Sports Illustrated Knockouts: Five Decades of Swimsuit Photography

There is a wonderful quote in this book from a journalist (and a female one at that) which says:"All the SI bathing suit models are muscular and lean and authentic. They don't mind working up a good sweat. They're proud of the bodies they've worked into shape. There is nothing powdery or gushy about them. In other words the women in the swimsuit issue are not the worse role models a young girl could have."And she's absolutely right. If I had abs like that I would show them off proudly too!!! Knowing a little bit about physical fitness...I know that it takes a lot of discipline and hard work to get your body to look that toned. The last thing in the world I would do is criticize them for this. I came to SI just by chance I saw the 1995 special on TV and was left majorly impressed at how the young women conducted themselves. They were definitely no ones "hoochies". Actually I was so impressed that when I saw several of them on the covers of various magazines etc.. I immediately remembered their names. And that is not something that happens with everyone. I never understood the hullabaloo people make about the SI swimsuit issues. I think that it is absolutely wonderful. My favorite period was when Jules Campbell was the editor. The woman definitely had an eye for (tasteful) beauty. It was pure old school: In that while the models were certainly appealing-it was always in a DIGNIFIED WAY-everything about these ladies said "respect me". These women carried themselves with the confidence of Queens. They exuded assurance and implied that they had the world on a string. The pictures in the book are absolutely exquisite and are worth every penny. Believe it or not in a world where actresses and film stars often look as if they work in the adult entertainment business. The SI swimsuit models are not the worst role models young girls can have. Thanks ladies for providing such an inspiration to me!

This book is simply amazing. I received my copy, flipped through it, and then I bought two more copies. One to read (actually, there's nothing to read), the second one for just in case the first one falls apart, and the third copy for the office.

If you love sport Illustrated swimsuit edition, or if you simply love model Photography, this book is simply the best i've found.Hardcover, excelent print quality, intereting stories, and best of all.... Some of the Best pictures Sports Illustrated has published in the las 5 Decades. If you whant the best coffe table book to own, this is it.

I think this is a beautiful collection of some of the all time great SI Swimsuit photographs, reproduced as never before; large, and on great paper. Frank deFord has written a really interesting history of how the SI Swimsuit edition got started. But basically it's about the photographs - lots and lots of them. I have missed Kathy , Stacy, Elle, and all the other SI Swimsuit greats, now I have them all in one stunning edition. A great gift for any guy.