Sports Illustrated: SLIDE SHOW is a new book that showcases more than 50 years of sports action. Culled from the magazine’s archives of more than 750,000 original slides, the photos prove that if every picture captures a moment, every slide recounts the complete back story. The notations along the border of each slide describe that image’s journey from playing field to publication. Beyond revealing how the slides evolved into SI cover shots and magazine pages, the book recounts anecdotes and offers rare insights from the world’s greatest sports photographers, including Walter Iooss Jr., Neil Leifer and Heinz Kluetmeier. SLIDE SHOW, which retails for $29.95 U.S./$32.95 Canada (Hardcover), will be available beginning May 5, 2009.

Press Release

Sports Illustrated: SLIDE SHOW
How the Picture Tells Its Story; Secrets and Surprises From SI’s Classic Photos

(New York, NY, April 9, 2009) –The award-winning photojournalism of Sports Illustrated is captured in SI’s latest book, SLIDE SHOW, which showcases more than 50 years of sports action, culled from the magazine’s archives of more than 750,000 original slides.  SLIDE SHOW, which publishes on May 5, proves that if every picture captures a moment, every slide recounts the complete back story.

The stickers and scribbles along the border of each slide describe that image’s journey from playing field to publication.  Each notation enhances the history and originality of the slide, detailing where and when it was taken.  In aggregate, the images in this stunning, oversized 176-page compendium capture some of the greatest moments in sports history.

“…all the stories are haunted in their own way, and beautiful, all of them contextual stories, graphic and nuanced at the same time,” writes SI Group Editor Terry McDonell.  “You just have to look at the archeology, or maybe it’s closer to forensic photo editing.  That’s the context of Slide Culture and what it left behind.  Which is what this book is about.”

A page from SLIDE SHOW is a virtual look behind the lens.  Beyond revealing how the slides evolved into SI cover shots and magazine pages, the book recounts anecdotes and offers rare insights from the world’s greatest sports photographers, including Walter Iooss Jr., Neil Leifer and Heinz Kluetmeier.

“Gone are the days when magazine editors huddled around light tables to socialize and sort through these small, poker chip-like milestone moments,” noted Sports Illustrated Creative Director Steven Hoffman.  “SLIDE SHOW captures a wonderful bygone era.”

A selection of SLIDE SHOW’s iconic images, hidden away in their protective cardboard sleeves – until now:

·      Frame the perfect shot in “The Catch,” San Francisco 49er Dwight Clark’s famous play in the final minute of the1982 National Football Conference Championship Game
·      Document the American flag’s proud position at the 1980 Winter Olympics Hockey Semi-Finals, moments before the U.S. Team’s victory over Russia
·      Capture the “Magic Flutie” by Boston College’s Doug Flutie, one of the most famous passes in collegiate football, , in 1984’s ultimate Hail Mary
·      Preview the test shots of Olympic Gold Medalist Peggy Fleming’s 1968 SI cover
·      Experience Philadelphia Warrior Wilt Chamberlain’s 1961 dunk “above the rim”
·      Capture future hockey greats Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, a decade before they would reunite as star players for the New York Rangers

SLIDE SHOW, which retails for $29.95 U.S./$32.95 Canada (Hardcover), will be available online at bookstores nationwide beginning May 5, 2009. The book is a must-have for sports, photography and art lovers everywhere.

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