A Spine-chilling ABC Book

Stop the Violence. I don't mean to be flip, but I cannot recall ever seeing a more dramatic and telling alphabet book with a message so on target. Yes, it kills. With Francois Robert's compelling photographs of human skeletal bones arranged in 26 letters of the alphabet, and Rick Valicenti/3st's keen art direction of typography, and use of solid blacks, whites and intense reds—the message to stop gun violence hits you smack over the head. Thirst's founder, Valicenti also had the great notion to juxtapose each of the beautiful letterforms with the transcript of President Obama's 2009 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech where he spoke of war and of peace. Classic Color, the printer/publisher of this stunning book which was first released in 2011, also deserves high praise for their beautiful solids and photo reproductions. And get a load of that spine—the book's mind you. This book is a riveting and remarkable achievement all around.

The same day the exhibition first opened in Tucson AZ, six people were tragically killed there by a madman's gunfire, and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was seriously injured.
     Stop the Violence is currently out of print, but you can register on 3st's mailing list to receive updates about a potential future printing. Below is a trailer for the book.