Vincent Virga

Cartographia: Mapping Civilizations
"Unlike any other atlas ever previously published, Virga’s book is a dazzling, singularly splendid vision of the world and of people’s places within it. ...if you buy only one book this year, this must be the one."

More links about Cartographia:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/talk/2007/12/maps_as_fascinating_book_1.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17173936

http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=4213

Eyes of the Nation: A Visual History of the United States
"A gripping and absorbing book whose words and pictures immerse you in the great sweep of American history."
" ...a sumptuous visual chronicle of the life and times of America... the captions sparkle brightest, adding context while offering surprising information."

Gaywyck
"I enjoyed Gaywyck very much. To me a fascinating mixture of Wilde, the Gothic and, above all, the souls laid to rest in New York."
"I read it at least twice a year and am on my third copy."