Coffee Table Books for Men
Like the art on your walls and the clothes on your back, coffee table books help you express yourself. Not only can they be powerful conversation starters, they're also something you can be proud of.
Here are some of the best coffee table books every sophisticated gentleman should own.
Style and stories
Another Man: Men's Style Stories Book — high fashion, culture, art. This coffee table book is filled with anti-heroes, legends, and cultural icons. Featuring over 300 images and numerous interviews with musicians such as Jarvis Cocker and Paul Simonon, and writers such as William Gibson and William Burroughs, this book urges us to think outside of the box and to paint outside the lines.
Beauty and power
American Beauty — two powerhouse women, photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank and writer Genevieve Bahrenburg, team up to bring us portraits of graceful and glamorous women that represent America. Singer and actress Solange Knowles. Filmmaker Maggie Betts. Painter Meredith Melling Burke. And over 100 more.
Art and perception
Instead of opting for a book dedicated to one artist, consider a book that showcases an artistic moment in history. Don't go so far back as the Renaissance, Neoclassicism, or Romanticism. Instead, keep it contemporary and modern.
Check out Masters of Deception: Escher, Dali and the Artists of Optical Illusion. Filled with beautiful works of genius that manipulate perspective, this coffee table book is as provocative as it is daring. Sometimes, especially when our business and social lives are filled with so much routine and structure, it's refreshing to view life anew through bizarre art.
The elegant gentleman
As gentlemen, it's pivotal to know how far we can push our personas and how best we can test our ideas. But let's be frank, sometimes it's easier to learn our limits by observing others who take it just a bit too far. In the coffee table book I Am Dandy, you'll find fabulous photos, amazing aesthetics, and wise words. It also includes several excellent examples of well-groomed and well-dressed men who might be just a touch too self-absorbed. Indeed, the men featured in this collection are either at the top of their game, or over the top — you decide
For those who have been there, done that
Not all of your coffee table books should reflect the stylish man you've crafted yourself into. It's okay to dip into the past, or to reveal aspects of yourself that aren't normally on show. Mind you, there are many cool coffee table books that can't be confidently displayed by just anyone. For those kinds of books, it's best if you have a genuine, personal connection to them.
For example, if you're a genuine rock 'n' roll aficionado, think about getting Who Shot Rock and Roll: A Photographic History, 1955-Present.
As modern gentlemen, we strive to be role models, and we take care of our appearance, the items in our apartments — even coffee table books — represent a natural extension of who we authentically are. They're also a load of fun to look through.
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