I dunno – the colors look to me like they might be slightly faded, from some 1940’s schoolbook or pamphlet. Or perhaps one of those insignia bars to denote some special military accomplishment? I’d be willing to bet the colors come from something period-authentic, anyway.
The spine is a naval signal flag- it’s saying ‘watch the fuck out for those incoming zeros’ and the planes are from spotter-cards. It’s also period semaphore for ‘I, a 1945 naval ensign, find myself strangely attracted to Rock Hudson.”
Very elegant. Was it art directed by chip or is it a pure Mendulsund piece? Who cares. It’s elegant and appropriate feeling. Love it.
Like the three different type faces being used and how well they work together in those proportions. The detail of hand writen text on the bottom is nice and softens the otherwise very modern feel of this.
This is really very attractive. But I wish the subtitle looked a bit more cohesive. Nice spine… but I’d have to see how it looks in person before I shake the feeling that it clashes with the cover.
After his fantastic covers for Tezuka’s Dororo Peter Mendelsund can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned.
I love this. The photograph is — horribly — beautiful and the spine really tops it off. It reminds me of the old English text-books I’d gravitate to in second-hand shops as a kid. This is a good thing,
my favorite is the little tora tora planes on the spine. Oh, and the vintage Knopf/Borzoi logo probably from those years, 1944–45. It’s all so very fucking perfect it’s annoying.
You can be unexpected and still cohere to the theme of the design. The cover is elegant and even a bit noir and vintage-moody in its tone. The spine is cool, but in a Frank Stella, colorfield sort of way. I just don’t know if the two should ever come together…
I noticed this cover in the store. The photo of the tracers is an excellent choice. I always like when an image or design can indirectly refer to something (airplanes bombing a city) without literally showing the subject.
I agree that the spine really doesn’t relate to the front. Although, it does have a 1940s look. I do like the use of the plane silhouettes. My grandfather was a radioman in a B-17 bomber. He left me his collection of silhouette charts that he had been issued for referencing during missions. They’re really great graphics.
Thank you Mr. Mendelsund for an inspiring piece of work, and Mr. Pieratt for taking the time to post it. And for taking the abuse concerning your photography and wrist girth.
You always expect WWII books to have a certain visual heft. This design by Peter Mendelsund doesn’t disappoint.
The best part is the spine:
— Ben Pieratt, 2008-06-16 12:23:00
Who’s skinny wrist is that?
— Angus Thermopyle, 2008-06-16 12:54:00
I love this cover… all of it! Mmmmm…
— Jason R Gabbert, 2008-06-16 13:09:00
Horrible photography.
Does anybody remember focus?
That’s either one fat book or someone has thinner arms than Angelina Jolie.
— a1000words, 2008-06-16 15:24:00
I havent seen wrists that skinny since my last missions trip to Uganda.
— Warden Dios, 2008-06-16 17:44:00
horrible photography.
does anybody remember focus?
OMG! u just made my day… the only horrible thing in this site is ur judgment…
— monkey, 2008-06-16 18:02:00
This is probably my Most Favorite WWII cover to date. Damn you Mendelsund!!
— Chris Papasadero / Fwis, 2008-06-16 19:16:00
very good front, wonderful spine
but to me they don’t exactly match
— msmetana, 2008-06-17 02:12:00
Wow, I love this. Interesting use of color on the spine.
— Blake, 2008-06-17 05:45:00
Haha, Bastardos!
— Ben Pieratt, 2008-06-17 05:55:00
a1000 words is definitely c-dog.
— mike, 2008-06-17 06:49:00
and the best part definitely isn’t the spine. those colors completely ruin the mood that the cover sets. unless it’s about gay pride during WWII.
— mike, 2008-06-17 06:50:00
I dunno – the colors look to me like they might be slightly faded, from some 1940’s schoolbook or pamphlet. Or perhaps one of those insignia bars to denote some special military accomplishment? I’d be willing to bet the colors come from something period-authentic, anyway.
— Chris Papasadero / Fwis, 2008-06-17 07:10:00
very elegant image of force/destruction. much better than the standard shot of GIs with distressed type that is so common.
like the spine, but don’t get it. maybe if one of us had served in the Navy we would know?
— shalls, 2008-06-17 07:35:00
From the horse’s mouth (Mendelsund’s):
— Ben "Skinny Wrists" Pieratt, 2008-06-17 08:27:00
Very elegant. Was it art directed by chip or is it a pure Mendulsund piece? Who cares. It’s elegant and appropriate feeling. Love it.
Like the three different type faces being used and how well they work together in those proportions. The detail of hand writen text on the bottom is nice and softens the otherwise very modern feel of this.
whizzing bullets…
— ian shimkowiak, 2008-06-17 08:38:00
I like this.
— Arthur, 2008-06-17 09:29:00
This is really very attractive. But I wish the subtitle looked a bit more cohesive. Nice spine… but I’d have to see how it looks in person before I shake the feeling that it clashes with the cover.
— C-Dog, 2008-06-17 18:28:00
Not to be snarky, but for the people complaining about the spine, I have a term for you: syncopation.
— Ben Pieratt, 2008-06-17 18:41:00
After his fantastic covers for Tezuka’s Dororo Peter Mendelsund can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned.
I love this. The photograph is — horribly — beautiful and the spine really tops it off. It reminds me of the old English text-books I’d gravitate to in second-hand shops as a kid. This is a good thing,
— Luke Sutton, 2008-06-18 04:47:00
i love this. perfect in every way.
— zach, 2008-06-18 13:30:00
“The spine is a naval signal flag”
i though it might be. nice!
— jack, 2008-06-18 14:17:00
my favorite is the little tora tora planes on the spine. Oh, and the vintage Knopf/Borzoi logo probably from those years, 1944–45. It’s all so very fucking perfect it’s annoying.
— ian shimkowiak, 2008-06-18 14:20:00
syncopation? A temporary displacement of the regular metrical accent in music caused typically by stressing the weak beat?
— snarky, 2008-06-19 13:33:00
Apparently the metaphor was lost on snarky.
— nate s., 2008-06-19 14:33:00
It’s the idea of the expected being complemented by something unexpected and complementary.
— Anonymous, 2008-06-19 15:10:00
You can be unexpected and still cohere to the theme of the design. The cover is elegant and even a bit noir and vintage-moody in its tone. The spine is cool, but in a Frank Stella, colorfield sort of way. I just don’t know if the two should ever come together…
— C-Dog, 2008-06-26 17:52:00
I noticed this cover in the store. The photo of the tracers is an excellent choice. I always like when an image or design can indirectly refer to something (airplanes bombing a city) without literally showing the subject.
I agree that the spine really doesn’t relate to the front. Although, it does have a 1940s look. I do like the use of the plane silhouettes. My grandfather was a radioman in a B-17 bomber. He left me his collection of silhouette charts that he had been issued for referencing during missions. They’re really great graphics.
— Andrew Brozyna, 2008-06-27 13:54:00
Thank you Mr. Mendelsund for an inspiring piece of work, and Mr. Pieratt for taking the time to post it. And for taking the abuse concerning your photography and wrist girth.
Yes, Virginia, it is possible to be too critical.
— Mr. Jiblet, 2008-07-29 00:56:00