Most Popular Books by Editors of Life

On the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln''s assassination, the editors of LIFE bring readers everything that has been left to us from the life of one of history''s most iconic figures. His pictures, actions, words in his speeches and his private letters are analyzed and pointed inward toward the person, to help us understand the man: the heart and soul of the man. This book is about the artifacts that are left us all these years later (letters, speeches and particularly pictures) — things that LIFE can show that allow us to know this man more intimately. And so we, with help from experts and several famous commentators, will show them in our pages, and lead the reader to the clues about Lincoln''s essence. Includes chapters such as: "Lincoln Pictured," an introduction by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. A narrative by Allen C. Guelzo, explaining the man and his image — how the image reflects the true man "Who Was Mathew Brady?" — the famous photographer, his life and times, his truths and deceptions (before and after shots from the Gettysburg battlefield, detailing how he moved things around — even bodies — for dramatic impact) The words of Lincoln, in an artifact presentation with removable letters and speeches on archival paper that bring the reader back to the times "The Camera and the White House" — A fascinating chapter on American Presidents and their visual image — Thomas McAvoy''s secret snaps of FDR, FDR hiding his legs, JFK''s manipulation of photography taken of him, etc. The "book within a book" — the likes of David McCullough, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Richard Norton Smith, Walter Isaacson, Jon Meachem, Macklemore, Brad Pitt, Maya Angelou, Zadie Smith, Gay Talese, Tom Wolf and more in answer to the question "When you see Lincoln''s face, what do you see?"

LIFE Magazine presents Legendary Women of the Bible.

Fifty years ago on November 22, 1963, in Dallas''s Dealey Plaza, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated while traveling in a motorcade with his wife, Jacqueline. LIFE magazine, the weekly pictorial chronicle of events in America and throughout the world, was quickly on the scene. The Kennedys had been our story: Jack and Jackie made the cover in his sailboat before they were married and he was a fresh-faced senator from Massachusetts, and the White House doors had remained open to LIFE throughout his presidency: Cecil Stoughton''s photographs of Caroline and John-John in the Oval Office, Jackie''s tour of the renovation, tense behind-the-scenes moments during 13 days of the Cuban Missile Crisis — all of this appeared in LIFE. We needed to be in Dallas. The famous Zapruder film first appeared in LIFE, after being acquired by LIFE''s Richard B. Stolley. Stolley also interviewed at the time Dallas police, Kennedy administration officials, members of the Oswald family, workers at Jack Ruby''s bar. Jackie''s first conversation after the murder was with Theodore H. White for LIFE, and in it she told the American people, for the first time, about the Camelot her late husband had imagined. All of that is revisited in this commemorative book, including: All 486 frames of the Zapruder film in print for the first time An essay by Richard B. Stolley on how he exclusively obtained the iconic film for LIFE An essay by Abraham Zapruder''s granddaughter, Alexandra, who writes for the first time about how the film affected her family over the generations Personal stories about where they were when they heard the news from Barbra Streisand, Maya Angelou, Jimmy Carter, Tony Bennett, Willie Mays, Sergei Khrushchev, James Earl Jones, John Boehner, Tom Brokaw, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Alec Baldwin, Bill O''Reilly, Dan Rather and many more Rarely seen photos from the TIME/LIFE archive of Allan Grant''s photo essay of the Oswald family on the night of the assassination A foreword featuring a conversation with historian David McCullough A full reprint of LIFE''s 1963 issue covering the tragic events in Dallas LIFE''s Theodore H. White''s famous "Camelot" interview with Jackie (which she gave shortly after the assassination), as well as the story behind the interview and the words that never ran A new essay on 50 years of conspiracy theories by J.I. Baker, author of The Empty Glass The Kennedys: A LIFE story for more than 50 years, and still today.

Here is a book that will surely spark a lively debate. Who are the hundred most influential religious and political leaders, artists, scientists, and adventurers of all time? How is it even possible to construct such a list? Now, the editors of LIFE comb history, compare notes and dive in. Find out who makes the cut: King Tut or Cleopatra? Thomas Jefferson or George Washington; The Rolling Stones or The Beatles; Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. This is a look at history told through its most charismatic and fascinating characters. It is also full of fun facts, tidbits, arguments and rarely seen pictures, and will appeal to curious minds, young and old alike.

LIFE Magazine remembers Nirvana''s Kurt Cobain.

Disney World is often referred to as the "happiest place on earth" and the character Mickey Mouse is long ingrained in our collective memory. The Walt Disney Company is one of the largest and most valuable companies in the world. But behind all of that was one ambitious small-town farm boy who failed as often as he succeeded, and finally found worldwide fame - thanks to a cartoon mouse. Throughout the rise of Walt Disney, LIFE magazine was there, covering everything from the first Mickey merchandising to the launch of Walt Disney World in 1971, and now in this all-new special edition, LIFE revisits both the man and the magic in LIFE Walt Disney: From Mickey to the Magic Kingdom. Very few people know that as a young entrepreneur, he struggled with bankruptcy, borrowing money until he had a hit with the Mickey Mouse cartoons in the late 1920s. Beloved movies of today - Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi - bombed when first released, and it wasn''t until the astronomical success of Disneyland in 1951 that finally put his company into the black. From early days to troubled times, and successes and failures too numerous to count that bring us all to the World of Disney that we all know and love today, LIFE Walt Disney is a fitting tribute to a creative force that has and will continue to influence countless generations for years to come.

The Editors of LIFE Magazine present LIFE Michelle Obama.

For decades Americans have turned to LIFE to see, understand, and remember the most important events and people of our time. Just as LIFE once opened up the glittering Kennedy White House, LIFE now focuses its lens on Barack Obama. The American Journey of Barack Obama covers the candidate from his childhood and adolescence to his time as editor of The Harvard Law Review and his Chicago activist years, culminating with the excitement and fervor of the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention. The unfolding drama of Obama''s life and political career is cinematic in scope, and never has it been presented so compellingly. In addition to a powerful array of photographs that were taken by many of the country''s greatest photographers (and some that were snapped, in the quiet moments, by Obama family members themselves), this book also includes a Foreword by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, an incisive narrative biography and original essays by some of our finest writers, including Gay Talese, Charles Johnson, Melissa Fay Greene, Andrei Codrescu, Fay Weldon, Richard Norton Smith, Bob Greene and several others. Many readers will find a new understanding of Obama. All readers will feel that they are bearing witness to a singular, undeniably American story.

America''s natural and social history are featured.

LIFE Magazine memorializes actor James Dean.

LIFE celebrates Walt Disney''s most iconic creation with this special commemorative edition, Mickey Mouse at 90.

In 1942, a young girl named Anne Frank was given a diary as a 13th birthday present. In it, she recorded her thoughts and experiences as her family-German Jews living in Amsterdam-went into hiding to attempt to escape the Nazi regime. They were finally found out and did not survive to the end of the war, but the subsequent publication of Anne''s moving, mature and often beautiful diary made her into one of the most significant chroniclers of the Holocaust. The diary has been translated into 70 languages, with 25 million copies sold, and the lessons of Anne Frank''s life continue to be learned anew every day. Includes: How Adolf Hitler came to power-and how the Frank family realized they would have to go into hiding The experiences that convinced Anne Frank she was meant to be a writer What happened to Anne and her family after they were discovered The world''s response to the publication of Anne''s diary in 1947 and the impact it has had in the seven decades since Plus: An introduction by President Bill Clinton

The editors of LIFE Magazine present Aladdin.

Take an otherworldly world tour of horrifying haunts! This Halloween, visit haunted houses, creepy cemeteries, scary ghost towns, and shocking paranormal hotspots . . . all without leaving the comfort of your own well-lit home.

The Editors of LIFE Magazine present LIFEQueen: The Music. The Life. The Rhapsody.

For Muhammad Ali, the high drama that he generated within the boxing ring with his athletic prowess was more than matched by the drama that he generated outside of it, and it was stated by many that as the 20th century closed, he was the best known and the most beloved figure in the world. He was also the rare athlete of his day who was photographed equally inside and outside of the ring, and always, the images were striking and compelling. Now, in an all-new special edition, LIFE celebrates the legendary athlete and cultural icon in Ali: A Life in Pictures, featuring dozens of photographs from acclaimed photographers including Gordon Parks, Harry Benson, Marvin Lichtner, James Drake, The Bettman Archive and many more. Many of these images have come to be as synonymous with Ali as his best quotes, and many of these images have not been seen for years. All of the photos are accompanied by essays and commentary that take readers through four distinct stages of Ali''s life - "Clay," "Ali," "Legend," and "The Greatest," and all together, Ali: A Life in Pictures is the ultimate commemorative keepsake that celebrates an icon in both words and photographs.

LIFE goes upstairs, downstairs, and into every fascinating historical nook and cranny of America''s favorite British TV mansion-and Highclere Castle, the storied 17th century stately home where the series is filmed. Magnificent photography and gripping stories make this a must-have read for the show''s millions of fans. Find out more about: The illegitimate daughter of a Rothschild whose marriage to the Fifth Earl of Carnarvon kept Highclere in the family. Highclere''s connection to the discovery of Tutankhamun''s tomb, the sudden death of an Earl, and the first rumors of a famous curse. World War I, as it was depicted in Downton Abbey-and as it really unfolded on the home front.

Moses-the man, the myth, and the mystery As a story of hope and liberation, the Exodus has influenced people and religions all over the world-including our American forefathers. But who was the prophet of the Israelites who led God''s chosen people from slavery to freedom? Discover in this new Special Edition, LIFE Moses: How His Teachings Shaped the World. What of the many miracles that were attributed to him? Did they actually occur, and if so, how? Were they freak occurrences of nature or God''s divine intervention? Moses addresses all of these question and more. Filled with distinctive art from throughout history and glowing photographs of the many sites as they are today, Moses examines his journey and the Exodus through the eyes of the editors of LIFE. In the tradition of Walking the Bible, LIFE Moses combines the latest archaeological research with words of scripture to provide you with a nuanced portrait of that time. Discover the man, the myth, the mystery-and an inspiration-in Moses.

From the editors who have previously brought forth bestselling illustrated biographies on the Beatles as a group and John Lennon in particular, now comes Remembering George Harrison: 10 Years Later. He was the quiet Beatle only in that he was standing alongside two louder-than-life characters and in front of a guy playing drums. He held many strong opinions — on Beatlemania, on global want, on his right to privacy, on his God — and gave firm voice to most of them. But George Harrison was certainly the most reluctant Beatle, wanting out almost as soon as he was in. He often said that his luckiest break was joining the band and his second luckiest was leaving it. The standard line is that George Harrison was an enigma, but perhaps he was transparent: a terrific guitarist, a fine songwriter, a wonderer, a seeker and, overriding all, a celebrity who hated and feared celebrity. George Harrison died at a friend''s home in Los Angeles ten years ago, in late 2001, at age 58, losing his last battle with cancer. He was beloved, and had been for a long time. He had thrived in the aftermath of the band''s breakup, becoming a recording artist on the level of his former mates McCartney and Lennon. He became as well the Happy Mystic, leading his legion of fans — of followers — toward a more meaningful way of living. As would be expected from LIFE, it is all here in pictures — the Hamburg days, the Cavern Club, the craze that was Beatlemania, the fun movies, the psychedelic period, the solo years (replete with Harrison''s reaction to Lennon''s death, and the subsequent attack on him and his wife at his English estate). The photographers who knew George and the Beatles best — Astrid Kirchherr in Hamburg; Terence Spencer in the UK; Harry Benson in London, Paris and the U.S.; Bob Whitaker as the band''s official photographer during the halcyon years; LIFE''s John Loengard and Bill Eppridge throughout it all-are all here, as they were in our book on Lennon. This is an intimate look back, with many visual surprises. The narrative is largely written by (and the book is edited by) LIFE managing editor Robert Sullivan, who wrote TIME magazine''s cover story on George''s passing 10 years ago. One of the many marvels of the Beatles was that, although they all emerged from working-class Liverpool backgrounds, they were such distinct and fiercely individualistic personalities. None more so than George Harrison, who started well in the shadows and came to stand for something very large, and beautiful. This is his book.

LIFE Magazine presents Sesame Street for LIFE Sesame Street.

The editors of LIFE Magazine present The Grateful Dead.

Fifty years after his death, the principles and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. continue to be a guiding light for many leaders and many Americans. In a life cut far too short-he was assassinated at age 39-King left a legacy through his remarkable dedication to nonviolent protest, his clear righteousness and his powerful words.

Celebrate the Chicago Cubs'' historic 2016 World Series championship with this beautifully illustrated 96-page special edition of Life. Through a masterfully-written narrative and unforgettable images explore the long history of the Cubs and the team''s emotional intersection with America and larger cultural and political forces. And see how this year''s league-leading team lifted sports'' most enduring curse in dramatic and thrilling fashion. SPECIAL FEATURES: George F. Will on Wrigley Field, Steve Rushin on eternal Cubhood, Cait Murphy on the 1908 Cub Champions.

LIFE is where the nation first learned about TheWizard of Oz and its soon-to-be starlet Judy Garland. Seventy-five years after the debut of the classic American movie, this commemorative volume, LIFE The Wizard of Oz: 75 Years Along the Yellow Brick Road, includes rare and never-before-seen photography about the iconic film, intimate portraits of the film''s stars, and exclusive commentary from renowned contributors, including TIME movie critic Richard Corliss. This celebratory book not only covers the history of the movie, but also explores the legends, lore and the effect the movie had on the nation''s film industry and culture- The Wizard of Oz was one of the first color films created.

Americans have always been fascinated with the women who have held the title First Lady. But just who were these people, behind their official portraits? Did you know that one won an Emmy and another held regular radio addresses? LIFE takes a close look at all of these women and their legacy in a volume that''s guaranteed to delight and surprise. Highlights include Firsts, such as the first First Lady to wear pants publicly and the first to drive a car How Dolley Madison set the stage Unanswered questions: Did one First Lady poison her husband? Did another serve as unofficial commander in chief? Presidential spouses around the world and how their roles differ from the U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt''s achievements are well-known, but others quietly accomplished great things in politics

LIFE magazine presents stories of crimes of passion.

LIFE Magazine presents Mysteries of the Unknown for LIFE Mysteries of the Unknown.

The editors of LIFE Magazine present Elton John.

Explore the rise of science fiction - the land of time machines, space travel, and lost worlds - and how we became so enraptured by the mystery, wonder, and thrill of a genre. Discover the historical inspiration, creative strategy, and the behind-the-scenes scoop of classics including Star Wars, ET, Jurassic Park and Avatar in an all-new special edition from LIFE, Science Fiction: 100 Years of Great Movies. Included in this special edition is a detailed chronicle of the 20 most iconic movies that helped forge a new identity for a new genre. Through its evolution over the years - beginning in 1902 with George Méliès''s Le Voyage dans la Lune to most recent years in films such as Avatar (2009) and The Martian (2015) - Science Fiction has not only endured a changing landscape thanks to the invention of new technology, but has grown a passionate and devoted following. In this celebration of the most iconic Science Fiction films, adventure through the geniuses of Ray Bradbury, H.G. Wells, Steven Spielberg, Stephen King, and George Lucas and delve into worlds of possibility and the future.

In 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand-who was in line for the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire-propelled Europe into a war unlike any the world had ever seen. But it would take yet another remarkable series of events for the United States to decide to enter the fray, a century ago in April of 1917. By the time the armistice arrived the following year, empires had fallen and 15 million combatants lay dead. And for the United States, the consequences of the decision to get involved would reverberate throughout would come to be known as the American Century, and still echo today. Includes: How the actions of teenage Bosnian nationalists set the war in motion-and why European leaders could not (or would not) stop it The birth of modern warfare and the brutal results that came with poison gas, airplanes and tanks American leaders facing a future in which isolation is no longer an option How the underprepared U.S. military helped put an end to years of war-and emerged one of the world''s great fighting forces Plus: the Versailles Treaty and the League of Nations and how they failed to avert an even more cataclysmic war two decades later

The editors of LIFE Magazine present The Godfather.

LIFE Magazine presents Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid at 50.

LIFE celebrates Harper Lee, author of one of the most beloved works of American fiction. When HarperCollins published To Kill a Mockingbird in 1960, it quickly became a runaway bestseller-and its author, Harper Lee, an overnight literary celebrity. In this special edition, LIFE delves into its famous archives to present a rich, beautifully illustrated commemoration of Lee''s life and legacy. Through essays, photographs and archival materials, LIFE revisits To Kill a Mockingbird and helps us understand its magic, exploring how the coming-of-age story of a tomboy in a small Southern town became an enduring touchstone of our cultural consciousness. This collectable volume features photographs from LIFE''s 1961 profile of Lee, taken in her hometown of Monroeville, Ala., where she lived until her death in 2016. These indelible images-some reproduced here for the first time-reveal an intimate portrait of the famously shy author, showing her with her father at their childhood home and in the local courtroom that inspired the setting for the trial in Mockingbird.The book also goes behind the scenes of the Oscar Award-winning film adaptation that starred Gregory Peck in his legendary role as Atticus Finch. Mockingbird''s transformation from an explosively popular novel into a classic Hollywood film is captured here in LIFE''s photographs from the set, film stills, and anecdotes from those close to the project. Lee''s story would not be complete without an exploration of the long-awaited sequel, Go Set a Watchman. TIME''s arts critic Daniel D''Addario reviews the novel-published from a manuscript long thought to be lost-that set the literary world aflame in 2015. Throughout, LIFE''s special edition incorporates reproductions of unique ephemera, including Peck''s original film script with his handwritten annotations.

Bobby Zimmerman pilgrimaged to New York City''s Greenwich Village just over a half century ago, seeking to visit his muse Woody Guthrie in the hospital and to launch a music career. He did both, and his first, eponymous album was released precisely 50 years ago. The rest is legend: Dylan the folk hero, Dylan going electric, Dylan and the Band, Dylan and the American ethos. Today, he stands as an always-touring icon. A national institution. It''s time to celebrate the remarkable life of Bobby Zimmerman of Hibbing, Minnesota. A life in pictures, including shots from those who know him intimately, and knew him in the reclusive years in Woodstock, like Eliot Landy and Bob Cato . LIFE''s original coverage of Dylan, Joan Baez and the downtown scene of the early 1960s . Excerpts from Dylan interviews through the years that make the story come alive, and get to the heart of this enigmatic man.

They weren''t the original bad boys — Humphrey Bogart''s Rat Pack of nocturnal revelers came before Frank Sinatra''s — but they were the famous ones: Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford and a host of hangers-on and wannabes, male and female. In Las Vegas, a city that really did never sleep, and in Hollywood, where they teamed up in matinee movies highlighted by the original Ocean''s Eleven, they cut quite a swath through the ''60s: a martini-fueled "adult" answer to the Beatles and all else that was happening. LIFE was there to document all of the fun and frolic. John Dominis was sent out on the Sinatra beat, and grew to know and appreciate the singer, an avocational photographer who eventually allowed Dominis into his world — the world of the Rat Pack. Dominis''s hundreds of images are, today, something of an historical or sociological document. So many stars from so many spheres were at table with the core of "the clan" (as the boys actually called themselves): Shirley MacLaine, Jackie Gleason, Bing Crosby, President Kennedy, maybe the mob. They are all in this book, as are other Rat Pack intrigues: Sinatra expelling Lawford or Davis for perceived slights, the raucous hotel parties at the Sands and elsewhere. The sixties were swinging indeed when the Rat Pack was in town. In this volume, the Pack is back.

Celebrate man''s best friend in this collector''s edition, LIFE Dogs: Why We Need Them. Why They Need Us.

Let''s talk about Mary. Not everyone needs a brother or sister or savior, or accepts that a savior has arrived historically or will do so one day. But everyone once had a mother. We all need the mother figure, and if any confirmation of this basic fact is required, it lies in the great respect shown "Mary" or "Miriam" by other religions. Jesus does not necessarily figure as a vessel of salvation for Muslims and Jews, but He is held in high regard, and the young woman who gave birth to Him and raised Him is praised. Whoever she was, she must have been substantial, smart and strong. She must have been a fine mother.