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77th out of 122 books
—
19 voters
Art of McSweeney's
A novel with each cover hand-illustrated by the author. Literary journals bound by magnets, or designed to look like junk mail. The sharp wit, gorgeous design, and playful why not invention of independent literary publisher McSweeney's have earned it a large and loyal following and made its journals, books, The Believer magazine, and Wholphin DVDs collectible favorites of...more
Hardcover, 264 pages
Published
June 23rd 2010
by Chronicle Books
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This book is an oral history of the first 11 years of McSweeney's. It's fascinating and funny, somewhat inspiring. There are also a lot of remaindered copies around so you should be able to find it very cheap. The book opens with Eggers' four-page email to get writers to submit to the first issue. In that email he makes a comment, seemingly a joke, "If we're not careful, we might make publishing history!" And they did, right? In the last fifteen years, McSweeney's has again and again made a case...more
This was hands down the best design book I've purchased in years. So inspirational. I read it cover to cover and I think I might read it again. It's not so much the art, which obviously is phenomenal, it's the anecdotal commentary that make it indispensable. I particularly enjoyed the publishing tips. Get this book.
Gorgeous. Insightful. Inspiring. Full of process and shop-talk details you never hear about even in the glossy design mags. Highly recommended for anyone interested in design.
A literary coffeetable book that showcases the painstakingly-detailed book jackets and production processes from one of today's most innovative publishers.
stuck true to it's title and is mostly about the design and making of books. And McSweeney's has made some really interesting ones. Inspirational for designers and print managers. Even includes a list of printing costs! :-)
Jul 04, 2012
Betsy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
McSweeney's fans+minions, illustration lovers
Ok, so I PERUSED this book, but it is hefty and lovely, and I will peruse and peruse as the moments strike.
This is a great book for fans of McSweeney's, publishers, writers, book designers, or people who just love to delve into the creative process. This book will help inspire creativity- be it literary or design.
I've always been fascinated and inspired by the McSweeney's publications, and this book's oral history format is wonderfully entertaining and illuminating. What could have been just a glorified picture book is also a compelling historical narrative that makes me want to go back to the actual issues and discover all the little details and literature I missed.
Definitely a coffee table book, but the most inspiring making-of book I've ever read. McSweeney's has a scrappy history, and its people work hard and try to make stuff they actually think is interesting! Seems pretty standard but I honestly think most people don't push their personal work nearly as far as it can go.
Like most designs books, this is beautifully put together and really shows the interesting ways that McSweeney's visually approaches its layouts and covers. However, as a read, it's not very gripping. Stay for the pictures. Glaze over the words.
"Nothing is impossible when you work for the circus."
May 04, 2013
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