mainliner
11-01-2004, 10:02 PM
http://www.dailyherald.com/search/main_story.asp?intID=3828799
World's largest published book is a visual odyssey of its own
By Harry Hitzeman Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted 10/27/2004
Renee Keilman remembers when the huge FedEx box arrived.
The lunchroom tables at the West Chicago Public Library had been moved out of the way, and staffers struggled to get the box through the front door.
The buzz among the staff was contagious that September day and has only grown louder.
"People kept coming to me throughout the day. 'Where's the book? Where's the book?' " said Keilman, the youth services assistant.
Inside the box was "Bhutan: A Visual Odyssey Across the Last Himalayan Kingdom," about the small country nestled between China and India.
At 133 pounds, 5 feet tall and 7 feet wide when opened, and containing enough paper to cover a football field, "Bhutan" is the world's largest published book, according to the "Guinness Book of World Records."
Library employees had to wait weeks to see the latest donation to the library. The curious will have their chance at noon Sunday when the tome will be dedicated at the library.
"We're very excited. We can't wait," adult services librarian Joy McFadden said. "The book is beautiful. It's really stunning to see."
Certified by Guinness last December, the book was the idea of Michael Hawley, an MIT professor who collaborated with nine photographers and illustrators.
Hawley's father, George, is a West Chicago native and donated the book because he wanted to give back to his hometown.
The elder Hawley, who now lives in California, couldn't be reached for comment, but he recently offered a review on Amazon.com.
"Not only is this book a spectacle because of its size (it takes three strong people to set it up on its stand), but it is also a work of great beauty showing the people of Bhutan and their country in larger-than-life-size and vivid colors," George Hawley wrote.
"It has been like having a changeable work of art in the house," he continued. "Each day we open the book to a different page, presenting us with a dynamic visual experience."
The Hawleys are scheduled to be on hand for Sunday's reception, which also will highlight Bhutanese culture.
The volume has been locked in a storage room since its arrival. Library officials say it will be for display only. They declined to show the book or allow it to be photographed ahead of the ceremony.
"Bhutan" is not for sale at local stores. But for those who make a $10,000 donation to the not-for-profit group Friendly Planet, the book will be produced in one to two months. The charity raises money for poor schools in underdeveloped countries.
Only 500 copies will be printed and about 75 have been completed.
Keilman said the volume presents a different experience for library patrons, especially since the West Chicago library is the only location in Illinois to have a copy.
"It's a unique opportunity to talk about a tiny little country that most people have never heard of," she said. Largest: No, you can't borrow the big book
And here it is
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0974246905/qid=1099364543/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-3379880-3510553?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
World's largest published book is a visual odyssey of its own
By Harry Hitzeman Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted 10/27/2004
Renee Keilman remembers when the huge FedEx box arrived.
The lunchroom tables at the West Chicago Public Library had been moved out of the way, and staffers struggled to get the box through the front door.
The buzz among the staff was contagious that September day and has only grown louder.
"People kept coming to me throughout the day. 'Where's the book? Where's the book?' " said Keilman, the youth services assistant.
Inside the box was "Bhutan: A Visual Odyssey Across the Last Himalayan Kingdom," about the small country nestled between China and India.
At 133 pounds, 5 feet tall and 7 feet wide when opened, and containing enough paper to cover a football field, "Bhutan" is the world's largest published book, according to the "Guinness Book of World Records."
Library employees had to wait weeks to see the latest donation to the library. The curious will have their chance at noon Sunday when the tome will be dedicated at the library.
"We're very excited. We can't wait," adult services librarian Joy McFadden said. "The book is beautiful. It's really stunning to see."
Certified by Guinness last December, the book was the idea of Michael Hawley, an MIT professor who collaborated with nine photographers and illustrators.
Hawley's father, George, is a West Chicago native and donated the book because he wanted to give back to his hometown.
The elder Hawley, who now lives in California, couldn't be reached for comment, but he recently offered a review on Amazon.com.
"Not only is this book a spectacle because of its size (it takes three strong people to set it up on its stand), but it is also a work of great beauty showing the people of Bhutan and their country in larger-than-life-size and vivid colors," George Hawley wrote.
"It has been like having a changeable work of art in the house," he continued. "Each day we open the book to a different page, presenting us with a dynamic visual experience."
The Hawleys are scheduled to be on hand for Sunday's reception, which also will highlight Bhutanese culture.
The volume has been locked in a storage room since its arrival. Library officials say it will be for display only. They declined to show the book or allow it to be photographed ahead of the ceremony.
"Bhutan" is not for sale at local stores. But for those who make a $10,000 donation to the not-for-profit group Friendly Planet, the book will be produced in one to two months. The charity raises money for poor schools in underdeveloped countries.
Only 500 copies will be printed and about 75 have been completed.
Keilman said the volume presents a different experience for library patrons, especially since the West Chicago library is the only location in Illinois to have a copy.
"It's a unique opportunity to talk about a tiny little country that most people have never heard of," she said. Largest: No, you can't borrow the big book
And here it is
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0974246905/qid=1099364543/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-3379880-3510553?v=glance&s=books&n=507846