The 1939-1940 New York World's Fair (Five Stars)

This is a fascinating look at the 1939 World's Fair, a fair which saw both the hopes of many for a peaceful future based on scientific and technological progress and the opening rounds of the Second World War, with many pavilions closing or operating with their flags at half mast as the totalitarian regimes began their march of conquest. Probably the most famous of the world fairs, the 1939 has some of the most memorable imagery and indeed a lot of the material associated with the fair is highly collectible today. The USSR had a pavilion, as did the Belgium Congo and one that celebrated Italy's fascist regime. Trains and planes were celebrated as harbingers of progress and parachute rides let those daring enough to go up see the fair from high up. It could have used some more concept shots or photos which established the overall look of the pavilions but virtually all of the photos were first rate. A great book by itself or for background on other material about the 1939 World's Fair or the 1930s.