Foreword Book of the Year Awards Finalists

ForeWord Magazine recently announced their finalists for their 2012 Book of the Year Awards, which include three books from Insight Editions! The winners will be announced at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago, Friday, June 28th, 6pm at The Pop Top Stage.


Rolling Stones 50 x 20 (Insight Editions), Performing Arts & Music category
By Chris Murray, Foreword: Richard Harrington, Hardcover, Price: $34.99

Rolling Stones 50 x 20 celebrates one of the most influential, enduring, and controversial bands in rock history with images captured by twenty of the world's greatest music photographers. Chris Murray is the founder and director of Govinda Gallery in Washington, D.C. For over thirty years, Murray has organized more than 200 exhibitions of many of the nation's leading artists and photographers. Richard Harrington is a writer whose work has appeared in the Washington Post and the Washington Star.

The Monkey King (Insight Editions), Art category
Hardcover, Price: $40.00

The Monkey King collects the work of 72 international artists who were asked to draw the mythical Chinese hero, the Monkey King, in his or her own unique way. The result is a stunning collection of different interpretations, styles, and media. The Monkey King is a centuries-old character from Chinese literature,
possessed of incredible strength and supernatural powers, and capable of 72 transformations into various animals and objects. The artists’ step-by-step drawings and text explaining their creative process are also included.

Under the Halo (Insight Editions), Sports category
By Pete Donovan, Preface: Arte Moreno, Foreword: Tim Salmon, 
Introduction: Mike Scioscia
Hardcover, Price: $50.00

Generations of Angels fans can relive their favorite team moments in Under the Halo. With more than 300 images, a vintage lineup sheet, game tickets, postcards, and a fold-out timeline of the Angels' history, this book traces the memorable moments, personalities, and accomplishments of this remarkable franchise. Tim Salmon spent his entire career with the Angels, where he earned the American League's Rookie of the Year award in 1993 and finished as one of the most popular players in team history. Arte Moreno and his Angels have won five American League Western Division championships since he took over the team in 2003. Mike Scioscia has been the manager of the Angels since 2000. Pete Donovan is a sports columnist for the Palm Springs Desert Sun, is a former sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times, and has covered and followed the Angels for over 40 years.

Remembering Ken Regan

Source: nytimes.com via Insight Editions on Pinterest

2012 has come to a close and upon reflecting on the many wonderful moments we had to share as a company, we couldn't discuss the year's events without mentioning Ken Regan and what a great loss we experienced with his death in late November.

We first worked with Regan on his 2007 book, Knockout: The Art of Boxing where he showcased photos of Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Oscar de la Hoya and many more, both in and out of the ring.

In 2011, we released All Access: The Rock 'n' Roll Photography of Ken Regan. Over 300 pages and nearly 5 pounds, it really is the ultimate coffee table book for music lovers.

Ken was there to witness it all. His photos will walk you through music history, and some pretty amazing moments in sports, dating back to the 60s.

Photography has changed since Ken first started out, but he will be missed by many. We are honored to have published his art and memories with fans who, no doubt, will continue to share Ken's work with future generations.

eBooks available from Insight Editions

Did Santa leave you a copy of your favorite book under the tree or a gift card in your stocking?

If you have money to spend, or a gift certificate to redeem at your favorite online bookstore, why not pick up an eBook or two?

Here are just a few titles Insight Editions has available in digital form for your reading pleasure.

Slash: An Intimate Portrait Photography by Robert Knight Text by Richard Bienstock Download the iBook Purchase the Hardcover Edition  America's Team: The Authorized History of the Dallas Cowboys by Jeff Sullivan Foreword by Jerry Jones Download the iBook Purchase the Hardcover Edition One on One: Rolling Stones Photography by Gered Mankowitz Text by Sean Egan Download the iBook Purchase the Paperback Edition

Goodnight Husband, Goodnight Wife by Justin Stangel and Eric Stangel Illustrations by Adam J. Raiti Download the iBook Purchase the Hardcover Edition Clint Eastwood: Icon The Essential Film Art Collection by David Frangioni Download the iBook Purchase the Hardcover Edition I've Never Met an Idiot on the River: Reflections on Family, Photography, and Fly-Fishing by Henry Winkler Download the iBook Download the Kindle Version Purchase the Hardcover Edition

Barbarians: A Handbook for Aspiring Savages by Dr. Byron Clavicle and Grute Skullbasher Illustrations by Joshua Kemble Download the iBook Purchase the Hardcover Edition Mail-Order Mysteries: Real Stuff from Old Comic Book Ads by Kirk Demarais Download the iBook Purchase the Hardcover Edition Inception:  The Shooting Script by Christopher Nolan Download the iBook   Download the Kindle Version    Purchase the Paperback Edition

Also available from iTunes: Whitney Houston: The Voice, the Music, the Inspiration and Batmobile: The Complete History.

50 Years with The Rolling Stones

Coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the "World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band," Rolling Stones 50x20 celebrates the career of the Rolling Stones as seen through the lens of twenty world-class photographers. This stunning visual essay brings together more than eighty exceptional black-and-white and color photographs that document the longevity, celebrity, and popularity of the band synonymous with rock.

Beginning with Gus Coral's photos of the Stones' first tour of England in the fall of 1963, Rolling Stones 50x20 chronicles the band's development through such key periods as the Between the Buttons images of Gered Mankowitz, the Satanic Majesties Request-era photographs of Michael Cooper, the Beggar's Banquet session photos of Michael Joseph, and much, much more.

Chronologically sequenced, each photographer's work is accompanied by a personal essay that discusses the significance of and circumstances surrounding the images and when they were shot.

Rolling Stones 50x20 features the photographs of Fernando Aceves, Bob Bonis, Gus Coral, Michael Cooper, William Coupon, Barry Feinstein, David Fenton, Claude Gassian, Bob Gruen, Ross Halfin, Michael Joseph, Eddie Kramer, Chris Makos, Gered Mankowitz, Jan Olofsson, Michael Putland, Mark Seliger, Eric Swayne, Mark Weiss, and Baron Wolman.

Featuring a foreword by Richard Harrington, music writer for the Washington Post, an introduction by the book's editor, Chris Murray, founder and director of Govinda Gallery in Washington, D.C.; and an afterword by Chris Salewicz, writer for the NME and author of many books, Rolling Stones 50x20 delivers an intimate look at the artists and portrays defining moments in their illustrious career.

An Evening with Narada Michael Walden

On December 5th, 2012, Narada Michael Walden appeared at The Grammy Museum to discuss his latest project, play some music and share his new book, Whitney Houston: The Voice, the Music, the Inspiration (Insight Editions, 2012). 

Walden sat in the cockpit alongside Whitney while her career skyrocketed, producing many of the hits that today comprise her musical legacy-among them, "How Will I Know," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," "Where Do Broken Hearts Go," and "One Moment in Time." His intimate stories of their unforgettable times together, both inside and outside the recording studio, draw a portrait of a smart, funny, compassionate woman whose striking physical beauty was matched by her inner strength and justifiable self-confidence. 

As the cousin of Dionne Warwick and daughter of Cissy Houston, Whitney was able to draw on her lineage to make an unprecedented impact. And, at the same time, she and Narada enjoyed a rock-solid bond, fostered through their shared musical and spiritual backgrounds. 

Narada Michael Walden is an Emmy and Grammy-award winning producer and songwriter for artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin, Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Wynonna Judd, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand, Stevie Wonder, and Tom Jones. He has earned equal acclaim as a recording and performing artist and in 2012 will release his solo album Thunder. He lives in San Rafael, CA.


 
An Evening with Narada Michael Walden at the Grammy Museum from Insight Editions on Vimeo.

Today in Music History - Jimi Hendrix celebrates his birthday with The Rolling Stones

Today in music history - (November 27, 1969) Jimi Hendrix celebrates his birthday at The Rolling Stones concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. 

Eddie Kramer was there to capture this photo of Jimi and Mick backstage and we're thrilled to have this image included in our book Rolling Stones 50x20, celebrating the fifty-year career of this legendary rock band.

Jimi Hendrix can be found in many of our photography books featuring legendary musicians, such as The Experience (photos by Gered Mankowitz), Rock Gods (photos by Robert M. Knight) and All Access (photos by Ken Regan).

More images of The Rolling Stones can be seen in Gered Mankowitz' latest collection, One on One: Rolling Stones.

Holiday Gift Guide

We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re shopping for your significant other, who enjoys video games, football, and films, or your mom, who likes crafts, cooking, and comedy, Insight Editions has books in our catalog for everyone on your holiday gift list, including that one person who is always the most difficult to shop for.

House of Cash: The Legacies of My Father, Johnny Cash by John Carter Cash Hardcover $39.95 House of Cash provides an unprecedented look at the life and inspirations of the Man in Black, by none other than his namesake son, John Carter Cash. Buy Now Shop for more books featuring legendary icons.   Rolling Stones 50x20 Edited by Chris Murray Foreword by Richard Harrington Hardcover $34.99 The World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band is celebrated here with images by twenty of the world's greatest music photographers. Buy Now  Discover more books from our Photography collection. Christmas with the First Ladies by Coleen Christian Burke Foreword by Deborah Norville Hardcover $29.95 No home in America celebrates Christmas quite like the White House. Buy Now Shop for more History books. San Francisco Giants: 50 Years by Brian Murphy Foreword by Danny Glover Afterword by Willie Mayes Hardcover $50.00 Follow the Giants from their early days at Seals Stadium to Candlestick Park to latest decade led by Barry Bonds. Buy Now Check out our other Sports books.

The Godfather: The Official Motion Picture Archives   by Peter Cowie Hardcover $45.00 Containing many previously unseen behind-the-scene images from the Paramount Archives. Buy Now Shop for more titles from our Film & Animation category. Slash: An Intimate Portrait Written by Richard Beinstock Photography by Robert Knight Foreword by Ronnie Wood Hardcover $29.99 This comprehensive collection features more than twenty years' worth of previously unpublished photographs of guitar legend Slash. Buy the Hardcover Edition Now Download the iBook Shop for more books in our Music section. Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop Collector's Edition by Lorne Peterson Preface by George Lucas Foreword by Rick McCallum Afterword by Phil Tippit Hardcover with clamshell $425.00 Includes resin replica of Luke's landspeeder and the Death Star, a special edition documentary DVD, a separate book on digital modeling, a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity. Buy Now Check out the rest of our Collector's Editions. Harry Potter: A Sticker Collection Paperback $12.99 More than 400 unique stickers from the Harry Potter film series! Buy Now   Discover more books from the Harry Potter franchise.

Goodnight Husband, Goodnight Wife by Eric Stangel and Justin Stangel Hardcover $16.99 A humorous parody of a children's literature classic, familiar to generations of married couples. Buy the Hardcover Edition Now Download the iBook Shop for more titles in our Gift & Humor section. The Kiss: A Celebration Hardcover $14.99 Culled from history, cinema, and popular media, this collection evokes passion, romance, intrigue, and desire. Buy Now Find more Gift Books. Real Love: The Drawings for Sean by John Lennon Introduction by Yoko Ono Hardcover $16.95 John Lennon was many things to many people, but to his son Sean, he was Daddy, a role he approached with humor, affection, and creativity. Buy Now Shop for more Art Books. The Wizard of Oz: With Three-Dimensional Pop-Up Scenes from the story by L. Frank Baum Illustrated by Nicola L. Robinson Hardcover $22.99 It's difficult to put a new spin on a classic, but that is exactly what has been done in this edition. Buy Now Shop for more Children's Books.

Get 40% off on all books from the Insight Editions' website when you enter promo code GIFT2012 at checkout. Promotion ends 12/31/2012.

New York Comic-con Recap

What a whirlwind week in New York City. We had so many great author signings and events taking place at our New York Comic-con booth. With lines forming down the aisles for each one, it was definitely a successful event for us.

Here's a quick recap of our events with some photographs of our authors, many whom traveled to be there to promote their books.

Friday, October 12

Fringe fans lined up to meet Tara Bennett and Paul Terry as they signed NYCC exclusive posters for the 2013 release, Fringe: September's Notebook.

Official Facebook Page for "Fringe: September's Notebook"

Michael Bush signed copies of his book, The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. Sitting in front of the display case featuring four of Michael Jackson's costumes along with the famous glove, there was an amazing turn out of fans who were dressed up in their favorite Michael Jackson inspired costumes.

Official Facebook Page for "The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson"

Saturday, October 13

Scott Campbell stopped by our booth to sign copies of Amazing Everything and sold prints of some of his illustrations. It was great to see people recognizing him as he has become quite the name (and face) among the video game / art world thanks to his work with Double Fine Productions.

Official Facebook Page for "Amazing Everything: The Art of Scott C."

Michael Jackson fans were shocked to see the famous glove on display in our booth when Michael Bush arrived to sign copies of The King of Style for those attending NYCC. Known for attendees in costumes, this was a fun mix of pop culture and fashion for all to enjoy.

Sunday, October 14

Brandon T. Snider hopped off the airplane in time to join us on our last day at New York Comic-con, signing copies of The Dark Knight Manual and entertaining the crowd.
Official Facebook Page for "The Dark Knight Manual: Tools, Weapons, Vehicles & Documents from the Batcave"

An Intimate Event with Robert Knight

Last night, Mouche Gallery opened its doors to the media, where family and friends of Robert Knight gathered for the launch of his latest book.

Photographs by Robert Knight, from Slash: An Intimate Portrait

Slash: An Intimate Portrait was revealed alongside some of Knight's original work hanging inside the Beverly Hills gallery known for its rock 'n' roll collection of art and photography.

This is Robert Knight's second book with Insight Editions. His first photography collection, Rock Gods, is also available.

Created by Brie Darling's Cakeheads

Thanks to the sponsors who came out in support of this event, including Peligroso Tequila, Moreno BHLV Sparkling Wine and Brie Darling's Cakeheads. Her cake was photographed just about as often as Robert Knight was last night. It tasted as amazing as it looked.

Check out the Insight Editions Instagram feed to see more photos from last night's event.

If you're in the area, stop by the Mouche Gallery this evening for a book signing with Robert Knight. 

A portion of the proceeds from book sales at the gallery will go to Music Unites, a 501(c)3 non-profit, dedicated to bringing music education to underprivileged children in underfunded inner city school systems.

Just a warning: You may be tempted to spend money at this awesome gallery.

Freddie for a Day

Freddie Mercury, the hugely popular iconic singer of Queen, was incredibly prolific, leaving behind a rich legacy of recordings.

Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender, available now for preorder, is a lavishly illustrated book celebrating one of the legends of the influential British music scene.

Freddie's life is lovingly and painstakingly recounted in text and photographs from the private collections of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bulsara, and Queen’s guitarist Brian May, as well as portraits from contemporary photographers. Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender tells Freddie's story and provides insight into the huge extent of his cultural legacy.

In honor of Freddie's birthday, we'd also like to introduce you to the cause, Freddie for A Day, an annual initiative celebrated on September 5th to raise funds to support the work of the Mercury Phoenix Trust, which promotes HIV/AIDS education and awareness.

Freddie Mercury, who continues to inspire generations of musicians and artists around the world, died from bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS on November 24, 1991.

The Angry Birds team has created a special Freddie Mercury bird in honor of Freddie for a Day, and we encourage you to take part as well.

Share your best Freddie Mercury impression on our Facebook page for a chance to win a copy of the new book, Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender.

Celebrating the King of Style

Michael Jackson was born August 29, 1958. Today, we celebrate his life with a feature about our upcoming book, The King of Style, a fascinating look at the intersection of music and fashion, as well as an homage to Michael Jackson, whose brilliant fusing of costume, personality, and performance created the iconic image. 

The King of Pop needs little introduction. Arguably the most successful entertainer of all time, Michael Jackson owes his luminous legacy not only to his inspiring music, but also to his iconic fashion sense. In the 1980s, the formative era of music videos, Michael’s dazzling visual presentations impacted the world unlike any performer, before or since.

Through his music, dance, and fashion, Michael Jackson created a mystique that was unique to him and recognized as such throughout the world. For five decades he mesmerized audiences—and for twenty-five of those years Michael Bush was there as Jackson’s designer, stylist, and friend, accompanying the King of Pop on his journey to becoming the King of Style.Michael Bush and his partner, Dennis Tompkins, joined Jackson during the making of Bad, and the duo quickly became central in developing the looks that made him a style sensation. As their professional relationship developed, so did their friendship. Bush was there before and after every performance, and his personal stories reveal the man behind the public persona. Before there was “Billie Jean,” there was the child star of the Jackson Five, setting rhinestones in his show-clothes by hand. Jackson grew up to become a master of fusing fashion and performance, inspiring his collaborators with intriguing riddles and unrelenting confidence.

While paying homage to the original Billie Jean, Beat It, and Thriller looks that put Jackson on the fashion map,The King of Style also traces their evolution over several decades. Jackson’s penchant for the military silhouette is explored in detail, along with the trade secrets behind the sequined glove and the fencing uniform that he, Bush, and Tompkins reinvented to make stage magic. It was Michael Bush who dressed Jackson for the final time, before he was buried. Dozens of garments were left unfinished by his shocking death.

The legacy of Michael Jackson lives on. An artist like none other, he transformed everything he touched—from the fabric of his clothes to his legions of fans around the world. 

The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson
by Michael Bush
Available for pre-order, in stores in October

Michael Bush worked personally with Michael Jackson for twenty-five years to create some of the most original and indelible clothing ever worn by a musical performer. Using his professional background in theatrical costume construction and dance, Bush and his partner, Dennis Tompkins, created thousands of custom artistic pieces that captured the essence of a one-of-a-kind pop star. He lives in Hollywood, CA.