For many, Salvador Dali represents the Surrealist painter par excellence, one whose work explored his own dream life, hallucinations, and fetishes in the process of objectifying the irrational elements of the unconscious. In this rare and important volume, the painter expresses (in his inimitably eccentric fashion) his ideas of what painting should be, expounds on what is good and bad painting, offers opinions on the merits of Vermeer, Picasso, Cézanne, and other artists, and expresses his thoughts on the history of painting. Illustrated with the artist's own drawings, this volume is a fascinating mixture of serious artistic advice, lively personal anecdotes, and academic craftsmanship. It is, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, "in lay-out and clarity of design... a remarkable work of art in itself." Especially esteemed for its insights into modern art, 50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship is indispensable reading for any student of Surrealism or 20th century avant-garde painting. Technique and craftmanship of Dali painting. Dalí presents 50 "secrets" for mastering the art of painting and achieving artistic success. A must-have work for anyone interested in Dali, Surrealism, and 20th century art.

A startling new look at the life's work of a photographer who had an enormous impact on the way we see the world.

In 1942, a dashing young man who liked nothing so much as a heated game of poker, a good bottle of scotch, and the company of a pretty girl hopped a merchant ship to England. He was Robert Capa, the brilliant and daring photojournalist, and Collier's magazine had put him on assignment to photograph the war raging in Europe. In these pages, Capa recounts his terrifying journey through the darkest battles of World War II and shares his memories of the men and women of the Allied forces who befriended, amused, and captivated him along the way. His photographs are masterpieces -- John G. Morris, Magnum Photos' first executive editor, called Capa "the century's greatest battlefield photographer" -- and his writing is by turns riotously funny and deeply moving. From Sicily to London, Normandy to Algiers, Capa experienced some of the most trying conditions imaginable, yet his compassion and wit shine on every page of this book. Charming and profound, Slightly Out of Focus is a marvelous memoir told in words and pictures by an extraordinary man.

THIS is the story of a gallant, beautiful and glamorous American woman. For more than thirty years, Margaret Bourke-White had made photographic history as the first photographer to see the artistic and storytelling possibilities in American industry, as the first to write social criticism with a lens, and as the most distinguished and venturesome foreign correspondent-with-a camera to report wars, politics and social and political revolution on three continents. In the world of pictures, of magazines, of books, she won fame and fortune. Here are the tales of her struggles to master her art and craft, of photographing Stalin, Gandhi and many other notables, of being torpedoed off North Africa while reporting World War II, of flying combat missions, of photographing the dread murder camps of Nazi Germany, of touring Tobacco Road to produce the book You Have Seen Their Faces with Erskine Caldwell (whom she later married), of adventures and wonderful picture-taking in the mines of South Africa, in the frozen North, in war-torn Korea. And then, tragically, this beautiful and indomitably vigorous woman was stricken by Parkinson's disease. This story of Miss Bourke-White's winning battle with Parkinsons was the subject first of a long report in Life Magazine and then of a thrilling documentary television film which was seen throughout the nation.

A colorful, instructive, and empowering celebration of African American achievers, past and present, this striking volume is enriched by historical discussion, archival photos, and the finest contemporary reportage, and is deserving of a vital place in the home library of every American family. 270 photos, 240 in color.

At seventeen, Dorothea Lange knew she would be a photographer--even though she had never taken a picture. She had grown up observing the life of the poor people in the street with an artist's keen eye. As a young photographer, Dorothea focused that eye on the hungry and homeless people of the Great Depression. She traveled across the country, documenting their struggles. Today her pictured are treasured not only as works of art, but as testaments to human strength.

Just months before her death, Marilyn Monroe gave a young photographer his big break, and this is his story "You're already famous, now you're going to make me famous," photographer Lawrence Schiller said to Marilyn Monroe as they discussed the photos he was about to shoot of her. "Don't be so cocky," Marilyn replied, "photographers can be easily replaced." The year was 1962, and Schiller, 25, was on assignment for Paris Match magazine. He already knew Marilyn -- they had met on the set of Let's Make Love -- but nothing could have prepared him for the day she appeared nude during a swimming pool scene for the motion picture Something's Got to Give . Marilyn & Me is an intimate story of a legend before her fall and a young photographer on his way to the top. Schiller's original text and extraordinary photographs--over two thirds of which have never or rarely been published --take us back to that time, and to the surprising connection that allowed Marilyn to bond with a kid from Brooklyn, a kid with a lot of ambition but very little experience. Now, 50 years later, TASCHEN is publishing Lawrence Schiller's story as a signed, numbered monograph limited to 1,962 copies, for the year of Monroe's untimely death. Schiller's is a story that has never been told before, and he tells it with tact, humor, and compassion. The result is a real and unexpected portrait that captures the star in the midst of her final struggle. Collector's Edition of 1,712 numbered copies (books numbered No. 251-1,962) signed by the photographer. Also available in two Art Editions of 125 copies , each with an original photograph The book and clamshell box are covered in a custom woven duchesse silk from one of the world's most distinguished silk mills, Taroni , of Como, Italy Printed on archival paper Four foldouts, with one gatefold measuring a full 110 cm (44 in.) across Translation booklet of the text available in German, French and Spanish with purchase upon request

Through two award-winning National Public Radio documentaries, and now this powerful book, LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman have made it their mission to be loud voices from one of this country's darkest places, Chicago's Ida B. Wells housing project. Set against the stunning photographs of a talented young photographer from the projects, Our America evokes the unforgiving world of these two amazing young men, and their struggle to survive unrelenting tragedy. With a gift for clear-eyed journalism, they tell their own stories and others, including that of the death of Eric Morse, a five-year-old who was dropped to his death from the fourteenth floor of an Ida B. Wells apartment building by two other little boys. Sometimes funny, often painful, but always charged with their dream of Our America, LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman reach out to grab your attention and break your heart.

A visually arresting volume of reflections on nature and life illustrated with vivid, color photographs and watercolors of a lush tropical island. Following the course of a day, the author transports readers into a paradise of physical splendor and spiritual exploration. Through visuals and text, she communicates her experiences with nature and its impact on the senses.

These interviews with Henry Rollins conducted by RE/Search (and Search & Destroy) founder V. Vale focus on Henry's travels -- often to countries considered dangerous and off-limits. There are references to Punk Rock history, the Occupy movement, and numerous personal adventures and experiences over the past 30-plus years of combing the planet giving musical and Spoken Word performances, and generally being as creative and humorous as possible no matter what the situation may be . Whatever Henry wants to do, he does it while giving his full attention, like a kind of Zen master. RE/Search tries to reveal the full scope of his creativity, achievements and darkly sardonic perceptiveness and contempt for cliche. This book is full of both humor and inspiration.

"During his 50-year association with the Village Voice, Fred W. McDarrah (1926-2007) covered the city's downtown scenes, producing an unmatched and encyclopedic visual record of people, movements, and events. McDarrah frequented the bars, cafés, and galleries where writers, artists, and musicians gathered, and he was welcome in the apartments and lofts of the city's avant-garde cultural aristocracy. He captured every vital moment, from Jack Kerouac reading poetry, to Bob Dylan hanging out in Sheridan Square, to Andy Warhol filming in the Factory, to the Stonewall Riots. Through his lens, we see the legendary birth of ideas and attitudes that continue to shape the character and allure of New York today." -- Publisher's description