Here's a book that will blow your mind – and your ears as well – a richly detailed look at the way that sound has been used as a weapon – both as a direct force of sonic power, and as a more subtle means of disturbing space and human activity! The writer is as direct as the title, which is great – because the book is a no-punches-pulled look at the way that sound can really be used to screw things up – with a look at certain frequencies, tones, and modes of employment – some done in secret, others more overt – by those who seek to turn one of our key senses against us. The book is a well-crafted blend of history, science, and theory – with notes on the contents – and this hardcover version is 197 pages in length. Book

Beautiful work from the glory days of the adult film – hundreds of posters that were used to publicize erotic cinema – often themselves a masterpiece in erotic aesthetics! Given that most of the posters were outside the theater, open to the public, there's a fair bit of hide and seek, teasing-type material here – at a level that's maybe even more creative than the images on the screen, especially when set to the typography and color filters of the late 60s/early 70s print world! The book features all posters in full color, and also intersperses some bits from magazines and other publications too – all at a level that's really playful, reveling in the style of the genre, while also poking a slight bit of fun. Graham Marsh was the art director, and you may know his name from a number of excellent album cover books – and overall, most images are softcore at best, with a small amount of nudity – although there are some heavier images from time to time. 352 pages, hardcover, and in full color. Book

A beautiful book that does a great job of capturing the wide range of creative and community activity of Theaster Gates – one of the most important artists to emerge from the Chicago scene in the past few decades! Gates is way more than just an artist, though – as his works involve constant interaction with the city around him, sometimes as larger social projects that seek to offer opportunity and transform the community – sometimes with aspects that work almost to document lost or unseen cultures in Chicago – but always with an inventive, genre-defying quality that continues to keep all his creativity and ideas relevant over the years. The book is divided up into a variety of sections – including an interview with Gates, a studio visit, a document of important works, and even a timeline of his creative activity and role in Chicago – served up in an oversized, softcover volume – full color throughout, with 158 pages in all. Book

An early 70s call to action from the great Dick Gregory – a figure who began his career on the comedic stage of the Civil Rights generation, but soon rose to become one of the most powerful voices for change – so much so that Gregory changed his own ambitions, and move all his activities from entertainment to social action! Dick first gave the world this book in 1972, a masterful unpacking of the forces of repression at work – both overt and covert – and although a fair bit of history has been filled in since the time of its publishing, the messages within still hold a great deal of power – and are essential to anyone seeking change in a larger context. America has changed a lot from the 70s, but the issues at hand here are still crucial – and still delivered with a clarity that few folks can do this well. Softcover edition is 293 pages. Book