Arts and Culture

A celebration of the wildest and weirdest that action cinema has to offer, the hosts of the Really Awful Movies podcast take you on a fun-filled pilgrimage through the nuttiest movies in the genre. Traversing both decades and continents, these 100 titles reach beyond the typical patron saints of action, giving unsung genre heroes like Vic Diaz, Reb Brown, and Godfrey Ho their due. Our intrepid hos

This lavishly illustrated and authoritative book presents the secret history of Stasi and Warsaw Pact subminiature spy cameras used during the Cold War. It is a history that could have been written only through the collaboration of veteran Stasi technical intelligence officers and the world's foremost historians on Cold War spy cameras and tradecraft. With more than 450 photographs, the book revea

A complex and contradictory graffiti culture has been brewing over the last few decades in one of the least expected settings—China’s capital. Through an unparalleled collection of one local photographer’s images, as well as interviews with 25 prolific artists, see how Beijing has developed its graffiti movement against the backdrop of the once-secluded nation’s rise to global economic might. Whil

Every person who owns a pinball machine, or who is thinking of buying one, will find a wealth of valuable information and step-by-step help in this thorough, updated manual. For electromechanical and electronic machines: choosing and buying a pinball machine; different types and vintages of machines; components and features; setup and game adjustments; how to maintain, clean, and service your mach

This yearlong workshop guides you through 52 weekly lessons that not only improve your technical skills but refine your personal style, preferences, and expression. The first half of the year focuses on learning and polishing the building blocks—such as line, perspective, and shading—while the second empowers you to make choices and question “methods.” Each week includes an introductory quote from

A fresh and enticing introduction to the art of millinery, blending modern design and refined techniques with trusted traditional methods. Clear and concise, this book has been compiled with all budgets and a variety of skill levels in mind. Explore core millinery materials through a series of techniques based on a single wooden block and sculptural, hand-sewn, flat-patterned hats. Learn how to pu

Mercedes-Benz G-Class specialist Jörg Sand has written the ultimate book on this all-wheel-drive legend, from its design and development to its extraordinary and diverse career up to the present day. Very few automobiles remain as faithful in their character and appearance as the hardcore, all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz G-Class luxury SUV. Even when it comes to the most recent series, the W 463 A,

The French Model 1949 9 mm submachine gun is most closely associated with France's decolonization campaigns, including Indochina and Algeria. The MAT-49 (Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle) is a simple, robust, compact, and reliable weapon that was used throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. Though production ceased in 1979, it is still used by some military forces to the present day. With its n

Aimee McCulloch, an accomplished modern glass artist, goes beyond traditional stained-glass techniques and makes glass into modern and contemporary works of art. Enjoy that contemporary focus in this complete guide as she first teaches beginner stained-glass skills (cutting glass, soldering, etc.) before launching you into 10 ambitious, exciting, and inspiring projects that can be displayed at hom

The North American B-25 Mitchell is WWII’s most heralded and versatile medium bomber. Volume 1 (of two) gives the reader a concise illustrated look at the A through D models and follows the bomber’s genesis from the formation of the North American Company and its early steps toward the development of the NA-40, the first B-25. The continued evolution of the Mitchell from the A, B, C, and finally t

The McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II—vertical/short takeoff and landing (VSTOL)—is the US Marine Corps’ current frontline close-air-support aircraft. A variant of the famed British Aerospace Harrier II, the AV-8B is noted for its ability to hover in place, ideal for operating on smaller carriers and in less-than-ideal landing zones. This book provides a concise overview of VSTOL capabilities and

This second of two volumes on the North American B-25 Mitchell covers the late-WWII G through J, F-10, and PBJ variants of the famed US medium bomber. Among the many topics discussed are the Mitchell versions used by the US Navy and Marine Corps, as well as photo-recon and experimental types. B-25s in foreign wartime service are also shown, including those used in Poland, France, England, and Sovi

CAVS (Paul Cavalieri), a prolific and influential Bronx graffiti writer for nearly 40 years, shares hundreds of photos of his work, his progression as an artist, and stories of the New York City graffiti scene through the decades in one colorful volume. From the Wakefield neighborhood in the northern borough of the Bronx, CAVS tells his own story in his own singular voice. With a chapter examining

Let us rejoice in the genius that is Kevin Smith!This fun and photo-filled biography celebrates the life, films, and fans of the director responsible for such indie cult classics as Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and Dogma. Movie-industry veteran David Gati has compiled and edited this humorous and insightful look at Smith’s nearly 30-year moviemaking journey. Through Smith's own uncensored storie

From tea fields to technology, women are the resilient, hardworking backbone of their communities. Award-winning photographer Alison Wright's 128 dynamic color plates portray women in more than 25 developing countries, whose perseverance is often overlooked. Women from Nicaragua to Nepal share empowering experiences of rising above their circumstances, be it poverty or oppressive cultural conventi

You may not know his name but you know his incredible designsBritish concept designer Paul Gerrard has created some of the most memorable and celebrated costume and character designs in film and TV. From Hellboy and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Battle: Los Angeles and Dungeons & Dragons (2023), his surreal sci-fi figures and landscapes have captured the imagination and admiration of movie a

What do a folding bicycle, umbrella, toilet brush, and water bottle all have in common? They are examples of good design—something we often recognize but can't express in words. This graphically delightful book is guaranteed to raise readers' Design IQ by defining the seven characteristics of good design. Each chapter describes one characteristic, accompanied by five product examples illustrated i

In this updated edition, the extraordinary life of Stoney St. Clair—circus performer turned tattoo artist—comes to life in photos, tattoo flash, and his own words, edited by writer and filmmaker Alan Govenar. Born Leonard St. Clair in 1912 in West Virginia, Stoney discovered his passion for drawing at Johns Hopkins, where he was being treated for rheumatoid arthritis. Not deterred by his disabilit

Amazing characters are what bring manga to life, and this guide—created in cooperation with COPIC—gives illustrated, easy-to-understand, and thorough instructions on how to create characters that jump off the page. As manga artists around the world know, COPIC markers are not simply for "coloring" . . . their blendability and color range mean amazing realism and special effects. For any of the fiv

Language, writing, and letters are the basis of our communication as human beings—and calligraphy celebrates the inherent beauty of this need to share and connect. This volume showcases what calligraphy has grown to be in the 21st century, featuring 101 artists from the worlds of graffiti, tattooing, graphic design, painting, illustration, poster art, comics, and more. Their different mediums, sty