A holiday tradition for over a quarter century on the "Today" show is Gene Shalit's annual presentation of unusual books for gift giving. Learn more about the books Gene recommends:
"1,000 Places to See Before You Die"
By Patricia SchultzPublished by Workman$18.95Paperback
"China"
By Yann LaymaPublished by Abrams$50Hardcover
"Cooking 1-2-3: 500 Fabulous Three-Ingredient Recipes"
By Rozanne GoldPublished by Stewart, Tabori & Chang$37.50Hardcover
"The Country Music Pop-up Book: The Staff of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum"
By Country Music Hall of FamePublished by Universe Books$45Hardback
"Defining a Nation: Our America and the Sources of Its Strength"
Edited by David HalberstamPublished by National Geographic Books$40Hardcover
"Extraordinary Pigeons"
By Stephen Green-ArmytagePublished by Abrams$24.95Hardcover
"The Hidden Alphabet"
By Laura Vaccaro SeegerPublished by Roaring Brook$17.95Hardback
"The Noblest Invention"
By The Editors of Bicycling MagazinePublished by Rodale Press$27.95Hardcover
"Porsche: The Road from Zuffenhausen"
By Dennis AdlerPublished by Random House$75Hardcover
"Firefighters"
Authors: JoEllen L. Kelly, Robert Y. YatsukPublished by Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Inc.$75A portion of the proceeds from "Firefighters" will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the organization dedicated to honoring America’s fire heroes and their families. For more information, visit www.firehero.org.
"These United States"Photographs by Jake RajsIntroduction by Walter CronkitePublished by Rizzoli$175
"Here Be Dragons"
A Fantastic BestiaryAuthors: Ariane Delacampagne and Christian DelacampagnePublished by Princeton University Press$45.00
"Antartica"Authors: Pat & Rosemarie KeoughPublished by Nahanni Productions, Inc.$30
"Twins"Photographs by Mary Ellen MarkPublished by Aperture$50
"Benjamin Franklin: An American Life"Author: Walter IsaacsonPublished by Simon & Schuster$30
"The Art and Spirit of Paris"General Editor: Michel LaclottePublished by Abbeville Press$385 until January 1, 2004, $425 thereafter
"The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World"Author: Guillaume de LaubierPublished by Abrams$50