Hardcovers: Performing Arts

ABBEVILLE

Starstruck: Vintage Movie Posters from Classic Hollywood (Oct., $65) by Ira M. Resnick reproduces 250 lush posters and 60 stills from the years 1912–1962.

ABRAMS

The Art of Avatar (Nov., $29.95) by Lisa Fitzpatrick serves as a companion book to James Cameron's 3-D action-adventure film coming in December.

ABRAMS IMAGE

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Me and My Friends (Oct., $24.95), photos by Tony Wooliscroft, features never-before-seen photos snapped by a friend of the band.

ANOVA/PAVILION

(dist. by Trafalgar Square/IPG)

The Beatles: On Camera, Off Guard, 1963–69 (Nov., $40) by Mark Hayward provides insights into the private lives of the bandmates; includes 200 images.

BLACK DOG & LEVENTHAL

(dist. by Workman)

Sesame Street, a Celebration: 40 Years of Life on the Street (Nov., $40) by Louise Gikow offers an oversized, lavishly illustrated tribute to the iconic TV show. 65,000 first printing. $65,000 ad/promo.

CARLTON

(dist. by Sterling)

The Treasures of Mozart (Oct., $50) by John Irving. This slipcased book-and-CD set demonstrates his musical brilliance.

COLLINS & BROWN

(dist. by Sterling)

Classic Album Covers of the 60s (Sept., $19.95) by Storm Thorgerson collects more than 200 examples of the best and worst.

COLLINSDESIGN

The Some Like It Hot Companion (Sept., $35) by Laurence Maslon marks the 50th anniversary of the classic film starring Marilyn Monroe.

Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful (Nov., $30) by Bon Jovi, released in conjunction with a documentary, gives readers unprecedented access to the band's 2008 Lost Highway tour.

CORNELL UNIV. PRESS

On the Irish Waterfront: The Crusader, the Movie, and the Soul of the Port of New York (Oct., $35) by James T. Fisher investigates the real story behind Elia Kazan's 1954 film.

DA CAPO PRESS

The List: Rosanne Cash's Search for Legacy and the Spirit of Southern Music (Oct., $24) by Michael Streissguth surveys the making of her next album, based on a list of country songs compiled by her father, Johnny Cash. 50,000 first printing.

DAMIANI

(dist. by D.A.P.)

Patti Smith: Simply a Concert (Oct., $40) captures the rock legend in 70 black-and-white portraits taken during her concerts from the 1990s to the present.

FABER AND FABER

The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History (Oct., $27) by John Ortved looks at one of the most successful TV shows ever. 60,000 first printing.

FULCRUM/SPECK PRESS

(dist. by Consortium)

The Tattooed Lady: A History (Nov., $27) by Amelia Klem Osterud uncovers true stories behind tattooed women who performed on carnival stages.

HARPERCOLLINS/IT! BOOKS

Led Zeppelin (Oct., $50) by Charles R. Cross coincides with the 40th anniversary of the band's first album; includes some 20 interactive features.

INSIGHT EDITIONS

(dist. by PGW)

Clint Eastwood: Icon (Sept., $39.95) by David Frangioni collects film art and memorabilia.

The Art of Planet 51 (Nov., $39.95) by Danny Graydon. Planet 51 inhabitants are terrified when an Earth astronaut lands in someone's yard in this behind-the scenes look at the movie, a reverse alien invasion story.

HAL LEONARD/AMADEUS PRESS

Life in Opera: Truth, Tempo, and Soul—Encounters with Stars, Innovators, and Leaders of Today's Opera World (Oct., $27.99) by Maria-Christina Necula. Interviews with the personalities who have shaped the art.

HAL LEONARD/APPLAUSE BOOKS

Forbidden Broadway: Behind the Mylar Curtain (Oct., $24.99) by Gerard Alessandrini with Michael Portantiere presents a “mockument” of the long-running revue.

HAL LEONARD/BACKBEAT BOOKS

And Party Every Day: The Inside Story of Casablanca Records (Oct., $24.99) by Larry Harris et al. casts a gimlet eye on the excess and insanity.

NATION BOOKS

(dist. by Perseus)

A Heartbeat and a Guitar: Johnny Cash and the Making of Bitter Tears (Nov., $26.95) by Antonino D'Ambrosio recounts the making of Cash's most controversial album.

QUIRK BOOKS

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation—The Interactive Mystery (Oct., $24.95) by Sam Stall invites readers to solve a crime along with the TV drama's team.

RUNNING PRESS

The Batman Vault (Oct., $49.95) by Robert Greenberger and Matthew K. Manning collects memorabilia focusing exclusively on the Dark Knight.

SCARECROW PRESS

Errol Flynn: The True Adventures of a Real-Life Rogue (Sept., $35) by Lincoln Douglas Hurst looks at the swashbuckler who gained notoriety for reckless behavior.

UNIV. OF ILLINOIS PRESS

King of the Queen City: The Story of King Records (Oct., $29.95) by Jon Hartey Fox provides a history of the independent company whose artists included James Brown and Ike Turner.

UNIV. OF NORTH CAROLINA PRESS

Give My Poor Heart Ease: Voices of the Mississippi Blues (Nov., $35) by William Ferris documents the voices of African-Americans in the 1960s and 1970s, as they performed and considered the roots of the blues.

UNIV. PRESS OF MISSISSIPPI

Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios (Feb., $50) by Roben Jones traces the history of the recording studio and its impact on rhythm and blues.

VOYAGEUR PRESS

The Velvet Underground: An Illustrated History of a Walk on the Wild Side (Sept., $30) by Jim DeRogatis takes a behind-the-scenes look at the late '60s musical icons.

Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock (Nov., $40) by Phil Sutcliffe presents a detailed account of the royal rockers.

WHITE STAR

(dist. by Rizzoli)

John Lennon: In His Life (Nov., $35) by John Blaney, photos by Valeria Manferto de Fabianis, depicts key moments in the artist's life and career.