Retronaut: The Photographic Time Machine

Wild, an avid collector of old color photos since childhood, graciously extends an invitation into his fascinating collection of over 350 images. Opening with a now-hilarious ad for CompuServe from 1982 that presciently promises email, up-to-the-minute news sites, and online gaming, along with of shots of the dashboard of K.I.T.T., the futuristic Trans Am from the %E2%80%9880s show Knight Rider, it's clear that the tone of the collection is one of celebration and shared nostalgia rather than cold, arch hipster irony. Some of the images are made even more remarkable by accompanying anecdotes: a tin and a Bible that both saved their respective owners' lives by stopping bullets; others are fascinating for their historical context: portraits of three women who fought as men during the Civil War; and some are just plain awe-inspiring: seriously twisted valentines from the 1930s through %E2%80%9850s. The are images of the first documented emoticons via Victorian typographical art from 1881, as well as flying cars, robot bands, and the first photograph of a human. Candid shots, such as the cast of Star Trek rocking some serious leisure suits at the dedication of the space shuttle Enterprise, Katherine Hepburn skateboarding, and Boris Karloff cutting his birthday cake in full Frankenstein makeup give the book added depth and warmth. With every page comes a surprise; this terrific collection never ceases to entertain. (Sept.)