Books Covered by Tobias

Partnership Parenting

 

Partnership Parenting: How Men and Women Parent Differently—Why it Helps Your Kids and Can Strengthen Your Marriage

by Kyle Pruett and Marsha Kline Pruett

Publisher: DaCapo

Art Director: Georgia Feldman; Cover Design: Christopher Tobias

Pocket Guide to Crisis Intervention

The Pocket Guide to Crisis Intervention

by Albert Roberts and Kenneth Yeager

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Art Director: Mark LaRiviere; Cover Design: Christopher Tobias

The Miracle

The Miracle: The Epic Story of Asia's Quest for Wealth. 

By Asia Business Correspondent for Time, Michael Schuman. 

Publisher: Harper Collins

Art Director: Richard Ljoenes; Jacket Design: Christopher Tobias

Reviewed in the Wall Street Journal.

Covering John Calvin's 500th

Today is the 500th birthday of protestant theologian John Calvin, arguable one of the most influential thinkers, writers, and pastors in the history of the church.  Like all men he had his "warts", which have been well-documented (though often misunderstood). However, his writings have endured the test of time and Christianity owes him a great deal.

Over the past year publishers have been gearing up for this day. I alone have done nearly 10 books on Calvin and his writings. Here are a few.

"The Age of Wonder"

One of my favorite projects of late was for Random House (Pantheon): Richard Holmes' The Age of Wonder. Jonathan Sainsbury originally assigned this project to me last year before his departure and I finished it up under the direction of Brian Barth. All books bring a certain level of satisfaction when you get the finished product in-hand. But, some more than others. This is one of them.

Last week I got a kind note from one of the art directors at Random House about the design of the Holmes book and told me that he would send me copies, which he did. I could not have been happier when I opened the package. The folks in Random House's production department did an outstanding job in overseeing the printing and finishing. The jacket has a nice texture to it. I will have to find out the process. The title type was spec'd with a matte gold foil which works so nicely.

But in keeping with my determination to become more literary this summer (I should have joined with my kids in the reading contest at our local library), I am reading The Age of Wonder. It is an absolutely riveting read about the fusion of Romanitism and science in the eighteenth century. Part history, part science, and part biography, Mr. Holmes has constructed a story that reads more like a novel than nonfiction.

Instead of ineptly trying to explain more about it,  I would recommend today's cover story in the NY Times book section and this interview with Mr. Holmes. Considering the number of pages and the rate at which I read this may last me until Christmas. But, it will be worth it.

Little Bee

Great new cover from Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich.

Zoomii Virtual Bookstore

The site touts it as "a 'real' bookstore with Amazon prices and Amazon selection." Regardless if it meets that claim, Zoomii is pretty cool. It shows bestsellers on virtual bookshelves, arranged in sections like you would see at your local bookseller, covers face-out. There is also the option of searching by title, author, etc. Nice idea.

Kimberly Glyder blogs

Kimberly has started a nice new  blog about her amazing work. Be sure to check it out.

Chip Central

I hadn't been to Chip Kidd's site (goodisdead.com)in quite some time. The celebrity king of covers has a blog (Journal), links to his writings and an extensive library of his covers (Work). The Work section can be viewed by year, title, author, or randomly. Whichever way it makes for a good site to go to for a little visual inspiration.

We Love Books Book

Earlier this winter, as I've noted before, four of my covers were included in a book exhibition in Paris which featured designers from all over the world. Today I received my copy of the show's book in the mail. A few thoughts:

First, this was a huge honor. Out of the seven  US designers, I am the only one from outside NY. It is a little funny to read: "États-Unis / New York" for the first six entries and then "États-Unis / Davisburg, Michigan". Not only is it a little funny, but a little daunting. I am totally grateful to the show's curator and directors for including me. To be honest, and I'm not trying to put on some false humility here, I'm not sure why I was asked to be included. The other designers included here are top-notch and for me to be listed next to them is a little embarrassing (Michael Beruit, Paul Sahre for example). And I can think of a dozen other designers who I would included before me if I wasn't me and was the curator (like Henry Sene Yee, Peter Mendelsund, Richard Ljoenes, to name just a few). But, alas, I am totally honored and grateful. I wish I would have sent in some different covers now. I wish I had a few of my newer pieces to include, but nevertheless it is what it is.

One caveat about my biography. It makes me sounds like a pompous wannabe. I am, in my own mind at least, a wannabe to some extent. But, I really don't want to sound like a pompous one. What I submitted was something along these lines: 

"...he has even had the privilege of having some of his covers show up on the New York Times bestseller list...".

 Since the book was published in France it has both the french and english translations. The latter came out this way:

"He produces 100 covers a year, particularly for the New York Times bestsellers."

Ugh. No, not particularly for the New York Times bestsellers. That's the other six US designers and the Art Directors of New York who were featured speakers and participants (Kidd, de Wilde, Gall, Carson). They design bestsellers. I am lucky when that happens. Eesh.

Nevertheless, it is inspirational to see all the great work from all over the world. Amazing, amazing stuff that I am honored to have just a small bit part in.