VirtuosoLife - January/February 2008 - (Page 40) LUXE REPORT BOOKS New York By various contributors (Gloria, $12,000, $4,500, or $3,500) this homage to the Big apple from British publisher Gloria comes in three limited editions, each including special prints from such noted photographers as Berenice abbott, ted Croner, Eugene de salignac, and jacob Riis. the Columbus edition includes four original photographs, with two in the liberty and one in the lenape editions. along with gorgeous images, each volume features essays by noted literary celebrities: Dave anderson of The New York Times writes about sports in “triumph of the Gladiators”; David Blum, the veteran New York magazine writer and editor, looks at television’s love affair with the city in “tales from the tube”; and professor shaun O’Connell of the university of Massachusetts in Boston explores nYC intellectuals from Edith Wharton to ian McEwan. Highly collectible (only 100 Columbus, 250 liberty, and 500 lenape editions will be printed), they’re sure to thrill any lover of new York. The Complete Pompeii By Joanne Berry (Thames & Hudson, $40) this will make a great companion for anyone planning to visit the most famous city ever buried by a volcano. the archaeological journey takes you from ad 79, when the city was buried, through the era of excavation, starting in 1748. One of the most fascinating chapters deals with the last years of pompeii, from ad 63, when an earthquake presaged the eventual cataclysm. First Class: Legendary Train Journeys Around the World By Patrick Poivre d’Arvor (The Vendome Press, $35) ah, the luxuries of rail travel. in today’s world, it seems nearly a lost art, a treasured memory replaced by airplanes and security lines. as the author reveals, trains are all about comfort, and the poetry of train journeys isn’t gone for good, as shown by the modern-day pleasures of the Venice simplon-Orient-Express and the Blue train, among others. lavishly illustrated, this book makes you want to relax on vacation, as you deserve to. The Complete Travel Detective Bible By Peter Greenberg (Rodale, $17.95) the travel editor of nBC’s Today show gives every tip imaginable for anyone headed out on a trip in this 624-page reference. Want to know when to schedule a flight to or from a specific airport and avoid delays? He’ll tell you. How about getting the best, roomiest seat on a plane? He provides diagrams and measurements. surprised at the checkout desk? He’ll show you how to look at your bill and make sure you get your money’s worth. peter Greenberg takes no prisoners here – his handy, easy-to-read guide is invaluable to any globe-trotter. – CHaRlEs EalY NEAT IDEA high-spirited For serious connoisseurs: The Macallan 55 Years Old single malt Scotch in a limited edition Lalique decanter. The second in a six-edition partnership between the distiller and French crystal masters arrives in a leather and silk presentation box complete with amber-colored stopper. Only 420 of the bottles will be produced – of which just 100 are available in the U.S. as of January 1. $12,000 at Macallan55@remyusa.com – justin paul 40 V I RT U O S O L I F E (BOOKS) IRIDIO SEATTLE
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