The Mattel Archive

The Mattel Archive 

by Ynon Kreiz 

Language: English 

New York: Rizzoli International Publications, 2025. 

352 pages : illustrations ; 31 cm. 

ISBN: 9780847875894, 084787589X 

Summary: "Celebrating eighty years of the most influential toy company in the world, this landmark publication is a captivating journey through the vibrant history of Mattel, a name synonymous with imagination and creativity for generations. Beautifully illustrated with full pages from Mattel's original printed catalogs--design objects in themselves, with a wealth of imagery and typography that reflects the style of each passing decade--the book chronicles the evolution of the company from its humble beginnings in 1945 to its status today as a global leader in the toy industry. Encompassing the evolution of a remarkable archive of toys with special focus on those universal icons of childhood, Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price, the book reveals behind-the-scenes stories of the visionaries who brought these toys to life, and explores the cultural impact they have had on children and families worldwide."

Studio Ghibli: The Complete Works

Studio Ghibli: The Complete Works 

Language: English 

New York: Kodansha USA Publishing, 2022. 

159 pages : color illustrations ; 27 cm. 

ISBN: 9781647291495, 1647291496 

Summary: "A beautiful, full-color dive into the history and future of Studio Ghibli, Japan's preeminent animation house. In-depth looks at every one of their 26 feature films - including the latest, Earwig and the Witch - means there's something for everyone, while exclusive interviews and rare director's commentary plus behind-the-scenes tidbits will excite even the most devoted Ghibli afficionados. A gorgeous, stirring must-have for Studio Ghibli fans and newcomers alike! From classics like Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind to the latest work, Earwig and the Witch, this beautiful art book introduces all 26 acclaimed Studio Ghibli films. Take a deep look into Ghibli's first 3D feature film, Earwig and the Witch, with an exclusive interview with director Goro Miyazaki."

Ants: A Visual Guide

Ants: A Visual Guide 

by Heather Campbell, Benjamin Blanchard 

Language: English 

Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2023. 

224 pages : color illustrations, color maps ; 25 cm. 

ISBN: 9780691228525, 0691228523 

Summary: "A richly illustrated natural history of ants, covering their diversity, ecology, anatomy, behavior, and more. Plentiful and familiar, ants make up an estimated one-third of the world's insect biomass and can be found in virtually every part of the globe, from rainforest canopies to city sidewalks. But their importance is about more than numbers: ants are fundamental species in a range of habitats, their interactions with plants, fungi, and other animals ensuring the survival of many fragile and complex ecosystems. This beautifully illustrated book explores the extraordinary diversity of ants and offers insights into their elaborate social systems, investigating the key collective and competitive behaviors that operate within their varied colony structures.Featuring exceptional close-up photographs and clearly organized thematic chapters, the book covers anatomy, evolution, life cycle, ecology, and other important topics. Each chapter also features profiles of stand-out genera, chosen for their fascinating characteristics, including Leafcutter Ants who build nests containing up to 7,000 chambers, Pugnacious Ants whose colonies can destroy populations of crabs within hours, and Honeypot Ants whose worker caste store food in their stomachs for other colony members to consume. Drawing on current research, Ants offers an inviting and accessible introduction to these remarkable insects. Includes more than 200 stunning color photographs, plus infographics and diagrams, presents full profiles of 42 iconic genera from across the world. Features clearly structured thematic chapters."-- Provided by publisher

The Deep Ocean: Life in the Abyss

The Deep Ocean: Life in the Abyss 

by Michael Vecchione, Louise Allcock, I. G. Priede, Hans van Haren

Language: English 

Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2023. 

288 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), maps (chiefly color) ; 29 cm. 

ISBN: 9780691226811, 0691226814 

Summary: "The deep ocean comprises more than 90 percent of our planet's biosphere and is home to some of the world's most dazzling creatures, which thrive amid extreme pressures, scarce food supplies, and frigid temperatures. Living things down here behave in remarkable and surprising ways, and cutting-edge technologies are shedding new light on these critically important ecosystems. This beautifully illustrated book leads you down into the canyons, trenches, and cold seeps of the watery abyss, presenting the deep ocean and its inhabitants as you have never seen them before"-- Publisher's description

The Lives of Beetles: A Natural History of Coleoptera

The Lives of Beetles: A Natural History of Coleoptera 

by Arthur V. Evans 

Language: English 

Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2023. 

288 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), color maps ; 26 cm. 

ISBN: 9780691236513, 0691236518 

Summary: "A richly illustrated introduction to the incredible world of beetles. With some 400,000 species, beetles are among the largest and most successful groups of organisms on earth, making up one-fifth of all plant and animal species. No other animals exhibit such a dazzling range of size, form, and color. Mostly small, sturdy, and compact, beetles are incredibly well-equipped to find food, reproduce, and avoid predators. Additionally, their collective roles as herbivores, hunters, and recyclers are critical to the sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems. In this lavishly illustrated book, beetle expert and author Arthur Evans presents an inviting and comprehensive introduction to the fascinating lives of the world's beetles. Universal in scope, The Lives of Beetles is packed with the latest scientific findings, presented in an accessible way. Individual chapters cover beetles' structure and function; evolution, diversity, classification, and distribution; communication, reproduction, and development; feeding habits; uses in medicine, science, and technology; and study and conservation. Each chapter concludes with nine stunningly illustrated profiles that highlight the lives of some of the world's most beautiful and interesting species. The book also features an up-to-date family classification, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading. We need beetles for the ecological services they provide, the technological innovations they inspire, and the scientific insights they reveal, so it is essential that we all get to know beetles better and strive to conserve their habitats. The Lives of Beetles is the perfect place to begin this journey of discovery and understanding"--Amazon.com

Reviews: Quarterly Review of Biology

Shapeshifters: The Wondrous World of Jellyfish

Shapeshifters: The Wondrous World of Jellyfish 

by Lisa-Ann Gershwin 

Language: English 

New York: Abrams, 2023. 

223 pages : color illustrations ; 28 cm. 

ISBN: 9781419766107, 1419766104 

Summary: "Jellyfish come in a dazzling array of colors, shapes, and sizes, drifting through every ocean, from the surface to the deepest of the deep seas, and are even found in freshwater locations. These ancient creatures, also called sea jellies (they are not, technically, fish), are so otherworldly and luminous that it is no wonder they are often compared to mythical shapeshifters. Some are so delicate that they shatter with the smallest disturbance to the water, while the tenacity of others means they can withstand almost any temperature, any salinity, starvation, and even being dismembered. And some are truly biologically immortal. This visually breathtaking book showcases 100 species of jellyfish within its pages -- from the ubiquitous Aurelia to the enigmatic Velella -- along with astounding facts about these fascinating marine life-forms. Some are splendid, some strange, some poisonous, some deadly. Some carry surprising secrets and some are barely known, but every one of them is remarkable and has a tale to tell. An introduction by noted expert Lisa-ann Gershwin, with her commentary throughout, invites you into the wondrous world of jellyfish"--Back cover

Reactions: An Illustrated Exploration of Elements, Molecules, and Change in the Universe

Reactions: An Illustrated Exploration of Elements, Molecules, and Change in the Universe 

by Theodore Gray 

Language: English 

New York: Black Dog & Leventhal, 2020. 

vii, 216 pages : color illustrations ; 26 cm. 

ISBN: 9780762497362, 076249736X 

Summary: The book begins with a brief recap of elements and molecules and then goes on to explain important concepts that characterize a chemical reaction, including Energy, Entropy, and Time.

Shoe Innovations: A Visual Celebration of 60 Styles

Shoe Innovations: A Visual Celebration of 60 Styles 

by Caroline Cox 

Language: English 

Richmond Hill, Ontario: Firefly Books, 2012. 

256 p. : ill. (chiefly col.), ports. (some col.) ; 23 cm. 

ISBN: 9781770850347, 1770850341 

Summary: The complete story of shoe design, from the Edwardian Louis heel, through the 1940s wedge, to today's extreme architectural designs. Cox traces the evolution of sixty iconic designs, placing each benchmark shoe in its social and cultural context, and describes the reasons for its popularity-- or fall from grace-- and in some cases, its revival.

Tales From Gombe

Tales From Gombe 

by Anup Shah, Fiona Rogers 

Language: English 

Richmond Hill, Ontario: Firefly Books, 2014. 

324 pages : colour illustrations, colour map, genealogical tables ; 29 x 35 cm. 

ISBN: 9781770854680, 1770854681 

Summary: An irreplaceable natural history of the famous chimpanzees of Gombe National Park. There lives a society far away that we came to know. It imposes fewer inhibitions on its citizens than perhaps any modern society. There are very few cultural constraints of appearance and behavior on its members. The meager rules of conduct that do exist are implicit and well understood. These norms are almost always followed so that there are no policemen, judges, and lawyers. This society is a fine example of self-regulated social conduct. (from the Preface) The Gombe chimpanzees are probably the most famous group of wild animals in history, having been observed and chronicled for more than 50 years. Through studies initiated by paleontologist and anthropologist Louis Leakey and carried out by primatologist Jane Goodall, people worldwide know some of the names and stories of the Gombe chimpanzees. The intimate portraits in Tales from Gombe reveal their inner lives and introduce the social dynamics, the dynasties and the key players. Over the course of the last decade, Anup Shah and Fiona Rogers have dedicated long periods of their time to studying the various dynasties, photographing the key players and observing their actions. In Tales from Gombe they introduce the different characters and tell the fascinating stories of their lives, through both words and breathtaking photography. The story turns out to be an epic saga of convoluted plots, family alliances, love, passion, suffering, ambition, politics, puzzles, surprises and controversies. But while the book intrigues and entertains, it also matches science with art to provide a thought-provoking experience that leaves the reader with greater understanding of primate life and a strong sense of empathy and respect.

Orangutans: Their History, Natural History and Conservation

Orangutans: Their History, Natural History and Conservation 

by Ronald I. Orenstein, Ian Redmond 

Language: English 

Buffalo, New York: Firefly Books, 2024. 

352 pages : color illustrations, maps ; 29 cm. 

ISBN: 9780228103783, 0228103789 

Summary: "Native to the forests of Sumatra and Borneo, wild orangutans are listed as critically endangered. The rarest of them all, the Tapanuli orangutan, was only recognized as a separate species in 2017, and today, it is the rarest great ape in the world. In Orangutans, zoologist and conservationist Ronald Orenstein draws on the latest research to survey the natural and cultural history of these charismatic red apes as well as their present and future. Divided into three parts, the book first traces orangutan ancestry from the distant past to the present and then explores the various roles orangutans have played throughout human history, from Indigenous cultures in Southeast Asia, to European colonialism and scientific exploration, to the pop culture of today. Part two details the latest scientific discoveries about orangutans and what we currently know about their habitat, diet, behavior, social structures and abilities. The final section of the book turns to the threats orangutans face today, from the destruction of their forest homes to deliberate killings, captures and the illegal trade that supplies animals for display, collection and entertainment. The author also surveys the efforts being made to save them from extinction, to preserve their ecosystems and to return orphaned orangutans to a life in the wild. Featuring over 150 full-color photographs, maps, a list of orangutan organizations to support and an extensive bibliography, Orangutans is an important, engaging and beautiful work about one of nature's most captivating animals."-- Provided by publisher

Reviews: Natural History

What the Bees See

What the Bees See: A Honeybee's Eye View of the World 

by Craig P. Burrows 

Language: English 

San Francisco, Chronicle Books, 2024. 

192 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 28 cm. 

ISBN: 9781797230184, 1797230182 

Summary: "Flowers glow in otherworldly blues and teals. An array of brilliant colors emerges from their petals. By exploring the wonders of the ultraviolet spectrum using innovative imaging technology, we come one step closer to understanding the extraordinary lives of bees. Photographer and horticulturalist Craig P. Burrows has spent the last ten years capturing flowers in this spectrum, and this book collects his stunning ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence (UVIVF) photos. In addition to these gorgeous nature images, the book illuminates our relationship with honeybees through in-depth research, diagrams, and archival images, exploring the science of pollination, the environmental impacts affecting bees, and the applications of bee products in the fields of medicine and cosmetics. A celebration of the symbiotic relationship between humans and honeybees that has benefited us throughout history, this book is an incredible look into the power of nature and how bees can help save the world"-- Provided by publisher

Understanding the World. The Atlas of Infographics

Understanding the World: The Atlas of Infographics 

by Sandra Rendgen 

Language: English 

Köln: Taschen, 2023. 

456 pages : illustrations, maps ; 32 cm. 

ISBN: 9783836594967, 383659496X 

Summary: "Dazzling in scale, diversity and detail, the world never ceases to open our eyes and captivate our curiosity. Ever since the earliest cave paintings, humans have looked at this Earth that is our home and endeavored to understand it. This expansive visual atlas presents the most exciting, creative and inspiring ways of explaining the world in information graphics. Divided into five chapters, the book covers the environment, technology, economics, society, and culture to reveal some of the Earth's greatest intricacies in accessible visual form. Featuring more than 280 graphics, reproduced in large scale including seven fold-out spreads, the collection focuses on the 21st century, but also includes historical masterpieces to put our current situation into perspective. Nigel Holmes introduces the book with an exclusive infographic of his own, while Sandra Rendgen provides an illustrated historical essay to explore how we have studied and interpreted our world over the centuries. With graphics drawn from such sources as Fortune, National Geographic, and The Guardian, this is not only a showcase of outstanding data design, but also a fascinating digest of where and how we live"--Publisher's description

Reviews: Geographical Magazine

Logo Design. Global Brands

Logo Design. Global Brands 

Language: English 

Köln: Taschen, 2024. 

601 pages, 7 unnumbered pagres : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 21 cm. 

ISBN: 9783836576758, 3836576759 

Summary: "Following up on the best-selling 'Bibliotheca Universalis' logo manual, this second volume focuses on corporate identity" emblems. "In a globalized world, more and more symbols convey values such as trust, quality, or reliability. This catalog comprehensively" compiles images from categories of "distinctive brands. From airlines and groceries, sportswear and computers, museums, and magazines, to car brands, music labels, pharmaceuticals, and internet portals, this" volume "offers around 4,500 brand logos including ... country, as well as brands and companies", and occasionally designers and/or year of origin. A "reference book for anyone interested in ... branding ..."--Amazon

Knowledge is Beautiful

Knowledge is Beautiful 

by David McCandless 

Language: English 

New York: Harper Design, 2020. 

255 pages : illustrations, maps ; 26 cm. 

ISBN: 9780062188229, 9780007427925, 0062188224, 0007427921 

Summary: Delves into the world of visualized data where stunning infographics that blend the facts with their connections, contexts, and relationships make information meaningful, entertaining, and beautiful.

Reviews: New Scientist; Communication Arts

Temples of Books: Magnificent Libraries Around the World

Temples of Books: Magnificent Libraries Around the World 

by Marianne Julia Strauss 

Language: English 

Berlin: Gestalten, 2022. 

301 pages : color illustrations ; 31 cm. 

ISBN: 9783967040241, 3967040240 

Summary: "Temples of Books celebrates the world’s oldest and grandest shrines to the written word, as well as new and tiny ones: from baroque palaces to micro-libraries made of recycled plastics, and the unlikely ones in between. Looking at the diverse architecture of global libraries throughout the ages, Temples of Books goes further and explores the very idea of libraries themselves. This is a book about the beauty of books, a book for book lovers and for those who believe in the power of ideals."--Provided by publisher

The Library: A World History

The Library: A World History 

by James W. P. Campbell 

Language: English 

Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2013. 

320 pages : color illustrations ; 32 cm. 

ISBN: 9780226092812, 022609281X 

Summary: A library is not just a collection of books, but also the buildings that house them. From the great dome of the Library of Congress, to the white facade of the Seinäjoki Library in Finland, the architecture of a library is a symbol of its time as well as of its builders' wealth, culture, and learning.

Reviews: TLS. Times Literary Supplement; Architectural Review; Libraries & the Academy; Information Research; Library & Information History; Technicalities

The World’s Most Beautiful Libraries

The World’s Most Beautiful Libraries 

by Massimo Listri, Georg Ruppelt, Elisabeth Sladek 

Language: English 

Cologne: Taschen, 2023. 

510 pages : illustrations (chiefly colour) ; 22 cm. 

ISBN: 9783836593816, 3836593815 

Summary: "From the mighty halls of ancient Alexandria to the coffered ceilings of the Morgan Library in New York, human beings have had a long, enraptured relationship with libraries. Like no other concept and like no other space, the collection of knowledge, learning, and imagination offers a sense of infinite possibility. It?s the unrivaled realm of discovery, where every faded manuscript or mighty clothbound tome might reveal a provocative new idea, a far-flung fantasy, an ancient belief, a religious conviction, or a whole new way of being in the world. In this new photographic journey, Massimo Listri travels to some of the oldest and finest libraries to reveal their architectural, historical, and imaginative wonder. Through great wooden doors, up spiraling staircases, and along exquisite, shelf-lined corridors, he leads us through outstanding private, public, educational, and monastic libraries, dating as far back as 766. Between them, these medieval, classical, baroque, rococo, and 19th-century institutions hold some of the most precious records of human thought and deed, inscribed and printed in manuscripts, volumes, papyrus scrolls, and incunabula. In each, Listri?s poised images capture the library?s unique atmosphere, as much as their most prized holdings and design details. Featured libraries include the papal collections of the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Trinity College Library, home to the Book of Kells and Book of Durrow. With meticulous descriptions accompanying each featured library, we learn not only of the libraries? astonishing holdings--from which highlights are illustrated--but also of their often lively, turbulent, or controversial pasts. Like the Franciscan monastery in Lima, Peru, with its horde of archival Inquisition documents. At once a bibliophile beauty pageant, an ode to knowledge, and an evocation of the particular magic of print, this compact edition of our best-selling XXL-title is above all a cultural-historical pilgrimage to the heart of our halls of learning, to the stories they tell, as much as those they gather in printed matter along polished shelves."--Publisher

Reviews: Architectual Digest

Treasures of Egypt: A Legacy in Photographs From the Pyramids to Cleopatra

Treasures of Egypt: A Legacy in Photographs From the Pyramids to Cleopatra 

Language: English 

Washington, DC: National Geographic, 2022. 

399 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), color maps ; 29 cm.

ISBN: 9781426222634, 1426222637 

Summary: "The images in this breathtaking volume celebrate the vibrant beauty and rich cultural heritage of Egypt on the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut's tomb"-- Provided by publisher

Reviews: Booklist

The rainbow atlas : a guide to the world's 500 most colorful places

The rainbow atlas : a guide to the world's 500 most colorful places

by Taylor Fuller 

Language: English 

San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2020. 

400 pages : color illustrations ; 24 cm. 

ISBN: 9781452182827, 1452182825 

Summary: "This vibrant book takes readers on a tour of 500 eye-poppingly colorful spots around the world. It spans natural phenomena, architectural wonders, art installations, and more, ranging from the pink lakes of the Yucatan Peninsula to China's Rainbow Mountains, and from the colorful streets of Cape Town to the Museum of Ice Cream in San Francisco. Each entry pairs a stunning photo with an evocative caption, and the book's rich content is organized by longitude, creating fun and unexpected juxtapositions"-- Provided by publisher

Cultural Treasures of the World

Cultural Treasures of the World 

Language: English 

New York: DK Publishing, 2022. 

440 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 29 cm. 

ISBN: 9780241508923, 9780744060065, 0241508924, 0744060060 

Summary: "Take a guided tour through history and discover the most precious, iconic, and celebrated objects ever created. Revered, admired, and protected - every country and culture has certain artefacts that are prized above all others. Cultural Treasures of the World brings together more than 200 of these objects, exploring the fascinating and unique stories behind each of them. From the Bust of Nefertiti to the Benin Bronzes, and the Altamira cave paintings to Van Gogh's Sunflowers, these artefacts and artworks are revered for their beauty, artistry, or historical significance - and often all three at once. Discover how and why they were created, unravel the hidden meanings and symbolism they contain, and learn about the cultural legacy they have left behind. A treasure trove of human creativity that offers a fresh and unforgettable new perspective on civilizations and societies, Cultural Treasures of the World is the perfect gift for gallery- and museum-lovers, and armchair travellers everywhere"--Publisher's description