Abrams ComicArts – serie

The graphic novel adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize–winning postapocalyptic classic, The Road, approved and authorized by McCarthy and illustrated by acclaimed cartoonist Manu Larcenet. Now an Eisner Award winner and named a "must-read graphic novel" by Amazon."Superb. A suitably dark graphic treatment of McCarthy’s postapocalyptic masterpiece." (Kirkus)The story of a nameless father and son trying to survive with their humanity intact in a postapocalyptic wasteland where Earth’s natural resources have been diminished, and some survivors are left to raise others for meat, The Road is one of Cormac McCarthy’s bleakest and most prescient novels.This first official graphic novel adaptation of McCarthy’s work is illustrated by acclaimed French cartoonist Manu Larcenet, who ably transforms the world depicted by McCarthy’s spare and brutal prose into stark ink drawings that add an additional layer to this haunting tale of family love and human perseverance.Dedicated to his son, John Francis McCarthy, McCarthy’s The Road is one of his most personal novels. Ranked 17th on The Guardian’s 100 Best Novels of the 21st century, it was the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for literature, and the James Tait Black Memorial Award, the Believer Award, and it was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award.Cormac McCarthy personally approved the making of this book before his death, and the adaptation bears the approval of the McCarthy estate.

Stimulus: plans: good or bad? Jobs: can we afford them? Money: who's got it? Everybody's talking about the economy, but how can you evaluate what they're saying? How can we, the people, understand what the banks or government knows (or says they know)? Author Michael Goodwin asked himself the same questions and came up with a good answer: explore the development of economic thought, examine the reality of economic practice, add a wry sense of humour and tell all through the graphic medium. In a word, Economix. Goodwin's wit and clarity of writing along with artist Dan Burr's quirky, iconic art transform the "dismal science" of economics into a fun, fact-filled story about human nature and our attempts to make the most of what we've got . . . and sometimes what our neighbors have got. Economix explains it all from the beginning of Western economic thought to markets, free or otherwise, to economic failures, successes and anomalies, to how our modern economy is grappling with war, climate change and resource limitations. The book's graphic format means complex ideas can be comprehensive and accessible.

The graphic-novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s groundbreaking dystopian novel, Parable of the Sower, the follow-up to Kindred, a #1 New York Times bestsellerIn this graphic-novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower by Damian Duffy and John Jennings, the award-winning team behind Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation,the author portrays a searing vision of America’s future. In the year 2024, the country is marred by unattended environmental and economic crises that lead to social chaos. Lauren Olamina, a preacher’s daughter living in Los Angeles, is protected from danger by the walls of her gated community. However, in a night of fire and death, what begins as afight for survival soon leads to something much more: a startling vision of human destiny . . . and the birth of a new faith.

National bestseller2017 National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) FinalistABA Indies Introduce Winter / Spring 2017 SelectionBarnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Spring 2017 SelectionALA 2018 Notable Books SelectionAn intimate and poignant graphic novel portraying one family’s journey from war-torn Vietnam, from debut author Thi Bui. This beautifully illustrated and emotional story is an evocative memoir about the search for a better future and a longing for the past. Exploring the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family, Bui documents the story of her family’s daring escape after the fall of South Vietnam in the 1970s, and the difficulties they faced building new lives for themselves. At the heart of Bui’s story is a universal struggle: While adjusting to life as a first-time mother, she ultimately discovers what it means to be a parent—the endless sacrifices, the unnoticed gestures, and the depths of unspoken love. Despite how impossible it seems to take on the simultaneous roles of both parent and child, Bui pushes through. With haunting, poetic writing and breathtaking art, she examines the strength of family, the importance of identity, and the meaning of home. In what Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen calls “a book to break your heart and heal it,” The Best We Could Do brings to life Thi Bui’s journey of understanding, and provides inspiration to all of those who search for a better future while longing for a simpler past.

A playful examination of the way we think (and overthink) by cartoonist Grant Snider, creator of Incidental Comics, which appear regularly in the New York Times Book ReviewThinking About Thinking—the latest sly and charming collection of one- and two-page haiku-like comics from cartoonist Grant Snider—explores our inner life, using colorful illustrations and clever visual metaphors to depict the spectrum of our emotions.Facing self-doubt? Overcoming fears? Grappling with indecision? Snider doesn’t present solutions to these challenges, but he does inspire and encourage, offering thoughtful reassurance and a unique, humorous perspective that’s characteristic of his work—an approach that resonates with millions of readers all over the world.Emotions can be tricky to navigate. We overthink. We second-guess. And we can’t get out of our own way. The reality is, it’s impossible for any of us to understand our complicated feelings fully. But fear not, because you’ve come to the right place.

The first graphic novel adaptation of Dune, the groundbreaking science-fiction classic by Frank Herbert—now in a deluxe collector’s editionDune, Frank Herbert’s epic science-fiction masterpiece set in the far future amidst a sprawling feudal interstellar society, tells the story of Paul Atreides as he and his family accept control of the desert planet Arrakis. A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism, and politics, Dune is a powerful, fantastical tale that takes an unprecedented look into our universe, and is transformed by the graphic novel format. Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s adaptation retains the integrity of the original novel, and Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín’s magnificent illustrations, along with cover art by Bill Sienkiewicz, bring the book to life for a new generation of readers. A national bestseller, Dune: The Graphic Novel, is now available in a deluxe collector's edition with an increased trim size of 7 1/2" x 11 1/4", printed on high-quality matte art paper in a faux-cloth slipcase with gold foil stamping tip-on cover.

National bestseller2017 National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) FinalistABA Indies Introduce Winter / Spring 2017 SelectionBarnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Spring 2017 SelectionALA 2018 Notable Books SelectionAn intimate and poignant graphic novel portraying one family’s journey from war-torn Vietnam, from debut author Thi Bui.  This beautifully illustrated and emotional story is an evocative memoir about the search for a better future and a longing for the past. Exploring the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family, Bui documents the story of her family’s daring escape after the fall of South Vietnam in the 1970s, and the difficulties they faced building new lives for themselves.  At the heart of Bui’s story is a universal struggle: While adjusting to life as a first-time mother, she ultimately discovers what it means to be a parent—the endless sacrifices, the unnoticed gestures, and the depths of unspoken love. Despite how impossible it seems to take on the simultaneous roles of both parent and child, Bui pushes through. With haunting, poetic writing and breathtaking art, she examines the strength of family, the importance of identity, and the meaning of home.  In what Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen calls “a book to break your heart and heal it,” The Best We Could Do brings to life Thi Bui’s journey of understanding, and provides inspiration to all of those who search for a better future while longing for a simpler past.

What does an idea look like? And where do they come from? Grant Snider’s illustrations will motivate you to explore these questions, inspire you to come up with your own answers and, like all Gordian knots, prompt even more questions. Whether you are a professional artist or designer, a student pursuing a creative career, a person of faith, someone who likes walks on the beach, or a dreamer who sits on the front porch contemplating life, this collection of one- and two-page comics will provide insight into the joys and frustrations of creativity, inspiration, and process - no matter your age or creative background.

An intimate, clever, and ultimately gut-wrenching graphic memoir about the daily decision people must make between being sexualized or being invisible—now in paperbackIn Commute, we follow author and illustrator Erin Williams on her daily commute to and from work, punctuated by recollections of sexual encounters as well as memories of her battle with alcoholism, addiction, and recovery. As she moves through the world navigating banal, familiar, and sometimes uncomfortable interactions with the familiar-faced strangers she sees daily, Williams weaves together a riveting collection of flashbacks.Williams recollections highlight the indefinable moments when lines are crossed and a woman must ask herself if the only way to avoid being objectified is to simply cease drawing any attention to her physical being. She delves into the gray space that lives between consent and assault and tenderly explores the complexity of the shame, guilt, vulnerability, and responsibility attached to both.Praise for Commute“This sharp and splendidly drawn memoir will strike a strong chord in the current moment. ” —Publishers Weekly, starred review“One day’s commute offers time for the author to reflect on sexual predators, alcoholism, and the experiences she understands better now than she did at the time. . . . A catharsis for the author that fits perfectly within a pivotal period for society and culture at large.” —Kirkus Reviews“This is welcoming, soul-baring, stunningly interconnected, and very discussable.” —Booklist

A look at the culture and fanaticism of book lovers, from beloved New York Times illustrator Grant Snider It’s no secret, but we are judged by our bookshelves. We learn to read at an early age, and as we grow older we shed our beloved books for new ones. But some of us surround ourselves with books. We collect them, decorate with them, are inspired by them, and treat our books as sacred objects. In this lighthearted collection of one- and two-page comics, writer-artist Grant Snider explores bookishness in all its forms, and the love of writing and reading, building on the beloved literary comics featured on his website, Incidental Comics. With a striking package including a die-cut cover, I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf is the perfect gift for bookworms of all ages.

This gripping graphic novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s groundbreaking dystopian novel stands beside the acclaimed previous graphic novel adaptations, Kindred, a #1 New York Times bestseller, and Parable of the Sower, winner of the Hugo AwardNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Graphic NovelSet against a background of a war-torn continent under the control of a Christian fundamentalist fascist state, Parable of the Talents is a modern masterpiece that resonates powerfully.This graphic novel adaptation is brought to life thrillingly by Damian Duffy and John Jennings, the creative team behind the #1 New York Times bestselling adaptation of Kindred.Parable of the Talents is told in the voice of Lauren Olamina’s daughter, Asha Vere—from whom she has been separated for most of the girl’s life—interspersed with sections in the form of Lauren’s own journals.Asha searches for answers about her past while struggling to reconcile with her mother’s legacy—caught between her duty to her chosen family and her calling to lead humankind into a better future among the stars.Octavia E. Butler's bestselling literary science-fiction masterpieces are essential works in feminist, Afrofuturist, and fantasy genres, and this compelling graphic novel adaptation of Parable of the Talents is a must-read graphic novel for our time.

A humorous, uplifting look at mindfulness, from beloved illustrator Grant Snider“Find a quiet spot away from all distraction / Listen to your breath / Watch your thoughts float past you / Forget the obligations of today / Try not to consider your eventual decay / Let yourself drift away / Arise, connected with the Earth / Awakened to the Universe.”“Mindfulness” is a buzzword bordering on the cliché, with books filling the shelves of any indie bookstore you step into. Although clichés remind us of the familiar and the commonplace, they take on new meaning and greater significance when presented in a fresh new way. In The Art of Living, cartoonist Grant Snider, author of The Shape of Ideas and I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf, has created an all-new collection of one- and two-page comics that map his inner thoughts, poetic observations, and frequent failures at living mindfully. With both humor and a touch of reality, The Art of Living centers on mindfulness, but also empathy, relaxation, gratitude, and awareness—evergreen subjects that are more important and relevant now than ever. With a striking package that includes a die-cut cover, The Art of Living is an extension of the themes of Snider’s first two books—which explored the creative process and the love of reading—and is the perfect gift for those in a need of reflection, commiseration, hope, and a little extra self-care. Above all, Snider's cartoons will inspire and encourage a more thoughtful way of experiencing the world.

Charlie Brown comes to life like never before in this giftable pop-up book featuring the first-ever Peanuts comic strip in Here Comes Charlie Brown!With this innovative, palm-sized pop-up book, cartoonist and comics historian Gene Kannenberg Jr. brings that very first comic strip to life for a whole new generation, as well as for longtime fans of the classic and beloved brand.Charles M. Schulz introduced readers to “Good Ol’ Charlie Brown” on October 2, 1950, with the publication of the very first Peanuts comic strip—considered the most iconic comic of all time. It is also a perfect haiku of art, text, and paranoia, with a variation of the Browning sonnet “How Do I Love Thee?” thrown in for literary measure.Everything that is great about Schulz and Peanuts is established right out of the gate in these four perfect panels, which have influenced every comic strip that has followed.

A graphic novel biography following the life of Bobby Fischer, from chess wunderkind and national hero to his eventual spiral into madness and infamyThe life of Bobby Fischer (1943–2008) had many unexpected moves—from his solitary childhood to his stratospheric accomplishments in the world of competitive chess, and eventually, his decent into mental illness and disgrace. Black and White begins in Brooklyn, where Fischer was born and raised by a single mother. By the time he was a teen, he had established himself as a loner and dropped out of school. But none of that mattered; he had found his true calling—chess.In 1972, at age 13, Fischer played what many consider “the game of the century” against the Soviet Union’s chess champion Boris Spassky at the height of the Cold War. A year later, Fischer became the youngest-ever US Chess Champion, and at 15, the game’s youngest grandmaster. Never before had chess received such international attention. Fischer, whose sole focus in life up until then was chess, reached the Olympus of chess at 29, and then . . . he disappeared. Suffering from mental illness, the chess genius became increasingly paranoid, lost in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories—despite the fact that he himself was Jewish—and died as a fugitive in Iceland. With Black and White, author Julian Voloj and illustrator William Wagner have crafted a beautiful and fascinating work that reveals Fischer’s history while also contextualizing his lasting impact on pop culture. Black and White is the first-ever graphic novel to tell Fischer’s story and examine the legacy he left behind.

Inspired by a true story, this graphic novel follows a Jewish immigrant’s efforts to help his Japanese neighbors while they're incarcerated during World War II. Winner, Best in Young Adult Non-Fictionfrom the Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards“A powerful book about advocating for friends and neighbors during times of great division.” —Kazu Kibuishi, #1 New York Times bestselling author-illustrator of the Amulet seriesAn evocative and beautiful graphic novel revealing the truth of one man’s extraordinary efforts, We Are Not Strangers converges two perspectives into a single portrait of a community’s struggle with race, responsibility, and what it truly means to be an American.Marco Calvo always knew his grandfather, affectionately called Papoo, was a good man. After all, he was named for him. A first-generation Jewish immigrant, Papoo was hardworking, smart, and caring.When Papoo peacefully passes away, Marco expects the funeral to be simple. But he' caught off guard by something unusual. Among his close family and friends are mourners he doesn’t recognize—Japanese American families—and no one is quite sure who they are or why they are at the service. How did these strangers know his grandfather so well?Set in the multicultural Central District of Seattle during World War II and inspired by author Josh Tuininga’s family experiences, We Are Not Strangers explores a unique situation of Japanese and Jewish Americans living side by side in a country at war.Following Papoo’s perspective, we learn of his life as a Sephardic Jewish immigrant and his friendship with Sam Akiyama, a Japanese man whose life is upended by Executive Order 9066, which authorized the incarceration of nearly all Japanese Americans and residents of Japanese ancestry. Determined to keep Sam’s business afloat while he and his family are unjustly imprisoned, he and Papoo create a plan that will change the Akiyama’s lives forever."At its core, a relatable tale of friendship, shared experiences of discrimination, and the power of individuals to make a difference." — The BeatIntroduction by award-winning author Ken Mochizuki Afterword by Devin Naar, author of Jewish Salonica

From Derf Backderf, the bestselling author of My Friend Dahmer, comes the Eisner and ALA/YALSA Alex Award-winning tragic and unforgettable story of the Kent State shootings, told in graphic novel form.Named a Best Book of the Year by New York Times, Forbes, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and NPR, Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio is a moving and troubling story about the bitter price of dissent—as relevant today as it was in 1970.On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard gunned down unarmed college students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University. In a deadly barrage of 67 shots, four students were killed and nine shot and wounded. It was the day America turned guns on its own children—a shocking event burned into our national memory.The fatal shootings triggered immediate and massive outrage on campuses around the country. More than four million students participated in organized walkouts at hundreds of universities, colleges, and high schools, the largest student strike in the history of the United States at that time. It was a day that shocked the nation and helped turn the tide of public opinion against America’s war in Vietnam.A few days prior, 10-year-old Derf Backderf saw those same guardsmen patrolling his nearby hometown, sent in by the governor to crush a trucker strike.Using the journalism skills he employed on My Friend Dahmer and Trashed, Backderf has conducted extensive interviews and research to explore the lives of these four young people and the events of those four days in May, when the country seemed on the brink of tearing apart.In this award-winning and powerful graphic novel, Derf Backderf takes us back to the age of the Vietnam War, Richard Nixon, Woodstock, and the Cold War and explores, in words and images, a scene of tragedy: the campus of Kent State University, where National Guard Troops attacked unarmed protestors and killed four students (Allison Beth Krause, age 19, Jeffrey Glenn Miller, age 20, Sandra Lee Scheuer, age 20, and William Knox Schroeder, age 19).

Mighty Marvel Calendar Book: A Visual History presents seven years of Marvel history in this incredible showcase featuring art from some of the greatest illustrators who drew stories for the House of Ideas.From 1975–81, Marvel created seven consecutive calendars that were as artistically designed and captivatingly written as any of their comic books. Each of these annual calendars—whether they celebrated the Bicentennial (1976) or spotlighted a specific character such as Spider-Man (1978), Hulk (1979), or Doctor Strange (1980), featured heroes and villains across the pantheon of the Marvel Universe—and all shared inspired features. These included visual call-outs for birthdays of noted Marvel staff and creators; key moments in Marvel history; special events, famous quotes from fan-favorite issues, and other celebratory mentions; with exclusive art from iconic Marvel artists, created especially for these calendars by Jack Kirby, John Buscema, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Walter Simonson, Gil Kane, George Pérez, Gene Colan, Jim Starlin, Sal Buscema, Mike Ploog, and dozens more.Never before has all of this astounding art been reprinted, and the complete set of covers, interiors, and gorgeously designed monthly entries are reproduced at their original size in this beautiful, oversize hardcover package. Also included is new commentary, rare promotional materials, and an introduction by longtime Marvel writer/editor/historian Roy Thomas. The years might keep ticking away, but the work collected in this special book remains timeless!“These calendars showcase some of the greatest artwork ever done in comics. I’ve been waiting a long, long time for this book.” —Alex Ross

Thrilling, funny, fresh, and surprising, From Above is a one-of-a-kind graphic novel that is impossible to put down. As the Washington Post noted: “Panchaud’s diagrammatic style, informed by his dyslexia, is conceptually fresh;"This innovative, award-winning graphic novel uses the visual language of infographics to tell the story of Simon—an average teenager whose brush with a fortune teller sends him on a surreal adventure.From Above is an internationally acclaimed, groundbreaking graphic novel that tells its story from a bird’s-eye view. Characters are depicted as colored circles in a graphic and strikingly designed visual approach reminiscent of Chris Ware's. Readers are encouraged to actively engage with the story as its relatively simple setup unfolds into a shocking and surreal adventure.Simon is an unpopular and awkward 14-year-old boy. Overweight, eager to please, and well-meaning, no matter how hard he tries, his lot in life is to be bullied by the neighborhood children and neglected by his absentminded parents.But one day everything changes for Simon when he does a favor for a fortune teller who rewards him by telling him the name of the winning horse at the Royal Ascot. Simon becomes an overnight millionaire when he bets his father’s life savings on the winning horse. But as he returns home, he discovers that his mother is in a coma and his father has disappeared.Simon can’t collect his winnings without finding his father, and he can’t help his mother until he solves the mystery of her sudden condition. With time running out, can Simon change his fortune?

The 4,000-year history of the city of Jerusalem unfolds in an exceptional graphic narrative that touches on the birth of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, as well as famous conquerors and mighty empires, and more.This engaging and even-handed 256-page graphic novel, written by renowned historian Vincent Lemire and illustrated by cartoonist and animator Christophe Gaultier, is an excellent choice for the classroom and for anyone who wants to explore the fascinating story of Jerusalem.The story of Jerusalem is in many ways the story of the development of Western civilization—religions were born on its streets, famous conquerors laid siege to it, and great empires clashed over it.Four thousand years ago, Jerusalem was a small, isolated village perched on a ridge line between the Mediterranean and the desert. Today it is a bustling metropolis with almost one million inhabitants, attracting visitors from all over the world.Considered the cradle of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—the three major monotheistic religions—and a spiritual capital for more than half of humanity, Jerusalem's history gives us a unique perspective into the histories of these different religious identities.Readers will meet Abraham, King Herod, Empress Helena (the mother of Constantine I), Queen Melisende of Jerusalem, Saladin, Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, General Edmund Allenby, Palestinian nationalist Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni, former Mayor Teddy Kollek, and many other famous people who have helped build the story of Jerusalem.But it takes many hands to make a city, and the history of the city is the history of the residents who lead lives both great and small within its walls. As Lemire and Gaultier guide us through the lives of Jerusalem’s most famous residents, so too do they introduce us to the people, priests, craftsmen, architects, and residents who have built the history of Jerusalem over the last five millennia.

A graphic novel biography of actor, humanitarian, and style icon Audrey Hepburn—best known for Breakfast at Tiffany’s and one of the most enduring and beloved celebrities of the 20th centuryAuthor Eileen Hofer and illustrator Christopher Longé peel back the myth of Audrey Hepburn in this graphic novel exploring the life behind her legacy.From the trauma of abandonment and war to her dizzying rise to stardom and her commitment to charity work in her retirement, Hofer and Christopher show Hepburn as she was—and how she came by the strength and grace that made her so much more than a movie star.Born into privilege, Audrey Hepburn lived an incredible riches-to-rags-to-riches life as her childhood was swiftly upended by World War II. During the course of her incredible career, she was a muse of Givenchy, only the third woman to win the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award), and an activist whose work for UNICEF earned her a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.Her inimitable charisma, deep empathy, and dedication to her craft built a lasting legacy—one that stands out among her peers during Hollywood’s golden era.Decades later, a cottage industry of books about how best to emulate her, a robot named Sophia that is based on her, and even a digital likeness (which was featured in an ad for Galaxy chocolate), all speak to her enduring legacy. Hepburn’s skill as a performer and her magnetism won her generations of fans worldwide.Her name is synonymous with elegance and a certain kind of movie stardom given the impeccable image she so carefully curated during her lifetime—an image which hid incredible resilience and strength.

Don't miss this timely read, an NPR “Books We Love”: “Deeply researched biography told in sharply attentive black-and-white comics.”Legendary cartoonist Bill Griffith brings a personal touch to this illustrated history of his great-grandfather, William Henry Jackson—a pioneering photographer of the American West whose work led to Yellowstone becoming the first National Park and was a major influence on Ansel Adams.In his new graphic biography, legendary cartoonist Bill Griffith, creator of Zippy the Pinhead, tells the story of his namesake and great-grandfather, William Henry Jackson, who was one of the first photographers of the American West.Jackson’s photography spurred Americans to move westward, inspiring photographers such as Ansel Adams, and playing a role in the creation of our national parks, including Yellowstone.Using his unique approach to graphic novel biography, which Kirkus hails as setting a “standard” for the medium, Griffith explores every aspect of his great-grandfather’s life and legacy, which he pulls from family letters, diaries, and anecdotes, primary sources, and the archives of the New York Public Library and the Library of Congress, as well as from the more than 25 books written about Jackson and his work.Like all of Griffith’s biographies, Photographic Memory is a thoroughly researched, sharply observant character study written from a place of love, which explores photography in an illustrated medium. Not an easy trick to pull off—unless you are Bill Griffith.

Karl Lagerfeld—a larger-than-life fashion icon who changed the industry and a living brand—comes to life in this all–new graphic novel biography that looks at the man behind the logo“It starts with me and it ends with me.”—Karl LagerfeldKarl Lagerfeld stylized himself into a living logo and a myth of the fashion world. As a brand, his name is synonymous with luxury, and as a designer, he worked for and influenced almost every major luxury brand since the beginning of his career, from his apprenticeship with Balmain to Fendi, whose logo he designed, to his renowned tenure at Chanel from 1982–2000.Now, FAZ editor Alfons Kaiser, who knew Lagerfeld personally, tells the story of the charismatic fashion designer in this new graphic novel biography. Using many previously unknown sources, Karl Lagerfeld explores every aspect of his colorful career. From a youthful outsider in the northern German plains to an urbane genius in Paris competing to make a name for himself against designers such as Yves Saint-Laurent, this personal look at Lagerfeld’s life paints a picture of a peerless designer, a tireless illustrator, an avid photographer, a passionate book collector, and a peerless workaholic.But most of all, Kaiser tells the story of the man behind the larger-than-life figure: the precocious boy who preferred drawing in the attic to playing with his peers; the son who argued with his parents but never got away from them; Saint-Laurent’s greatest rival; a brother, uncle, friend—and the partner of Jacques de Bascher, the great love of his life.