Book Beat 154

To paraphrase Francis Bacon, some books should be chewed and digested thoroughly. Hoping you’ll find some that excite your taste buds in these new arrivals: Art books in many categories including monographs, bios, cartoons, comics, exhibition catalogs, and graphics; lots of biographies and memoirs; Children’s non-fiction, chapter, and picture books; History, including European, American, ancient, WW II, and Japan; Literature, novels, poetry, and science fiction; social sciences; science reports; sports; and travel. Here’s a sampling. See all the New Arrivals. Availability subject to prior sale.

Underground comix database Comixjoint gave Funny Aminals a 9/10 ranking, calling the writing "solid" and the illustrations "exceptional", adding a four-star historical bonus for Maus. — Funny Animals (SIGNED BY SPIEGELMAN)

Funny Aminals is a 1972 single-issue anthology underground comic book created by Robert Crumb and a collection of other artists. The work is notable for containing the first published version of Art Spiegelman’s Maus. Read More

$1500.00

A dramatic narrative about a baseball game, the poem was later popularized by DeWolf Hopper in many vaudeville performances. It has become one of the best-known poems in American literature and the last line a classic, "But there is no joy in Mudville-mighty Casey has struck out." — Casey at Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888 (SIGNED COPY)

One of the best-known poems in American literature. The famous last line, “And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville-mighty Casey has struck out.” Read More

$30.00

The Book of Ceremonial Magic by Arthur Edward Waite was originally called The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts. It was first published in a limited run in 1898, and distributed more widely under the title The Book of Ceremonial Magic in 1910. — The Book of Ceremonial Magic: A Complete Grimoire

Originally called The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts when first published in a limited run in 1898, then distributed more widely as The Book of Ceremonial Magic in 1910. Explains the history and theology behind medieval and Renaissance grimoires. Read More

$100.00

A definitive guide to the indigenous religions of people of color in the Caribbean. Gives interesting historical context to the development of creole, Afro-Latin religions. — Creole Religions of the Caribbean: An Introduction from Vodou and Santeria to Obeah and Espiritismo

A definitive guide to the indigenous religions of people of color in the Caribbean, from Vodou, Santer a, Regla de Palo, the Abaku Secret Society, and Obeah to Quimbois and Espiritismo, as well as the newer traditions such as Pocomania and Rastafarianism. Read More

$15.00

Fames the scope of the Molly Maguire. trial, the charged offenses, and the legal arguments on both sides. It includes the Commonwealth’s case, the defendants’ defense, and expert medical and character testimony, all anchored by the detailed courtroom proceedings. — Report of the Case of The Commonwealth vs. John Kehoe et al.

Groundbreaking transcript of a landmark 1876 case against the Molly Maguire, a secret society of Irish immigrants active in the 19th century, particularly in Pennsylvania, known for their violent activism among coal miners fighting against poor working conditions and exploitation. Read More

$100.00

Having played violins from many manufacturers, Henley sought to compile a comprehensive list evaluating violin and bow makers. After Henley’s death in 1957, dealer Cyril Woodcock completed and published the work based on Henley’s unfinished notes. A significant reference. Read More

$300.00

"The Notorious EGF" was a prominent labor leader in the early 20th century. Her life was a whirlwind of speeches, strikes, negotiations, and fights.She went everywhere. Fought for everyone. Got arrested often. — The Rebel Girl: An Autobiography, My First Life (1906-1926)

“The Notorious EGF” was down for the fight. A prominent labor leader in the early 20th century, Elizabeth G. Flynn’s life was a whirlwind of speeches, strikes, negotiations, and fights. She went everywhere. Fought for everyone. Got arrested often. Read More

$18.00

A kind of sociological look at the causes of collective violence, its forms, as well as the reasons that people take part in group violence. — The Politics of Collective Violence

Tilly presents some new ways of charting collective violence. He uses brawls, rituals, gang violence, protection rackets and other forms of violent action to identify their common denominators. Read More

$15.00

A comprehensive examination of political history over two hundred years. Sheds new light on topics from the Glorious Revolution of 1688 to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Includes case studies. Examines how fear has been used as a tool by those in power to influence and control societies. — Bourgeois Liberty and the Politics of Fear: From Absolutism to Neo-Conservatism

A deep dive into two hundred years of political history. Includes topics from the Glorious Revolution of 1688 to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Examines how fear has been used to influence and control societies. Read More

$35.00

Dewald offers a new understanding of how modern culture came to be as aristocratic sensibilities evolved from tradition to self during the seventeenth century in France. — Aristocratic Experience and the Origins of Modern Culture: France, 1570-1715

Dewald offers a new understanding of how, during the seventeenth century in France, modern culture evolved as aristocratic sensibilities moved from following the rules of tradition toward focusing on “self”. Read More

$50.00

Industrial Sublime focuses on the shift in both style and sensibility during the years 1900-1940 when American art shifted its focus from bucolic landscapes to the cities, the towns, the crowds. — Industrial Sublime: Modernism and the Transformation of New York’s Rivers, 1900-1940

The subject matter and the illustrations are thrilling as we follow the shift in both style and sensibility during the years 1900-1940 when American art shifted its focus from bucolic landscapes to the cities, the towns, the crowds. Read More

$70.00

Maier worked as a nanny, but thrived as a photographer. Photos included in this volume are a good representation of the variety of her work, from early landscapes to portrait and street photography. — Vivian Maier Developed: The Untold Story of the Photographer Nanny

She worked as a nanny, but thrived as a photographer. The remarkable story of Vivian Maier, the nanny who lived secretly as a world-class photographer. Features nearly 400 of her images. Read More

$28.00

The first cause listed, "Extreme heat, and extreme cold. Both these act with most certainty upon old and sickly people. Dr. Euxham remarks, that old people are often found dead in their beds, after an extreme cold or warm night ; and there are few physicians who have not had patients suddenly and unexpectedly snatched out of their hands, by the extremes of heat and cold." — An Inaugural Essay on the Cause of Sudden Death and the Means of Preventing It….

An insightful look at the state of medical knowledge circa 1804 from a soon-to-be graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Medical School, the oldest medical school in the United States. We’ve come a long way since then. Read More

$100.00

A view of what was known in 1804 about plagues starts by explaining: "The origin of the Plague has long been a contested point. The ancient Egyptians ascribed it to infection brought by flying serpents, and they worshipped the bird Ibis for destroying them". — An essay on the analogy of the Asiatic and African plague and the American yellow fever

Jenks predicts a new era … “When…we shall unanimously view our autumnal fevers, as the effect of natural causes which are in our power to controul; and not a particular judgment from Heaven.” Read More

$100.00

Harold B. Lentz was an American illustrator known for his work on pop-up books, including “The Pop-Up Pinocchio” and “The Pop-Up Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” He was active primarily in the 1930s and created engaging illustrations for children’s literature. Read More

$150.00

Carlson’s superb sense of design and color (usually limited to black and one other color) is evident on every page of this book, making it useful as a visual reference for artists and web designers. Carlson drew the cover for the first edition of 'Gone With the Wind'. — Perfect Nonsense: Chaotic Comics and Goofy Games of George Carlson

For the first half of the 20th century George Carlson was one of the most prolific and well-known illustrators in the United States. His whimsical and arresting full page illustrations appeared in children’s books and magazines, comic books. Read More

$60.00

Fair Haven would develop extensive quarries for the stone, believed at the time to be inexhaustible, which was supplied to cities along the Atlantic coast and in the West. Some of it was made into the framed, book-sized writing slates that students of the time used. — A History of the Town of Fair Haven, Vermont

In 1783, Colonel Matthew Lyon moved to Fair Haven, VT and began building mills along the Castleton River. It was just the beginning. Fair Haven grew into a very properous “mill” town of many goods and incidently became the “Slate Capital of the Nation.” Read More

$250.00

Well-written, well-researched history. Covers three biographies — of Theodore, of Eleanor, and of Franklin. All the three Roosevelts suffered, and all the three overcame their traumas but were nevertheless shaped by them. — The Roosevelts: An Intimate History

This book fills-in some of the details which weren’t covered in the seven episodes of Ken Burns’ terrific documentary “The Roosevelts.” Adds interesting details specifically to the biographies of Theodore, Eleanor, and Franklin. Read More

$40.00

Provides valuable historical insights into London's maritime industry, 1803. Also a good source for modern-day sailors and historians interested in the history of navigation. — A New Catalogue Of The Best Charts, Pilots, And Navigation Books (1803)

This catalogue provides interesting insights into London’s maritime industry, circa 1803. Also a valuable source of maritime information for modern-day sailors and historians interested in the history of navigation. Read More

$100.00

This book to explores the extent to which Russian poets in wartime produced work which conformed to official expectations, and also the ways in which poets were able to set their own agenda. — Written With The Bayonet: Soviet Russian Poetry Of World War Two

In a chronological survey, this book looks at the poetry written by Soviet Poets between 1941 and 1945. The poetry is explained in its historical and literary-political context. The author also explores the influence of the Stalinist culture. Read More

$40.00

By 1300 almost all towns were defined by stone walls and had secured charters. This book traces the evolution of towns across much of what is today France from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth century when the walls began to come down. — Walled Towns and the Shaping of France: From the Medieval to the Early Modern Era

The walled cities of France began going up around 900 when towns tried to defend themselves. Each city had their own charter, and developed their own culture and governance. In the 18th century the walls began to come down, but provided for the structure of France, the nation state. Read More

$100.00

It follows the adventurous search for a missing ship captain after a message from him is found in a bottle retrieved from a shark's stomach. The expedition sails, circumnavigating the 37th parallel south - the only legible coordinate in the message. — A Voyage Round the World In Search of the Castaways

The adventurous search for a missing ship captain after a message from him is found in a bottle retrieved from a shark’s stomach. The expedition sails, circumnavigating the 37th parallel south – the only legible coordinate in the message. Read More

$1500.00

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Book Beat 154

Book Beat 154