Coins may be tight just now, but "Posing Beauty" [W.W. Norton, $49.95], a coffee table book with jaw-dropping images, documents our distinct, dazzling and defiant style from 1890 to today, is worth the investment. Deborah Willis, the author of the best-selling "Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs" and the award-winning "Reflections in Black," compiles over 200 dreamy duotone and full color photographs including: Grand turn of the century Black society women; scenes from our barbershops, beauty salons, and beauty pageants; and of course, images from Sunday service [who is sharper on Sunday but us?]. Best part? Willis's visual tribute to heroes Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and First Lady Michelle Obama.— PHB

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