Sock Monkeys: (200 out of 1,863) [Paperback]

Ron Warren (Editor), Arne Svenson (Photographer), Simon Doonan (Contributor), Jonathan Safran Foer (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2002

In 1985 Ron Warren began collecting sock monkeys--those icons of American thrift and inventiveness that for generations have been hand-stitched from a pair of red-heel work socks. Years later he met photographer Arne Svenson (author of the recent popular volume Chewed) who, intrigued by the obsessive nature and growing size of the collection, began with equal obsession to document individually its more than 1,800 examples. To convey the distinct personality imbued in each monkey by its maker, Svenson photographs them in the manner of classical black-and-white portraiture: flatteringly lit, cropped at the shoulders, eyes to the camera. The first 200 of these sock monkey portraits, reproduced larger than life as full-page duotones, are assembled in this book. Invited contributors, including novelists Jonathan Safran Foer, Neil Gaiman and Dale Peck; entertainers Penn & Teller; and fashion commentators Simon Doonan and Isaac Mizrahi, have interjected short stories inspired by the subject of their favorite sock monkey photograph. The result is an engaging, humorous and at times disturbing reanimation of creatures long relegated to the attic or the back of the closet.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ideal World Books (December 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972211128
• ISBN-13: 978-0972211123
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charmed by old socks, March 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sock Monkeys: (200 out of 1,863) (Paperback)

Sock Monkeys is a charming way to spend an hour or two. The book shows you why the authors fell in love with them. I defy anyone not to experince a covetuous pang while reading this book. The essays are as various as the pictures, elegant, sad, clapped out and the old fashioned heartbreaker. I'm sorry I didn't buy two copies. Now I'll have to spring for another shipping charge so I can have a copy on hand to give to a friend in need of a shot of delight.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars love it! but i don't know what the other two are talking..., October 13, 2003

By 

Christopher "and that's the way the cookie cr... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sock Monkeys: (200 out of 1,863) (Paperback)

about... there isn't much to read in this book, it is just pictures of sock monkeys and a few page silly stories... but i love the pictures. a great great quirky coffee table book! i am gonna buy more so i can give em to friends.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sock Monkey Love, January 4, 2007

By 

Holly Becker "decor8blog DOT com" (Boston, MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sock Monkeys: (200 out of 1,863) (Paperback)

When this book arrived, it was perfect timing. Sick at home, I couldn't have asked for a better pick-me-up when UPS arrived with my Sock Monkey book.

Although I was hoping the photos showed the monkeys in various poses vs. portraits, the portraits are all so cute that it made up for my disappointment. (I'd love to see the author shoot them in various situations.)

The text is cute, and the photography is top notch.

If you're a sock monkey fan, this is a must have for your library. Makes a great coffee table book too - especially since it looks very hip (not childish).

Show a little sock monkey love and pick up a copy!