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Books Unbound In 1990, artist Michael Jacobs designed and built the Kodak Goodwill Games World's Largest Photo Album-a 228-lb. book that measured 40" wide by 27" high by 8-1/2" thick. The enormous volume contained 7,245 photos of the Pacific Northwest. Since that project, Jacobs has been intrigued by the idea of books as sculpture. Books Unbound doesn't contain instructions for a 200-lb., 184-page book, but it does contain 20 projects that redefine the notion of what a book is and challenge readers to think outside the box (book). Jacobs combines a witty, engaging writing style (that "outside the box [book]" line above was his) with visually attractive pages featuring graphic elements that make tips and definitions really stand out. The main focus of the book is on the projects, but readers will learn all the basic bookmaking techniques. Anyone who works through the techniques and projects will be well equipped to create traditional handmade books, as well as the more ambitious sculptural books Jacobs presents. The book begins with a brief, yet thorough description of the tools and materials needed for bookmaking, followed by a section on basic bookmaking techniques. Explanation of each technique is accompanied by step-by-step photography. Readers will learn how to determine paper grain direction; use a ruler; score, fold and crease; make various stitches; and much more. After covering these introductory matters, Jacobs turns to the projects. The 20 projects include some more traditional books with interesting twists, such as a picture frame book, folding journal and concertina cabaret, as well as sculptural books in 3 categories-boxes with books, modular books and wired books. Each project includes a materials list, step-by-step instructions and photography, reproducible templates when necessary and alternate ending ideas that encourage readers to produce their own unique creations. This is an exciting, inspiring, beautiful book that will help anyone create his or her own exciting, inspiring, beautiful books.
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