The Customized Body

Weirdest book of the month must be The Customized Body crammed with photographs of people whose bodies have been variously tattooed, pierced and otherwise decoratively mutilated. Keep it on your coffee table for when there’s an awkward lull in the conversation.—Cosmopolitan

"This comprehensive book is a grand tour of the world of body adornment, from the ephemera of hairstyles and clothing to the more permanent statements made by cosmetic surgery and tattooing."—Skin Two

Ted Polhemus is an American social anthropologist who lives in London. His books include Style Surfing: What to Wear in the Third Millennium and Fashion and Anti-Fashion.