Books

A Theory of Everything

"Read this book. It provides a thought-provoking introduction to Ken Wilber's "integral vision," a theory that attempts to integrate all things--science, religion, art, morals, physics, politics, medicine, education, ecology, sociology and business. Wilber observes that approximately 20 percent of the population is poised for "second-tier" integral transformation (p. 33), and that we are at "a branch point:" we can continue travelling the road of scientific materialism, fragmented pluralism, and deconstructive postmodernism, or we can pursue a more integral, more embracing, more inclusive path to travel (p. xiii).

Recommended by Irwin Kula

Art After Midnight

From Publishers Weekly:
The outrageous energy of the participants and their subsequent notoriety will carry the reader through this uncritical, discursive pop history of what Hager calls the "Global East Village." He begins with CBGB's and its development as the premier club for punk rock and the nihilistic youth culture of its audience. The author then covers various groupings that were to make Manhattan's East Village and neoexpressionism buzzwords of the '80s: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kenny Scharf and Keith Haring receive extensive coverage, as well as performance artists like Ann Magnuson and "personalities" such as Patti Astor. The book culminates with the explosion of galleries in the East Village and its impact on the New York art marketplace. Hager's treatment is unremarkable but, as always, the East Village provides its own momentum.

(July Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Recommended by Peter McGough

Bloody Beautiful

In the second issue of Bloody Beautiful, Doran Wittelsbach leads us on another journey into the rarified realm of the glories of yesteryear, and showcases those who will not let these orthodoxies remain past. With its silver-embossed cover and included vinyl disc of songs by superb crooner Al Bowlly, as well as tasty numbers by Lillian Harvery & Willie Fritsch, Sophie Tucker, and Fred Douglas singing “Let’s All Be Fairies,” there is plenty to intrigue and edify.

Recommended by Peter McGough

David Bienenstock

As the Senior Editor of High Times Magazine, David Bienenstock has traveled the world writing about marijuana. He has interviewed everyone from growers to dealers to prisoners to politicians, which means he knows just about everything there is to know about pot.

High Times Editor & Pot Expert

Dying to Get High

Marijuana as medicine has been a politically charged topic in this country for more than three decades. Despite overwhelming public support and growing scientific evidence of its therapeutic effects (relief of the nausea caused by chemotherapy for cancer and AIDS, control over seizures or spasticity caused by epilepsy or MS, and relief from chronic and acute pain, to name a few), the drug remains illegal under federal law.

Recommended by David Bienenstock

Frederic Bau

Frederic Bau is an acclaimed chocolatier, patissier, cookbook author and celebrated head pastry chef and director of L'Ecole de Valrhona.

Recommended by Johnny Iuzzini

Hamburger America

Hamburger America, the book, features 100 of the best roadside stands, nostalgic diners, mom 'n pop establishments, and college town favorites - and tells exactly where to find them. You'll be inspired to jump in the car for a road-trip to visit any and all of these unique places. Help preserve our hamburger heritage - eat real burgers, visit real places.

Recommended by Josh Ozersky

Hollywood Babylon

Hollywood Babylon is a book by avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger which details the sordid scandals of many famous and infamous Hollywood denizens from the 1900s to the 1950s. First published in the US in 1965, it was banned ten days later and would not be republished until 1975. Upon its second release, the New York Times said of it, "If a book such as this can be said to have charm, it lies in the fact that here is a book without one single redeeming merit."

Recommended by Peter McGough

International Center of Photography

Since its founding in 1974 by Cornell Capa in the historic Willard Straight House on Fifth Avenue's Museum Mile, ICP has presented over 500 exhibitions, bringing the work of more than 3,000 photographers and other artists to the public in one-person and group exhibitions and has provided thousands of classes and workshops that have enriched tens of thousands of students. ICP was founded as an institution to keep the legacy of 'Concerned Photography' alive.

Recommended by Fred Cray

JOY OF COOKING

The Joy of Cooking is one of the United States' most-published cookbooks, having been in print continuously since 1936 and with more than 18 million copies sold.

It was privately published in 1931 by Irma S. Rombauer, a homemaker in St. Louis, Missouri, who was struggling emotionally and financially after her husband's suicide the previous year.
 

Recommended by Johnny Iuzzini

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