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Art & Culture

Culture and art is many things and at Tales you find a wide selection of art and culture books. If you enjoy a trip to the museum or an evening at the theatre this is the place for you. If you are more into architecture or a well written song, fear not you also find books about that. Lastly design and fashion is also part of our art and culture selection, so what are you waiting for? Set your inner creativity free and get inspired by some of the world’s best artists, musicians, designers or architects.
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  • Save 15%
    by Tim Wapshott & Jim Hutton
    £10.99

    An account of the last seven years of Freddie Mercury's life by his lover Jim Hutton. A former barber at the Savoy Hotel, Jim never fully assimilated into Mercury's jet-setting lifestyle, but was closer to him than anyone else, and knew all his friends, including Elton John and Phil Collins.

  • Save 30%
    - The Complete Haute Couture Collections 1962-2002
     
    £41.99

    The first comprehensive overview of Yves Saint Laurent's haute couture collections, presented through original catwalk photography.

  • Save 27%
    - The Ultimate Collection of Street Photography
     
    £21.99

    A showcase of hidden gems of street photography, exploring the variety of ways in which the common subject matter and locations of the genre have been addressed in differing and varied ways.

  • Save 21%
    - An Exploration of Visual Thinking
    by Sophie Cure
    £13.49

    Eine unterhaltsame und praxisnahe Grafikdesign-Einführungsowohl für professionell als auch allgemein interessierte Leser¿ Verstehen, wie Grafikdesign funktioniert und visuelleKommunikation selbst gestalten¿ Mit Glossar, Rätseln, Aufklebern, Schablonen und farbigemPapier im Loseblatt-AnhangDas wunderschön gestaltete Buch verwendet visuelleHerausforderungen, um praxisnah zu zeigen, wie Typografie,Beschilderung, Plakate und Branding funktionieren. Konzepte undTechniken der visuellen Kommunikation werden auf ansprechendeund interaktive Weise vorgestellt.Illustriert mit Schriften, Plakaten und Piktogrammen vonrenommierten Designern wie Otl Aicher, Pierre Di Sciullo, OttoNeurath und Gerd Arntz, wird das Buch sowohl professionelleGrafiker ansprechen als auch jene, die allgemein mehr über visuelleKommunikation erfahren möchten.

  • Save 10%
    - The Ultimate Book for Friends Fans Everywhere
    by Kelsey Miller
    £8.99

    `Funny, enlightening and incredibly well-researched' Emerald Street Over twenty years since its low-profile debut and Friends is the most streamed show on UK Netflix. But has it stood the test of time? Are some parts of it more problematic than we remember? And who was the cast's least favourite guest star?

  • Save 21%
    by Megan Hess
    £13.49

    Join internationally renowned fashion illustrator Megan Hess as she explores the timeless beauty and glamour of ten of Frances best-loveddesigners in a stylish celebration of one of the world's favourite fashion destinations.From the courts of Versailles to the cobbled streets of Paris, French fashion has always been the epitome of elegance. Whether its Diors New Look, Yves Saint Laurents Le Smoking jacket or Chanels little black dress, the masters of French fashion understand that clothing is more than a craft: it's an art form.Megan Hess'slove for French stylesparked her career in fashion illustration. In these pages, she unspools the threads of ten legendary designers Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Givenchy, Chloe, Balmain, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Celine to discover the origins ofhaute couture, prt--porter and everything chic.Accompanied by Megan's exquisite illustrations of current and archival collections,Elegance: The Beauty of French Fashiontells the story of how France's iconic fashion houses have influenced the very fabric of design.

  • Save 23%
    - A Guide to Successful Interior Decoration
    by Katrine Martensen-Larsen
    £34.49

    A visually powerful and practical book for creating the perfect Nordic-inspired home.

  • Save 30%
    - The Complete Collections
    by Susannah Frankel
    £41.99

    A comprehensive overview of Prada's womenswear collections from 1988 to present, revealed through catwalk photography.

  • Save 15%
    - Elton John Official Autobiography
    by Elton John
    £10.99 - 18.99

    The first and only official autobiography by the much-loved global icon Elton John

  • Save 20%
    by Patrick Potter
    £23.99

    New expanded 248pp 2019 Edition. The single best collection of photography of BanksyΓÇÖs street work that has ever been assembled for print. If that isnΓÇÖt enough there are some words too. You Are An Acceptable Level of Threat covers his entire street art career, spanning the late ''90s right up to the ΓÇÿSeasons GreetingsΓÇÖ Christmas 2018 piece in Port Talbot, Wales. This new edition includes his self-destructing ΓÇÿLove is in the BinΓÇÖ intervention, which according to Sotheby''s is "the first artwork in history to have been created live during an auction." The groundbreaking ΓÇÿDismalandΓÇÖ show, his Paris ΓÇÖ68 revisited works, The Walled Off Hotel, Brexit, Cans Festival, Brookyln and Basquiat, as well as new works from Gaza and New York. Also featuring the controversial ΓÇÿCheltenham SpiesΓÇÖ as well as ΓÇÿGirl with a Pearl EarringΓÇÖ, ΓÇÿArt BuffΓÇÖ and the spectacular ΓÇÿMobile LoversΓÇÖ which appeared outside Bristol Boys Boxing Club. 248 pages featuring his greatest works of art in context.

  • Save 24%
    by Prince
    £18.99

    Prince Rogers Nelson is one of the most popular and influential musical acts of all time. Known for his style and range, Prince¿s prolific music career included an ever-evolving sound that blended pop, R&B, hip-hop, jazz and soul. Prince sold over 100 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He won seven GRAMMY¿ Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award¿ for the film ¿Purple Rain.¿ He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the first year of his eligibility. Prince tragically passed away at his Paisley Park home on April 21, 2016. His legacy lives on through the timeless messages of love in his music and the countless ways his work has touched lives.Dan Piepenbring is a writer and former editor at The Paris Review.

  • Save 16%
    - Its History from the Eighteenth Century to the Present
    by George H. Marcus
    £33.49

    Written with the student in mind, an exploration of the development of design from the eighteenth century to the cutting-edge practices of the present.

  • Save 28%
    by Fashionary
    £24.49

    Textilepedia, a book that was published by Fashionary International Limited on the 17th of December, 2020, is an intriguing read that everyone should get their hands on. It's a book that delves into the world of textiles, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the subject. The author, whose name remains anonymous, has done an excellent job in compiling and presenting the information in a way that is both engaging and informative. The book falls under the genre of educational literature, making it a must-read for anyone interested in fashion, textiles, or simply looking to expand their knowledge. Fashionary International Limited, known for their quality publications, has once again delivered a masterpiece that is 'Textilepedia'. The book is written in English, catering to a wide range of readers globally. Don't miss out on this enlightening read!

  • Save 10%
    - The Richard and Judy bookclub pick and Sunday Times Bestseller
    by Alex Michaelides
    £8.99

    With film rights snapped up by an Oscar winning Hollywood production company, rights sold in a world record 43 territories, and rave blurbs from David Baldacci, Lee Child and A.J. Finn, The Silent Patient promises to be the debut thriller of 2019.

  • Save 22%
    by Phaidon Editors
    £30.99

    A stunning tribute to our eternal fascination with the human body - and the latest in the bestselling 'Explorer' Collection

  • Save 28%
    by Marcin Batylda
    £27.49

    An insightful, captivatingly designed, full-color hardcover that transports readers to the futuristic megalopolis of Night City--the epicenter of the vibrant new action-RPG from CD Projekt Red.Step into the year 2077, a world dotted with dystopian metropoles where violence, oppression, and cyberware implants aren't just common--they're necessary tools to get ahead. Delve into incisive lore to discover how the economic decline of the United States created a crippling dependence on devious corporations and birthed the Free State of California. Explore the various districts, gangs, and history of Night City. Learn all there is to know about the technology of tomorrow and research the cybernetics, weapons, and vehicles of Cyberpunk 2077. Dark Horse Books and CD Projekt Red present The World of Cyberpunk 2077--an extensive examination of the rich lore of Cyberpunk 2077. This intricately assembled tome contains everything you need to know about the history, characters, and world of the long-awaited follow-up from the creators of The Witcher video game series.

  • Save 27%
    - The White & Neutral Home
    by Chrissie Rucker
    £25.49

    The White Company, For the Love of White, is a captivating book written by Chrissie Rucker. Published by the Octopus Publishing Group in 2019, this book takes the readers on a mesmerizing journey. As a part of the genre of home and lifestyle, it offers a delightful exploration of the love for the color white in all its purity and elegance. Chrissie Rucker, the author, is renowned for her keen eye for design and aesthetics, which is brilliantly reflected in this book. The White Company is not just a book; it's an experience that transports you into a world where the color white reigns supreme. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of simplicity in design. Published by the Octopus Publishing Group, this book stands as a testament to the author's love for white and her exceptional ability to bring it to life through her words.

  • Save 24%
    - Faith and Devotion
    by Ian Gittins
    £18.99

    Published to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of the formation of Depeche Mode in 1980, the story of the electro-pop band's meteoric rise. Gittins is co-author of Nikki Sixx's bestselling "The Heroin Diaries".

  • Save 31%
    - Drawing Course
    by Gerald M. Ackerman
    £44.99

    The Bargue-Gerome Drawing Course is a complete reprint of a famous, late nineteenth century drawing course.

  • Save 20%
    by Susan Michals & Reuel Golden
    £11.99 - 28.49

  • Save 29%
    by Alan Riding
    £35.49

    For a decade, Serra Pelada evoked the long-promised El Dorado as the world's largest open-air gold mine, employing some 50,000 diggers in appalling conditions. Today, Brazil's gold rush is merely the stuff of legend, kept alive by a few happy memories, many pained regrets-and Sebastiao Salgado's photographs. This collection is a major...

  • Save 20%
     
    £99.99

    The Helmut Newton SUMO was a titanic book that towered above anything previously attempted. Twenty years later, we celebrate the legacy of this publishing venture in an XL edition, the result of a project conceived by Helmut Newton and revised by his wife June. Gathering 464 images and a new booklet that takes us through the making of the SUMO,...

  • Save 20%
    - Wonderful Things
    by Tim Walker
    £23.99

    A journey through the unique creative mind of one of the world's leading photographers, this book includes over 100 new photographs by Tim Walker, inspired by the V&A's enormous and eclectic collection, from Renaissance stained glass to an Alexander McQueen gown.

  • Save 23%
    - The World as You've Never Seen It Before
    by Patricia Schultz
    £36.99

    A photo-driven, deluxe gift-book edition of the bestselling travel book of all time, Patricia Schultz's #1 New York Times bestseller 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

  • Save 29%
    - Homes and Interiors under the Southern Sun
     
    £28.49

    Warme Erdtöne, handgewebte Teppiche, Rattanmöbel und farbenfrohe Keramik treffen in hellen Räumen auf Sichtbeton und Glas. The New Mediterranean stellt die neue mediterrane Wohnkultur vor, bei der sich sonnige Folklore mit klassischer Moderne verbindet. Das Buch blickt in Wohnungen und Sommerhäuser auf der ganzen Welt und versammelt inspirierende Wohn- und Dekorationsideen. Neben Porträts wegweisender Designer und Architekten stellt The New Mediterranean traditionelle Handwerkskunst vor und zeigt, wie man auch Tausende Kilometer vom Mittelmeerraum entfernt ein mediterranes Wohngefühl erzeugen kann.

  • Save 20%
    - A Visual Exploration
    by Joshua Izzo
    £11.99

    Celebrate the first decade of James Cameron's Avatar and the beginnings of an epic cinematic journey. Delve into the majestic world of Pandora and discover the incredible wealth of creativity that led this story to become the highest-grossing film of all time and the winner of three Academy Awards. The World of Avatar celebrates, explores, and explains the spectacular world of Pandora-its extraordinary geology, flora and fauna, and the customs and beliefs of its people, the mysterious Na'vi. The book uniquely covers key content from all aspects of the burgeoning franchise. It combines original movie stills and artwork with stunning imagery from Cirque du Soleil's Avatar-inspired show Toruk: The First Flight; and Disney World's Pandora-The World of Avatar.With a foreword by Avatar star Zoe Saldana (Neytiri), and an introduction by producer Jon Landau, The World of Avatar concludes with a "sneak peek" of a new Avatar era, fuelling excitement for the long-awaited release of Avatar 2 in December 2022. © 2022 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

  • Save 29%
    - Evocative Style
    by Kelly Wearstler
    £31.99

    For her first book in ten years, Kelly Wearstler, one of the most irreverent and fascinating designers working today, continues to push boundaries with her inventive and opulent interiors, here inviting readers into her latest creations including her newly designed home.

  • Save 24%
    by Julia Tremaine
    £18.99

    Filled with delicious recipes inspired by the hit television series, this cookbook allows fans to experience the world of Supernatural like never before.

  • Save 27%
    - Early Songs and Drawings
    by JONI MITCHELL
    £21.99

    Originally handcrafted in 1971 as a gift for friends, this edition of Joni Mitchell's best-loved poems, illustrations, watercolours and hand-lettered song lyrics is now publicly available for the first time. The perfect Christmas present for any Joni Mitchell fan

  • Save 29%
    by Ramin Zahed
    £28.49

    A stunning book exploring the art of Sergio Pablos' animated Christmas original, Klaus.

Culture
What defines culture you might ask? The answer is culture is what defines you. It is what makes us humans human and differentiate us from all other species on the planet. Art and culture is what we share with others, whether it is so called high culture or pop culture. High culture is typically associated with the ‘finer’, classical art forms such as opera, classical music, visual art, ballet and plays. Works that often have a certain age and artistic acknowledgement begin it, but fine culture is also sometimes seen as “high-brow” and not something everyone can understand and that’s sad, because culture and cultural books are for everyone no matter the kind. On the other end of the spectrum we have pop culture that typically is associated with more modern, popular and mainstream forms of culture. It can be pop music, cartoons or big blockbuster movies. We have cultural books from each side of the spectrum, but the best thing is that a change between the two concepts is coming and people are more open about mixing high culture and pop culture, because they are not that different at all. The most important thing about culture is that it connects us and is part of who we are. It can create communities and friendships, but also let us reflect upon ourselves. You can get wiser on that topic in some of our selection’s culture books. 

Art
In our selection you find some of the finest art books featuring some of the greatest artists in history and now. Art is a very important part of our culture. In art you have the possibility of getting engrossed in a wonderful painting, a provocative sculpture, a brilliant play or a beautiful ballet. 
In art you can get lost in the most wonderful stories and themes and identify yourself with someone who doesn’t necessarily look and act like you. By experiencing that you improve your ability of empathy. At the same time you can learn about yourself through art and art books especially when it comes to feelings that can be difficult to describe. In art the themes and problematics are universal and that’s why we feel recognized when experiencing a play, listening to a symphony, studying a great painting or reading a good art book. The art books are best enjoyed in a relaxed setting giving the art room to speak. 
Another beautiful thing about art is that it needs interpretation. When a person meets a well painted painting, a classical sculpture, or a provocative installation it makes us reflect about what it means, and what the art will tell us about society, life or yourself. Everyone can get something different out of a good artwork, because it speaks directly to you and functions as a dialog, where you will have to finish the sentence with your interpretation taking our own life and experiences into the artwork.
We also have a lot of artist books. One of the most talented and popular artists right now are the world famous Dane Vilhelm Hammershøi. Hammershøi has a very significant way of painting giving voice to the melankolic side of the world and of us humans. The painter is famous for his artworks of especially white doors in his apartment in Copenhagen. In the paintings Hammershøi plays with light and shadow in a brilliant way giving room to both sides, which also could be seen as a reflection of life that contains both. The motive also makes the art watcher wonder what is on the other side of the doors or corridors making them compose a continuation of the painting. You can read about Hammershøi in an European context in the artist book Hammershoi and Europe

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