Art of McSweeneys by McSweeneys Publishing

Art of McSweeneys Reviews

• 
  GoldGato

  McSweeney's is a San Francisco-based publishing house that creates, shall we say, unique publications. Their approach is very independent with a deep pride in the printed book.
  
  It should be noted that no one at McSweeney's has any formal training in book design or production. Pretty much everyone in our small company was first a volunteer or intern, and everyone considers themselves a perpetual student of the craft.
  
  This book explores the various covers of the McSweeney books, some of which are (that word again) unique. In an age when the cheapest paper and materials are used, Dave Eggers and his crew aim for boxes, leatherette casewraps, and foil stamping, inspired by the colourful bookcovers from the earlier days of the nineteenth century.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I would recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about publishing, not just the art but also the words. Each McSweeney's publication is detailed by the initial idea, the process, the mistakes, and the final result. Illuminating.
  
  
  
  
  Amidst this cornucopia of artwork is the story of the Immortal Fly, who decides to fly into the mouth of an unaware human in order to end his despair of watching his friends and family die, leaving him lonely and despairing.
  
  Whimsical is as Whimsical does.
  
  Book Season = Year Round (keep the mouth closed)
• 
  James

  McSweeney’s is a strange literary zine with extremely bizarre articles and graphics. An interesting skim, but not a keeper.
• 
  Brian

  Love books? Buy this book.
• 
  Adam

  This book is an oral history of the first 11 years of McSweeney's. It's fascinating and funny, somewhat inspiring. There are also a lot of remaindered copies around so you should be able to find it very cheap. The book opens with Eggers' four-page email to get writers to submit to the first issue. In that email he makes a comment, seemingly a joke, "If we're not careful, we might make publishing history!" And they did, right? In the last fifteen years, McSweeney's has again and again made a case for physical, beautiful books while other publishers move as fast as they can towards digital.
• 
  Eric

  I've always been fascinated and inspired by the McSweeney's publications, and this book's oral history format is wonderfully entertaining and illuminating. What could have been just a glorified picture book is also a compelling historical narrative that makes me want to go back to the actual issues and discover all the little details and literature I missed.
• 
  Tishon

  This was hands down the best design book I've purchased in years. So inspirational. I read it cover to cover and I think I might read it again. It's not so much the art, which obviously is phenomenal, it's the anecdotal commentary that make it indispensable. I particularly enjoyed the publishing tips. Get this book.
• 
  Melanie Richards

  Definitely a coffee table book, but the most inspiring making-of book I've ever read. McSweeney's has a scrappy history, and its people work hard and try to make stuff they actually think is interesting! Seems pretty standard but I honestly think most people don't push their personal work nearly as far as it can go.
• 
  Diane

  stuck true to it's title and is mostly about the design and making of books. And McSweeney's has made some really interesting ones. Inspirational for designers and print managers. Even includes a list of printing costs! :-)
• 
  E. Chris

  This is a great book for fans of McSweeney's, publishers, writers, book designers, or people who just love to delve into the creative process. This book will help inspire creativity- be it literary or design.
• 
  Mary Peterson

  Gorgeous. Insightful. Inspiring. Full of process and shop-talk details you never hear about even in the glossy design mags. Highly recommended for anyone interested in design.
• 
  Carlo

  "Nothing is impossible when you work for the circus."
• 
  Betsy

  Ok, so I PERUSED this book, but it is hefty and lovely, and I will peruse and peruse as the moments strike.
• 
  María Frutilla

  Gracias, Jan de la Rosa
• 
  Russ Ryan

  A literary coffeetable book that showcases the painstakingly-detailed book jackets and production processes from one of today's most innovative publishers.
• 
  Christopher

  I love love love McSweeney's and have since almost the beginning! This is a great oral history.