Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections by Stephen Biesty and Richard Platt (1992, Hardcover, Reissue)

Unfortunately, most of us aren't blessed with X-ray vision. But if you did have it, what would things look like? Steven Biesty's book "Incredible Cross-sections" will give you a hint though.

In this amazing book, you can see what buildings, ships, and military and civilian vehicles look like from the inside. There are 18 detailed drawings in this book of a galleon, castle, opera house, cathedral, ocean liner, submarine, fishing trawler, oil rig, coal mine, tank, helicopter, jumbo jet, the Space Shuttle, car factory, observatory, steam train, subway, and the Empire State Building.

The best part of the book is the gigantic three foot pull out of the "Queen Mary" ocean liner in the middle of the book. The diagram shows the engine rooms, staterooms, funnels, dining rooms, and more. It's hard to comprehend the size of the ship until you see it to scale with a tugboat and alongside seven Statues of Liberty.

This is really a great book with all the detailed pictures showing every major and minor part of a structure, and how things relate and go together, and simple but good explanations. Highly recommended for the people who like the "inside story"!

The Incredible Cross-Sections Book is an outstanding book. My son had checked it out of the public library for many years. Because Stephen Biesty's detailed drawings are so well done, it's a book my son always enjoys. We had tried to purchase it from a retail store, but it was no longer in print and available. The book we purchased on E-Bay was excellent quality.

I had not realized that at time of purchase this book would carefully dissect multiple items. Therefore, upon seeing it, this greater selection simply enhances the experience/value, overall.

Mr. Biesty has other books that I hope to add to our home school collection. That any reader can easily access such a virtual experience proves inexplicably beneficial.

For the inquiring mind, nothing sates the curiosity like this particular series of books/illustrations.

Excellent presentation below the skin of interesting subjects. Great for elementary grade students to see the inner workings of man's creations! I have been giving these books to nephews and grandsons for years. The taped together, ragged books, sitting in the back seat waiting for the next trip to gradnma's house tells me they've have been enjoyed.
I must admit, I too, enjoyed seeing the functional designs on display!

if you are a fan of stephens and richards work you will know the detail and craftmanship involved in this piece of artwork. as for a picture speaking a thousand words this is summed up here. this should be essential reading for every child in an effort to inspire.