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worm_toes's review against another edition
5.0
It has been a long, long time since I've finished a book in less than two days, but I just couldn't help myself when it came to reading Buckley's Cover to Cover. It is such an interesting perspective on the art of book cover illustration and design, with high-quality photographs of cover art, commentary on the process from editors and illustrators that is both humorous and heartfelt, and detailed narratives about what it is like to be someone who works in the industry of graphic design. So whether you are a literary aficionado who shamelessly displays their collections for all of their equally sententious friends to see, a lowly book peasant who keeps their dog-eared paperbacks locked away with indignity and keeps this book as a way to feel a sliver of self-esteem, or just somebody who wants something cool-looking on their coffee table, this book is for you.
raehink's review against another edition
5.0
Penguin classic cover designs...a celebration of marvelous illustrations and the stories behind their creation. Beautiful.
ilsoestrator's review against another edition
4.0
4,5 stars
This book is all about covers that were designed for several Penguin Classics collections. It's filled with words from the designers, art directors and illustrators who have done a great job on these beauties. The book has some early sketches (in rare cases) and also gives the word to the designers and illustrators to talk about their process and how they got to the final image of the cover.
Reading this book, you can feel the excitement that the people in this book have for these covers and it made me all the more excited about book cover design, and buying all of the pretty editions (because come on! These designers/illustrators have done a remarkable job most of the time! I wish I was that good!). Especially the introductions (read them!!!).
The design of the book, as well on the outside as the inside has been very well done and I really enjoyed it. I loved the titles on the very top of the pages, taking tiny bits of the type away, and the full spreads for the chapter titles were also very enjoyable. And I shouldn't forget the "inside covers" which are filled with all kinds of Penguin objects which go from clay figures to plush penguins with party hats on their beaks to blow up penguins. It's silly and I thought it was a really nice touch to the book.
This book is not only about the successes that art directors and illustrators had w/each other. I liked that in the case of "Alice in Wonderland & Through the looking-glass" the book states how difficult it was for the art director and artist to achieve what they wanted, especially when it comes to them agreeing about it. It gives insight into what designers and art directors go through sometimes and makes it feel like a very honest book.
Even though I'm kind of raving about the book, there were things that could've been done better. I'd like the book better if we'd get a more in depth view of the design process. Half a page of text (mostly less) per design or per series is not enough for me. There also weren't a lot of sketches in the book which was something I would've liked to see. Especially being a designer; I want to know why certain design elements were done in certain ways and the thought process that went into designing the covers. Initial sketches and different versions are a great way to show this. I would've gladly read about (and seen) less covers if I got more info about a smaller amount of covers than is in this book.
All in all this is a great book for all people who love design and books, or just cover design. It's a book that will look good on your coffee table (especially if you have friends who love reading, too). And it's a great book to get inspiration from, and of course a great read! I really loved this book and will definitely flip through it again after reading it the first time.
Favorite design: A portrait of the young artist as a man by James Joyce (Deluxe Classics). I actually read the book and couldn't finish it, but I'm thinking of buying a copy just for the cover...
Least favorite design: Definitely all of the Christmas Classics covers. I liked the versions done by Paul Buckley way more! The current ones are just... meh... I would definitely not buy those for the covers.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.
This book is all about covers that were designed for several Penguin Classics collections. It's filled with words from the designers, art directors and illustrators who have done a great job on these beauties. The book has some early sketches (in rare cases) and also gives the word to the designers and illustrators to talk about their process and how they got to the final image of the cover.
Reading this book, you can feel the excitement that the people in this book have for these covers and it made me all the more excited about book cover design, and buying all of the pretty editions (because come on! These designers/illustrators have done a remarkable job most of the time! I wish I was that good!). Especially the introductions (read them!!!).
The design of the book, as well on the outside as the inside has been very well done and I really enjoyed it. I loved the titles on the very top of the pages, taking tiny bits of the type away, and the full spreads for the chapter titles were also very enjoyable. And I shouldn't forget the "inside covers" which are filled with all kinds of Penguin objects which go from clay figures to plush penguins with party hats on their beaks to blow up penguins. It's silly and I thought it was a really nice touch to the book.
This book is not only about the successes that art directors and illustrators had w/each other. I liked that in the case of "Alice in Wonderland & Through the looking-glass" the book states how difficult it was for the art director and artist to achieve what they wanted, especially when it comes to them agreeing about it. It gives insight into what designers and art directors go through sometimes and makes it feel like a very honest book.
Even though I'm kind of raving about the book, there were things that could've been done better. I'd like the book better if we'd get a more in depth view of the design process. Half a page of text (mostly less) per design or per series is not enough for me. There also weren't a lot of sketches in the book which was something I would've liked to see. Especially being a designer; I want to know why certain design elements were done in certain ways and the thought process that went into designing the covers. Initial sketches and different versions are a great way to show this. I would've gladly read about (and seen) less covers if I got more info about a smaller amount of covers than is in this book.
All in all this is a great book for all people who love design and books, or just cover design. It's a book that will look good on your coffee table (especially if you have friends who love reading, too). And it's a great book to get inspiration from, and of course a great read! I really loved this book and will definitely flip through it again after reading it the first time.
Favorite design: A portrait of the young artist as a man by James Joyce (Deluxe Classics). I actually read the book and couldn't finish it, but I'm thinking of buying a copy just for the cover...
Least favorite design: Definitely all of the Christmas Classics covers. I liked the versions done by Paul Buckley way more! The current ones are just... meh... I would definitely not buy those for the covers.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.
theunreadshelf's review against another edition
4.0
What a fun book for book lovers! I randomly found this at the library and devoured each page. The designers at Penguin Classics have done an incredible job bringing classics into the 21st century with innovative covers and artwork. This book goes through each cover design, with interviews with the artists, alternate cover art, and descriptions of the process that goes into each book. If you love beautiful books, you'll really enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at it all.
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