Why do some book covers instantly grab your attention, while others
never get a second glance? Fusing word and image, as well as design
thinking and literary criticism, this captivating investigation goes
behind the scenes of the cover design process to answer this question
and more.
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK
REVIEW
As the outward face of the text, the book cover makes an all-important
first impression. The Look of the Book examines art at the edges of
literature through notable covers and the stories behind them, galleries
of the many different jackets of bestselling books, an overview of book
cover trends throughout history, and insights from dozens of literary
and design luminaries. Co-authored by celebrated designer and creative
director Peter Mendelsund and scholar David Alworth, this fascinating
collaboration, featuring hundreds of covers, challenges our notions of
what a book cover can and should be.