In a perfectly balanced world, a graphic design theorist would geek out over this title while listening to Miles Davis' "Birth of the Cool."

"To diagnose and prescribe the right treatment, one needs experience and a knowledge of the anatomy of a book."

"Whatever the party -- wherever the place, whoever the guests -- I can truthfully say I have yet to give a dull one."

Swatches of polyester textiles add a thrilling tactile dimension to the book-artifact. (Nice colours, too.)

The burden of history? How about a single volume the weight of a brick, containing over 2500 solemn portrait photos of long-dead Canadian white men with mustaches.