© Alaisdair Jardine. Baumraum, Andreas Wenning, Between Alder and Oak, Osnabrück, Germany.

What was it about tree houses that so appealed to us as children? The idea of secluding oneself in a space entirely our own—up in the air away from the adult world that was maddeningly always trying to pull us back to solid ground—was certainly a part of the allure. Being closer to the natural world, to the birds, squirrels and other creatures we saw roaming the tress, probably also caused us to imagine having our own little palace in the sky. One look at the marvelous and varied structures in Tree Houses: Fairy Tale Castles in the Air, a new book by architecture writer Philip Jodido published by Taschen, and we are transported back to childhood, and begin wondering just why it is we can’t live in a tree house as adults? The book provides readers a photographic tour of 50 of the best and most interesting tree houses around the world, which vary from rustic to modern and chic. The book also makes us wonder whether our childhood affinity for tree houses helped pave the way for the concern for ecological sustainability that has become ingrained in contemporary society.

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All photos © Harry Benson

In 1964, Scottish photojournalist Harry Benson was sent on an assignment by The Daily Express to accompany The Beatles to Paris. Over the next two years gained extraordinary access to the band members, documenting them as they encountered the full frenzy of Beatlemania, and when their 1966 tour was overshadowed by backlash after John Lennon was quoted as saying that “we’re more popular than Jesus.”

After a long and winding road (sorry, we couldn’t resist) Benson is now releasing hundreds of his images of The Beatles in a limited edition book published by Taschen. The Beatles On the Road 1964-1966 features some of Benson’s most famous photos, such as his shot of the Fab Four having a pillow fight in the George V Hotel, as well as many never before seen images.

Images from the book are being exhibited at the Taschen stores in New York and Los Angeles, and Benson will be signing copies during two upcoming events (space is limited, and RSVP is required). On June 6, 7 to 9pm, Benson will be at the Taschen Store in New York, 107 Greene Street, and be interviewed by Taschen author and editor Reuel Golden. On June 13, 7 to 9pm, he’ll be at 354 N. Beverly Drive, Los Angeles, along with Gary Kalamar, DJ at KCRW. To secure reservations, email store-ny@taschen.com or store-beverly@taschen.com.

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© Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Detroit Publishing Company Collection. Above: Mulberry Street, 1900.

Reuel Golden, a former executive editor of PDN, has worked with art publisher Benedikt Taschen to produce New York: Portrait of a City. Setting out to be the visual encyclopedia of all things New York, Golden’s book collects hundreds of iconic images from early 1900 to present day. To find out more information about Reuel Golden’s book click here.

Tonight is the opening of the exhibition, featuring images from Golden’s book, at the Levi’s Fall Workshop in New York city. Click here for more info.

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