SIGHT AND INSIGHT

Halsman has always been less stylized than Karsh, that other famous photographer of famous people (remember his Jumping Pictures -- he'll remind you) and for many years was a leading Life cover man. There wilt be 200 black and white halftones here, of about 100 of his favorite people -- all celebrities, along with one or two page informal and not too well-written comments (Marilyn Monroe ""in constant self-devouring depression"") on the sittings, on his famous Halsman camera, on his techniques. The subject has to be at ease -- he took Gloria Swanson out for a walk for an hour before attempting to shoot her. Gide, Huxley, Einstein, JFK, et al., Nixon much friendlier than LBJ -- but Halsman sent out for a Cardin tie for the President since it was his birthday, Buckley, Bogart, you name names, they're probably there. But the pictures should carry the book on their own splendidly commemorative value.