Books

Books & More

Images courtesy of Amazon.com

Below are listed just a few of the books that address the topics of pin-up art, the artists, and the models. This is by no means a complete list, but it may help you on your way to finding out more.
* Not all of the titles contain good-quality or accurate information. A short description is provided for each title. Simply click on the link to read Amazon.com reviews or to purchase the book.

General:

Bombshells: Glamour Girls of a Lifetime by Steve Sullivan
This is one of the few books that actually has some biographical information about the models rather than just pretty pictures. It offers information about some lesser known models.
For the Boys: The Racy Pin-Ups of WWII by Max Allan Collins
This title contains some great images and offers some information about the role of the pin-up in keeping up morale during the 40s in WWII.
The Great American Pin-Up by Charles Martignette
This book is a good overview of pin-up art and artists. This is good for anyone who wants to know a little more about the role of pin-up artwork in U.S. history.
1,000 Pin-Up Girls by Harald Hellmann
This book containts images from the covers of "girlie magazines" like Beauty Parade, Eyeful, Titter, Wink, Whisper and Flirt; the images date back mostly between 1942-1958.
The Psychotronic Video Guide to Film by Michael Weldon
This is a good resource of information about all those B-movies out there featuring pin-up models.

Model Specific:

Bettie Page: The Life of a Pin-Up Legend by Karen Essex
This seems to be the best resource for images (over 500 photos!) and information about the life and career of Bettie Page (who, by the way, does endorse it). It is perhaps the only source that actually includes an introduction written by Page.
Bettie Page Confidential by Stan Corwin Productions
Although it offers lots of photos by her friend Bunny Yaeger, this book is not endorsed by Bettie Page. This could be because it includes inaccurate biographical data. Avoid this one.
The Real Bettie Page: The Truth About the Queen of the Pinups by Richard Foster
Much of the information here may not be accurate. This book supposedly reveals the years Bettie Page does not want to remember, but seems to be nothing more than a muckraking tabloid. Avoid this one, too.
Jayne Mansfield and the American Fifties by Martha Saxton
This is a great book if you want to know about the life, career and accomplishments of a woman everyone likes to dismissively refer to as “a blond bombshell”.
Playing the Field: My Story by Mamie Van Doren
If you want to learn about the long life, loves, and career of Mamie Van Doren, there's no better place to find it than in her own memoir.
TVs Sheena Irish McCalla by Bill Black and Bill Feret
This book features lots of biographical information about McCalla mixed with some entertaining stories about her career as a type-cast jungle woman.

Artist Specific:

Alberto Vargas: The Esquire Years by Michael Goldberg
This is a great resource for images and information about Alberto Vargas.
“The Vargas Girl's patriotic contributions during WWII were recognized around the world. From pin-up calendars to amateur nose art, Vargas was virtually everywhere.”
American Geisha: The Art of Olivia by Olivia de Berardinis
This is a great selection of images by a talented female contemporary pin-up artist.
Bunny Yeager's Pin-Up Girls of the 1950s by Bunny Yeager
If you're interested in Bunny Yeager's talent behind the lens, you should check this title out; it offers a great representation of her work and her style.
The Pin-Up Art of Archie Dickens Volume 1 by Archie Dickens
If you're looking for a great coffee table book, this is it. This book is packed with images and offers some information about the life of Dickens.
Pin-Up Dreams: The Glamour Art of Rolf Armstrong by Janet Dobson
This is a great source for biographical information about Rolf Armstrong, along with plenty of his artwork.

Databases/Scholarly Articles:

GENDERWATCH -- This database provides access to articles pertaining to women’s studies and gender studies. Check out these articles:
- Journal of Women's History (10/31/1997 V.8; N.3 p. 9): “Women, Cheesecake, and Borderline Material: Responses to Girlie Pictures in the Mid-Twentieth-Century U.S.” by Joanne Meyerowitz.
- Herizons (4/30/2001 V.14; N.4 p. 44) “The Guest Room: Fishnet Feminism” by Carolyn Williams.
- Off Our Backs (4/30/1983 V.13; N.4 p. 4) “Outrage Against Pornography” by Rosie Snowden.
- Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal (3/31/1998 V.7;N.1 p. 236) “The Swimsuit Issue and Sport: Hegemonic Masculinity in Sports Illustrated” by Margaret Carlisle Duncan.
ART INDEX – This database includes articles from periodicals devoted to art and architecture. Check out these articles:
- Art On Paper (v. 6 no5 (May/June 2002) p. 89) “From goddess to pin-ups: icons of femininity in Indian calendar art. IndoCenter of Art and Culture, New York.” by Amy Jean Porter.
- American Photo (v. 4 (Nov./Dec. '93) p. 44-5+) “The Business of Betty” by Stephen Fenichell.
- American Photo (v. 4 (Mar./Apr. 1993) p. 41-2) “That Vargas Vamp” by Michael Kaplan.

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