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 radical self-expression, attracting nearly forty thousand people. These revelers -- an eclectic mix of punks, geeks, families, ravers, grad students, gearheads, 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: A Visual History of Burning Man" is both a loving commemoration of the event"s storied history and an enlightening companion for festivalgoer"s. 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 more than...