Why do some book covers grab your attention, while others never get a second glance? Teaming up with cultural critic David Alworth, former Knopf art director Peter Mendelsund considers successful cover designs in this captivating visual examination—recommended by the New York Times Book Review as one of the best coffee-table books of 2020. "We are especially interested in what happens when literary texts prompt visual designs," note the authors, "in the way that the texts, through the cover design process, give rise to icons, images, figures, and compositions." Along with the stories behind noteworthy covers, they consider design trends through history and offer insights from dozens of literary and design experts.