tech writing around-cough-we are sure that you will all enjoy the collection of essays which are found within the covers of The Best of Technology Writing 2007 ($12). There are contributions from Lori Gottlieb, Jeff Howe, John Gruber and many more talented writers, making this a must read for both writing buffs and techno buffs alike.
Even though his true identity was blown a while ago, Fake Steve Jobs is as hilarious and hardcore as ever. He takes it up another notch with Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs ($16). The New York Times described this book as “a well-plotted satire that imagines Apple’s chief executive grappling with his real-life stock option backdating troubles and getting help and bad advice, from friends like Larry Ellison, Bono, and Al Gore”. Sounds good to us!
This is the definitive book for those who have ever fancied taking their LEGO bricks and creating more than just static items. Forbidden LEGO: Build the Models Your Parents Warned You Against ($17) is not an authorized book but is full of so many awesome LEGO projects it is simply too good to ignore. How about a toy gun capable of shooting LEGO plates, or a candy catapult, or even a device that continually launches ping-pong balls? Written in collaboration between a former senior designer and former senior product manager from LEGO, this is the ultimate how-to guide to building those rogue LEGO masterpieces you have always dreamed of.
There is a famous saying from ancient Greek philosopher Socrates which goes “That what I don’t know, I don’t think I know.” With this book, The Book of General Ignorance by John Mitchinson and John Lloyd ($14) you will soon realize that you don’t know a great deal more than you think you do. This is a veritable tome of trivia which through many popular misconceptions into the garbage such as the fact that camels don’t store water in their humps but fat. It shouldn’t come as any great surprise that one of this books writers also pens the hit British TV quiz show QI.
Whether you are a dedicated drinker or not you will enjoy this book. The Modern Drunkard: A Handbook for Drinking in the 21st Century ($12) is written by Frank Kelly Rich, the founder of Modern Drunkard Magazine. Rich brings together his vast knowledge of both boozing lore and etiquette, and he recaptures these here with great humor and in great detail. Pull up a chair, grab yourself a drink, and enjoy this book at leisure.
On the Road ($16) documents the beat icon Jack Kerouac and the meanderings he made across North and Central America in the 1940’s. This book now stands as a seminal and iconic piece of American literary history. Even though the original was famously typed on scrolls in the spontaneous prose that is the trademark of Kerouac, this piece was first released in the form of a book. This edition was released to tie in with the 50th anniversary of the events that led to it being written and is published in the scroll transcription of the original, in all its unedited and rambling glory.
Even though the vast majority of us wouldn’t consider the life of Kevin Smith to be at all boring, it is still the title of this book. My Boring Ass Life: The Uncomfortably Candid Diary of Kevin Smith ($10) is a documentation of the life of this talented actor/director/writer and he details both small and large aspects of his life. These range from him and his wife Jen watching TiVo to helping his good friend Jason Mewes in his battle with heroin. This book is everything we have come to expect from Smith; Straightforward, unapologetic and very very funny.
The nations favorite ‘televiski journalist’ brings us a travel book with everything we need to know about living it up in Kazakhstan. Borat: Touristic Guidings to Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan ($17) is the ultimate guide to showcasing all that is great in Kazakhstan. You can marvel at the Nurek Dam, make your children laugh with the jokes about Jews (their words not ours!) and even takes a peek inside the brand new Capitalist Supermall ‘Victor Hotelier’s Shop City’ that has lots of shops and an electrical staircase! There is also a bonus feature; Borat: Touristic Guidings to Minor Nation of U.S. And A that includes invaluable tips for foreigners such as getting the cage of your wife through an airport and gaining entry to American Vagines without spending money.
Nobody can argue that Halloween costumes are getting rather stale, and that’s just one reason why you will love the ideas in The Original Duct Tape Halloween Book ($9). Inventiveness and hilarity in equal parts, you will find stacks of costume ideas here such “Floor of a Movie Theater”, “Batty-Chia Pet” and “Shaving Accident Guy”. These can all be made cheaply with a bit of work and the help of everyone’s favorite gray sticky tape. As well as the costumes, you also get ideas for pranks, treats, decorating and a great excuse for buying more Duct Tape than normal folks would ever need.
Anyone who misses Carnivale on HBO or just those in general who love great photography of often bizarre subject matter will be delighted with Circus by Bruce Davidson ($38). The renowned photographer’s collection includes some shots which date back to 1958 as well as subjects such as Hugo Zacchini the human cannonball and Jimmy Armstrong the dwarf clown. There are also numerous other reminders of the now decaying Big Top.
Even those who think they know all the ins and outs of the web should pick up Rule the Web: How to Do Anything and Everything on the Internet _ Better, Faster, Easier by Mark Frauenfelder ($11). Frauenfelder is the co-founder of Boing Boing, the stablemate of Federated Media and uses his extensive knowledge of everything to do with going online in order to provide numerous helpful tips on how you can utilize the internet in a more efficient way. Whether you want to create a blog, sell a house or simply do some shopping, you will find help amongst the page of this must have tome.
There is a huge difference between saying that you want to save the planet and actually doing something about it. True Green: 100 Everyday Ways You Can Contribute to a Healthier Planet ($16) is an awesome guide which is a great way of setting you on the road to a much greener life. Broken down into 6 specific areas; the home, the garden, at work, travel, shopping, and the community, this book is packed full of suggestions and tips in order to help you do your bit to help you protect our world.
It should come as no real surprise that a former champion of Jeopardy! Is on hand to give the best analysis of a TV quiz show ever. Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy! ($17) is written by Bob Harris, who won the maximum 5 games in a row back in 1998 and this book tells the story of his long run of the ever popular quiz show. He also gives tips on his strategy but more important are his heartfelt recollections regarding the friendships he has forged with other leading competitors, as well as what his experience taught him when it came to the game of life.
Ditch that warm beer and really spice up your barbecues courtesy of some great drink ideas from The Backyard Bartender ($13). This is a hardcore book that delivers more than 50 recipes for martinis and various other libations that make use of the bounty of summer ingredients. Examples of ideas for drinks here include the Aromatic Lavender Lush and the Spicy Ginger Blush Martini.
If you are looking for something better to read in the bathroom that Glamour or Cosmo then you have come to the right place. Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader: Wonder World of Odd ($11) is a little book full of big stories from around the world that are in turn weird, interesting and often just plain bizarre. It includes such gems as the killer CO2 gas story from Cameroon and sure, we know you could find these facts if you wanted to trawl the net, but who wants to take their laptop or tablet into the bathroom?
This is a must for those who believed that grilled cheese was just, well, grilled cheese. This book takes you beyond the realms of the traditional grilled cheese sandwich and comes courtesy of Laura Werlin, a renowned cheese expert. Great Grilled Cheese: 50 Innovative Recipes for Stove Top, Grill, and Sandwich Maker ($12) is chock full of both classic and contemporary recipes covering grilled cheese and paninis, and you will want to try a new one every day.
Why not give those family-friendly destinations a miss this year and try out the secret vacation spots of America you can find in Top Secret Tourism ($12). Harry Helms takes us on a tour of the ‘other America’ and gives us comprehensive state by state listings, descriptions, facility histories, maps, associated rumors, pictures, directions and much more besides. You will not find any roller coasters, stuffed animals with hefty price tags or faceless corporate hotels in this book.
if you have munched your way through Rao’s first cookbook and are itching for more, then you should feast your eyes, and taste buds, on Rao’s Recipes from the Neighborhood ($27). Frank Pellegrino from Rao’s, NYC’s toughest reservation, has brought together another 125 authentic recipes from Italy that come courtesy of himself, his family and his neighbors. Many of these are served in the restaurants, and much more come from Grandma.
Cast your mind back to those ads that used to appear in the back of comics that promoted a Utopian life in the future. This hasn’t happened as yet, however, and this great book Where’s My Jetpack?: A Guide to the Amazing Science Fiction Future that Never Arrived ($11) tells us why this is in a tongue-in-cheek style. Daniel Wilson is both an author and a roboticist, and he reminds us about such things as teleporting and moon colonies as he takes an in-depth look into which promised future techs actually exist and which have remained mere pipe dreams.
Drew Curtis us the guy behind the awesome Fark.com, and here he unleashes his criticisms of the mainstream media in his own unique and uber sarcastic way. It’s Not News, It’s Fark: How Mass Media Tries to Pass Off Crap as News ($14) looks at exactly this; the stories that the mass media folks are dressing up as must-read stories than trying to shove them down our throats.
Back in grade school, Paper Pilot: The Paper Airplane Pilot’s Manual ($19) was the kind of book we dreamed about. It is filled with 24 scale models of some of the very best and most famous jets and planes ever made. 12 of these are folded airplanes printed onto perforated pages while the rest are die-cut models which are more complex and have to be first punched out and then put together with glue. As well as these the book also has historical facts, illustrations, and photographs about the aircrafts featured in the book.
If you have always wanted to train your thumb to become an expert in the art of thumb wrestling then The Way of the Thumb ($9) is a must-have. Oscar Villalon is a 3 times champion of thumb wrestling and in this book he takes you through a thumb training boot camp which allows you to learn holds, moves, and pins so that in no time at all you will be triumphing over your 5-year-old. You will learn even faster thanks to the great illustrations.
It simply isn’t possible to be a fan of 007 without also being a fan of the stunning Bond girls. There are over 50 years worth of Bond girls history packed into John Clark’s Bond Girls Are Forever ($20). Written in collaboration with Maryam D’Abo, who herself was a Bond girl, the authors study the history of those women who have played these pivotal roles through the years and how the Bond girl has become the epitome of a sexy and self-confident role model. Guys you needn’t worry, they have included plenty of pictures.
Finally, the book has arrived that we achievers have been waiting for for a long, long time. I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski: Life, the Big Lebowski and What Have You ($11) can only be described as the definitive guide to everything Dude related. Put together by those bums responsible for Lebowski Fest, the book features a commentary, trivia, history, a guide to the movie’s locations and there is a great foreword from Jeff Bridges, as well as tons of photos he himself took on set. This book also has interviews with nearly every member of the cast and also those folks who were the inspiration for the movie’s characters. There is also an awesome section that gives you tips on Dude-ifying your car, home and office. We have never pre-ordered a book as fast as this one.
If you are one of the millions of fans of Deadwood, the gritty western TV drama, then this book is a must. Deadwood: Stories of the Black Hills by David Milch ($19) provides not only detailed info on all the characters but also a history of the real Deadwood in South Dakota. This book also provides a valuable insight into the show’s production process as well as a load of great pictures. This is a worthy tribute to a truly great show.
Although everyone’s favorite show about the Mafia is over, and James Gandolfini has died, there is as much interest in The Sopranos as ever. The Sopranos: The Book ($22) has been hailed as the definitive guide to the best TV series ever made about the mob, and who are we to argue? Taking us behind the scenes of the show to see how it was made, interviews with the main actors and over 200 images, as well as a complete guide to every episode and a full food glossary.
The Domus 12 Volume Set ($600) is the best of famous Italian architecture and design magazine looking at the period 1928-1999. Many of these articles are seeing their first translation into English and they all appear exactly as they did originally. This set also includes a comprehensive and searchable index on a CD, which makes finding the information a whole lot easier. The Domus 12 is a must-have for any budding designer.
Death By PowerPoint; A Modern Office Survival Guide ($11) is Michael Flocker’s take on a typical handbook for the corporate rat race with his own unique brand of humor. It’s amazing to see how he makes fun of the corporate buzzwords and brings some great office illustrations which will help you pass your day in your cube a lot more fun. It features such goodies as; sucking up effectively, dealing with control freaks, the curse of the Secret Santa, and how to spot video surveillance.
We are really digging this book as The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film ($50) is packed full of awesome photos, anecdotes, production notes. The book is a veritable treasure trove of insider info from one of the executive editors at Lucasfilm. Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Sir Alec Guinness, Harrison Ford, George Lucas and the composer John Williams, amongst others, give their opinions and tell stories about making the movie that changed their lives, and their careers, forever.
The awesome series of tales that is Founders at Work: Stories of Startups’ Early Days ($17) tells us what happened during the early days of life at some of our most famous tech companies such as PayPal, Flickr, and Apple. These companies founders tell us, in their own words, what life was like when they were sitting behind a keyboard developing the technologies which ultimately made them all very rich.
Finally, you can pass the wasteland of pop news thanks to Mental Floss ($22). This is a highly addictive magazine that fills your head full of useful information and facts without making you feel as if you need to have the IQ of a genius to grasp what they are going on about. Arts, history, science, amongst others, are the subjects that they touch upon in way that is both down to earth and fun.
Ever heard of New Rich? These folk are not waiting until they get their pensions to enjoy life; they have figured out how to live their lives in luxury right now. The 4 Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5. Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss ($12) will teach you the ins and outs of living this lifestyle. It includes valuable tips such as outsourcing your life to virtual assistants overseas, eliminating as much as 50% of your workload within 48 house by employing the principles of a long forgotten economist from Italy, and how to get free housing across the globe. This shows you the way to live the life you want right now.
Absolute Dark Knight ($100) contains 2 dark and graphic tales by the author of the graphic novel Sin City, Frank Miller; The Dark Knight Returns and The Dark Knight Strikes Again. The former is the groundbreaking take that infused the Gotham which Batman loves so much with a darkness that could only come from Miller. Mix in these plot lines with sketchbook material and much more and any aficionado of superheroes will be chomping at the bit to get their hands on this.
The ultimate guide to DIY for the homeowner has finally arrived. Handyman In-Your-Pocket ($10) contains 768 pages packed with essential tips and info on roofing, carpentry, pipes, rope, lumber, bolts, tools, welding, conversion factors electrics and much much more. This book is used by professional builders, handymen, and contractors across the country, giving you the assurance this guide is both valuable and relevant.
Monopoly has sold more than 200 million copies in 60 different countries. This definitive guide; Monopoly: The World’s Most Famous Game and How it Got that Way ($17) is written by the former VP of Parker Brother Philip E Orbanes, and he traces the origins of the game from the 1903 Landlord’s Game and Elizabeth Magie through until the present day. There are so many versions of the game that have been created over the years this is a truly cool book for everyone.
Running Press Cyclopedia: The Ultimate Visual Reference Tool ($14) is a pocket-sized wonder that contains more than 1000 illustrations and over 200,000 facts that cover such topics as art, science, the environment and world history. The illustrations help you better picture and understand the facts and statistics related to the topic. If one of those people who is always asking questions and wondering a bout a multitude of topics, then this book is for you.
Lucy Brennan is a leading mixologist from Portland and she is sharing her knowledge with drink mixing hipsters everywhere through her latest book Hip Sips ($12). You get recipes for more than 60 different drinks with exotic names such as the Guava Cosmos, which is a martini made from citrus punch infused with passion fruit. The wide variety of drink combos using spirits, fruits and herbs will keep any wannabe master bartender happy for many a party.
Michael Flocker’s The Hedonism Handbook: Mastering the Lost Arts of Leisure and Pleasure ($11) takes a shot out modern society and our no fun all work ethos. This book is a tongue-in-cheek lesson in recapturing simple pleasures like a 3 martini lunch, a fine cigar or lying in a hammock looking at the starts. This is a reminder for all those working their fingers to the bones to take time off a do the things you really enjoy.
Absolutely MAD Magazine ($Amazon) has every single edition of MAD ever published on one DVD, as well in interviews with the MAD staff, clips from Spy vs Spy and every page from every issue in a .pdf format, that makes more than 17.500 pages in total. If you’ve grown up on MAD magazine like I have, then this is a must-have treasure trove. The bonus to this is you don’t have to find space for 600 magazines?
Neal Pollack is best known for the pop culture classic The Neal Pollack Anthology of American Literature, and this time around takes us on his journey from being a party-loving hipster to a child loving hipster parent in his own inimitable style. Alternadad ($15) is packed with heartfelt stories and tongue-in-cheek observations and humor, this book is an absolute must for those of us terrified of losing our cultural identity by becoming a parent.
If your small slice of office heaven, AKA your cube, is somewhat on the dull side, then you need to take a look at Cube Chic ($16). Interior designer Kelley Moore believes she has the solution to change this and her book gives you loads of ideas. With her help, you can transform your 3 or 3 walls of cloth into something very special with designs ranging from Zen to Tiki.
Whether you hate metal or love everything about it, one thing is for certain, It can’t be ignored. Steven Blush’ American Hair Metal ($16) takes you on a journey as you follow the spandex warriors story courtesy of pictures and quotes from their heyday. The images were taken by such names as Eddie Maluk and Frank White, and any closet Crue lovers will want to have this on their coffee table.
Can there be any better way of celebrating the history of Playboy than through pictures? Playboy: The Celebrities ($27) brings together more than 150 photographs of some of the most famous celebrities to have graced the pages of the magazine over the years. Think Stephanie Seymour, Naomi Campbell, Pamela Anderson, Debbie Harry, Jenny McCarthy and the amazing Marilyn Monroe and you know this book is something very special. Beautiful photographs of beautiful women and the Playboy name; does it get any better than this?
A Photographer’s Life: 1990-2005 ($50) features amazing portraits of celebrities like Johnny Cash, Jack Nicholson, Michael Jordan and Keith Richards. Alongside these are never before seen pictures from Annie Leibovitz’s personal life, images from her trip to Sarajevo and exquisite landscapes which have the same wow factor as her portraits of the rich and famous. This book will make a great addition to any library.
The Dog Dialed 911: Lists from The Smoking Gun ($11) features a host of excerpts from their best-known reports and included public documents which deal with some of the most bizarre and scandalous news stories of the past decade as well as other well-known reports. The book has been organized into a list format and features insights such as 7 things you don’t say to a cop, 5 of the dumbest things you can steal and some of the favorite pick up lines of Bill O’Reilly.
My Secret: A PostSecret Book ($12) written by Frank Warren is a riveting 144 pages of raw, messages that have come in via anonymous submissions from college students and teens the world over. The book is based on his popular blog PostSecret. It is funny, poignant, inspirational but always real look into ordinary peoples lives.
Lifehacker is a blog that posts tutorials, software, and tips to make your life a lot easier. They now have a new book out packed full of their best tips for life hacking, and we suggest you grab your copy now. Lifehacker: 88 Tech Tricks to Turbocharge Your Day ($17) has nearly 100 of the best tips and hacks from the blog to get you on your way.
A Dirty Job ($16) is the latest offering from Christopher Moore. it is about Charlie Asher who accidentally takes on the role of death and is thus taken on a long and wild ride lasting 6 years where he takes a place as one of San Francisco’s grim reapers. Throw into the mix an army of consisting of 14″ tall squirrel people who have been created from human souls and different parts of animals and you have a book you won’t be able to put down.
For anyone under the age of 50, Lego will have been an integral part of your childhood. Lego’s are one of history’s most intriguing toys as what you can do with these small, multi colored bricks is only limited by your imagination. There are few who can claim to be Lego masters, but everyone should be pumped by this Unofficial Lego Builder’s Guide ($16) by Allan Bedford. Every aspect of Lego building is included in this book and it is sure to improve your Lego game.
As a writer of three awesome books already, it is likely that whatever children’s book Chuck Klosterman wrote would be a best seller. The good news is that his fourth offering is definitely targeted at an older age group. This is not an original work, however, as Chuck Klosterman IV; A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas ($16) is actually a collection of previously written essays. In his brilliance, however, at describing a pop culture in the US that makes this book unmissable. It will make you think, laugh and look smart at parties when you spout a few quotes.
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