Absolutely Best Cross-Sections Book Ever

Regular readers will know how highly esteemed as craftsman, illustrator and researcher Biesty is and his cross-sectional approach to complex structures has won him wide acclaim in all quarters. To those of us reared on The Children's Encyclopedia, Wonder Books. The Eagle and W T Stead in the Illustrated London News the concept is not new but here, in Biesty's work, it has reached its apogee. A combination of endearing intimacy with devoted accuracy is served by a supremely able graphic style to produce an illustrative masterpiece on every page. I do not believe in using 'incredible' as an everyday description but here it is justified. Biesty's subjects range from Dentures to the Empire State Building, Fishing Trawler to Coal Mine, all treated with the same intensity of interest which serves to dignify the frivolous as well as to lighten up the gruesome. And Where's Wally? fans will not be disappointed - there are plenty of bog-squatters to spot. Biesty's own introduction is illuminating, too - it took over 16,000 hours of work for him to complete this book - working at 50 hours a week - and his appreciation of the contribution made by Platt's perceptive text reminds us of this writer's excellent ability. This title was doubtless timed to hit the Christmas market but it would make a superb present any time. Reflect that 'Stephen Biesty' is an anagram of His Best Pen Yet, which just about sums it up.