One day, I received a request to help promote a new book on Palm Springs. We all know there are many books on Palm Springs in print, but I was not about to start now promoting things I hadn’t experienced or seen in person.
I started Palm Springs Insider Guide because I wanted a place where people could go, knowing I was writing from my own experience and being truthful. Thus, I sent a note to Assouline Publishing and told them I would need to see the book first.
Palm Springs Book by Assouline Arrived
I had forgotten our conversation, so when what appeared to be a book was delivered to my door, I was mystified. The package weighed a bunch. Opening it up, I smiled. This book, about 1 ½ inches thick, was a coffee table book with Palm Springs written over the cover.
Now, I was curious to learn more about the publisher and author of the book.
Assouline Publishing
It all began with a visit to the La Colombe d’Or Hotel in France in 1993. Prosper and Martine Assouline stayed at this enchanting location. As they wandered the grounds, they marveled at the landscape. Then, finding nooks to enjoy their love of books, an idea came to them. What if we create beautiful books and tell stories of places?
· They went into action. Prosper took the photos, and Martine created the text—their first book published in 1994.
· In 1996, they published Memoir Collection, a compilation of influential people, art movements, fashion, beauty, food, and architecture.
· In 2003, Bergdorf Goodman devoted an entire window on their 5th Avenue to store Assouline Books.
· In 2006, the first Assouline stand-alone store opened in Paris.
· In 2017, they introduced a travel series (Palm Springs Book is part of that series)
· A 2019 partnership with One Tree was developed to plant one tree for each book sold.
Sheila Hamilton is the author—and 5 Emmy Award Winner. She wrote All the Things We Didn’t Know. Plus, she is a speaker on resilience and mental strength for the prestigious APB International Speaker’s Bureau.
What I observed looking through Palm Springs Assouline Coffee Table Book
Opening the cover, I smiled when I saw the colorful, whimsical drawings depicting Coachella Valley attractions scattered on the back of the hardcover and the fly page. One quickly gets the impression that this book will be fun to explore.
Let’s get the negative out of the way first. I don't like the font used in the
periodic narrative or the quotes scattered throughout the book. While it is large enough and on a white background, which we mature individuals appreciate, the text and wide spacing between the letters makes one wonder if they chose it to fill the page.
Of course, what do I know? This is a well-established publishing company, so they have their reason. I don’t happen to like it.
Photos in the Palm Springs Assouline book
It is evident that the author dug deep to find some of the historical photos in the book. Often, the historical images are juxtaposed next to a current photo. Sometimes, the photo takes up two-facing pages. Some pages have single images, while others have two images, for example, showing a home's interior.
The author obviously transversed our valley to illustrate a true representation of Coachella Valley, recognizing that we have nine cities. Even Salton Sea’s Salvation Mountain found its way into the book. However, most of the photos are of Palm Springs proper.
Since I have often been involved in Western events held in the area and am honored to get first-hand information about that period of our history, I was pleased to see the author include our Western heritage on the pages.
The colors are vivid, and the perspectives of some of our well-known buildings and attractions are interesting. The photographer used some angles that made one notice details previously missed.
I was a bit frustrated at first, I thought to myself, but most people going through the book will not know what this picture is portraying. Then I discovered that at the back of the book, there is a key, with a miniature of the picture and a brief description of the photo.
Narrative in Palm Spring Assouline Book
Sheila Hamilton's, the author’s, descriptive writing style captures the carefree feeling we residents pride ourselves on experiencing each day. She mentions that we are both a time capsule and a modern city. It is evident she has spent time here, for she mentions everything from our beautiful cloudless sky to fruit trees to cacti finding their homes in front of our residents.
As you turn the pages, random quotes show up. Here are some examples:
There’s this sort of weirdness and wackiness about Palm Springs that makes it work.
Douglas Smith, proprietor of the Korakia Pensione
After all my years of traveling the world and seeing what this area is all about, I’ve come to realize that you can’t find another place quite like it.
Jenson Button, former Formula 1 Driver
What’s special about Palm Springs is that it’s a place where both the extraordinary and the ordinary occur simultaneously.
Jon Hamm of Mad Man
This Palm Springs Coffee Table book is a terrific gift—especially for those who appreciate and love Palm Springs like this writer. You can pick up a copy at Just Fabulous on North Palm Canyon Drive, Amazon, or the Assouline Website.
Yes, Palm Springs, California, is a special place. It is hard to put into words, but Sheila Hamilton helped figure out how to display it in photos.
The quote on the back of the book:
It's where the sun spends its winter.
Bob Hope
Kathy Condon is a Travel Journalist and award-winning author. Her niche is luxury experiences and communities living in the shadows of large cities. 760-902-3094
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