Burning Book: A Visual History of Burning Man

by Jessica Bruder, Various (Illustrator)

It all began in 1986 when a pair of friends burned an eight-foot-tall effigy on Baker Beach in San Francisco in front of an impromptu audience of twenty. Two decades later Burning Man has evolved into a dazzling annual extravaganza dedicated to radical self-reliance and self-expression, attracting nearly forty thousand people. These revelers -- an eclectic mix of punks, geeks, families, ravers, grad students, gear heads, hippies, and tourists -- turn the ancient lakebed of Nevada's Black Rock Desert into a bustling city that exists for one glorious week before disappearing in a cloud of ashes and dust.

Burning Book is both a loving commemoration of the event's storied history and an enlightening companion for festival goers. Bruder explores the unique ethos and breathtaking art installations that have shaped the event, along with Black Rock City's distinctive landmarks, pranks, lore, and gift-based economy. Illustrated with hundreds of stunning photographs, Burning Book is a striking tribute to an extraordinary cultural phenomenon for the legions who participate in Burning Man every year, and for those who haven't become part of this unforgettable celebration -- yet.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Travel, Photography, History

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 7, 2007

About the author

Jessica Bruder is a journalist who writes about subcultures and resilience.

For her most recent book, "Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century" (W.W. Norton & Co.), she spent months living in a camper van, documenting itinerant Americans who gave up traditional housing and hit the road full time, enabling them to travel from job to job and carve out a place for themselves in our precarious economy. The project spanned three years and more than 15,000 miles of driving—from coast to coast and from Mexico to the Canadian border.

Jessica has been teaching at Columbia Journalism School since 2008. She has written for publications including Harper's Magazine, The Nation, WIRED, The Washington Post, The Associated Press, The International Herald Tribune, The New York Times Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, O: The Oprah Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Reuters and CNNMoney.com, along with The Oregonian and The New York Observer — where she worked as a staff writer — and Fortune Small Business magazine, where she was a senior editor. Her long-form stories have won a James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism and a Deadline Club Award.

Reviews

[Greynomad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I believe there are enough wacko's out there to enjoy Burning Man

[Andy Oppel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have participated in the Burning Man event 9 times, working as a dispatcher in Emergency Services. Jessica Bruder captures the true spirit of the event and as best I can tell, every description she offers is dead-on accurate. She is a great storyteller as well.

[Sam Ley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than most books about Burning Man... Many people have such profound experiences at Burning Man that they are compelled to write about it. But to badly paraphrase someone, "Writing about Burning Man is like dancing about architecture." Fun to do, less fun for those you are trying to communicate with. However, Burning Book does a good job of not trying to analyze things, and just presents images and stories that give an idea of the "feel" of the place. Worth flipping through, whether you've been, or not.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning photojournalism overview of the Burning Man experience. Well written, amazing images, provides a comprehensive history of the event as well as stories and in depth information about the art, construction and infrastructure of Black Rock City, the citizens, fashion, theme camps, desert cuisine, parties, creative transportation, and all other things associated with the big Burn. Read it if you need a vicarious trip OR if you're missing your "home away from home" in the desert.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been to Burning Man, nor am I likely to go. Flipping through this book gave me a glimpse of the creativity and images found there. There's a bit of reading too, you can get an overview of the history, some background about the giant artwork. I seriously thought about sending it to my nephews, themselves artists and tinkerers but not yet unbound by Wisconsin.

[Nathaniel Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite Burning Man book because it covers my personal first years at Burning Man (2001-2001). It's a photo collage book of not just great images of the structures, costumes, and art cars of those years but it also has great photos of all the playa gifts and stickers and patches that were being passed around. It feel like I could have made it.

[Mer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess Bruder is made of awesome.

[Holos · Rating 3 out of 5]

You have to read this one a certain way ...

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far... this book is incredible and I'm wishing I were on the Playa every time I put it down.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad overview of what Burning ManTM has become, with great photographs (not a lot of emphasis on the naked people, which other Burning ManTM books done).

[Fractal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent descriptions or the event, with nice typography.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A- If you are going to BM for the first time, def check out this fascinating book. Great pics, gets you excited, gives you a little history (and a little practical info).