Under the Skin: A Tattoo Reading ListLike this list

40 items

• Tattoos

  the Untold Story of a Modern Art

  Lodder, Matt,

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  A richly illustrated history of Western tattooing as both craft and career, spotlighting the artists, icons and underground traditions that shaped it long before it went mainstream.

• Tattoo

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• The Konyaks

  Last of the Tattooed Headhunters

  Konyak, Phejin,

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  A striking tribute to the last tattooed headhunters of Nagaland, this work blends oral history, portraiture and personal journey to preserve the fading tattoo traditions of the Konyak people.

• Tattoo You

  a New Generation of Artists

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  A bold visual survey spotlighting 75 global artists reshaping tattoo culture today—this collection captures the range, depth and future of tattooing as a radical, evolving art form.

• Tattoos in Japanese Prints

  Thompson, Sarah E. (Sarah Elizabeth), 1951-

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  A striking look at the roots of Japanese tattoo art, tracing its deep ties to ukiyo-e prints and the shifting cultural meanings ink has held—from devotion to defiance.

• Painted People

  5,000 Years of Tattooed History From Sailors and Socialites to Mummies and Kings

  Lodder, Matt,

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  A hidden history etched in skin—this global tour of twenty-one tattoos uncovers the stories behind ancient rites, bold rebellions and personal expressions, revealing tattooing as both an intimate art and a reflection of human experience.

• Tattoo History

  a Source Book : An Anthology of Historical Records of Tattooing Throughout the World

  Gilbert, Steve

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  A sweeping, illustrated anthology tracing tattooing from ancient rituals to modern studios, this collection gathers voices across centuries—explorers, scholars, and artists—offering a rare and encyclopedic view of tattoo's global and evolving legacy.

• Bodies of Subversion

  a Secret History of Women and Tattoo

  Mifflin, Margot, 1960-

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  A groundbreaking chronicle of tattooed women and women tattooists, this expanded edition traces bold self-expression, survival and subversion—from Victorian aristocrats to breast cancer survivors—revealing how ink has shaped and empowered…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• 100 Years of Tattoos

  McComb, David,

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  A vivid visual history tracing tattoo culture from the fringes to the forefront, this collection of over 400 images captures a century of shifting styles, scenes and self-expression through ink.

• This Is a Book for People Who Love Tattoos

  Hutter, Verena,

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  A bold, full-color tribute to American Traditional tattooing, this book blends history, iconography and artist profiles to celebrate the stories behind classic designs—from “Mom” hearts to lighthouses—honoring the legacy inked into every line.

• Tatau

  a History of Sāmoan Tattooing

  Mallon, Sean,

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  A visually rich and deeply researched history of Sāmoan tattooing, this book traces 3,000 years of tradition, resilience and artistry—revealing how the pe‘a endures as a powerful symbol of identity and cultural continuity.

• Polynesian Tattoos

  42 Modern Tribal Designs to Color and Explore

  Gemori, Roberto,

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  Inspired by the ancient tradition of Polynesian tattooing, this collection of symbolic designs blends personal storytelling with visual ritual—offering both creative inspiration and a pathway to reflect on resilience, growth and meaning.

• Drawing With Great Needles

  Ancient Tattoo Traditions of North America

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  This groundbreaking study explores the deep cultural and spiritual significance of tattooing among Native peoples of the Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains, revealing how inked symbols shaped identity, ritual and belonging across generations.

• Forever

  the New Tattoo

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  A bold look at tattooing’s modern renaissance, Forever dives into the evolving edge where ink meets art, fashion and rebellion—profiling boundary-pushing artists and styles that define today’s dynamic and disruptive tattoo culture.

• Traditional American Tattoo Design

  Where It Came From and Its Evolution

  Swallow, Jerry

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  A vivid archive of American tattoo flash, this collection of 265 original sheets charts decades of evolving styles and themes—from military and religious icons to classic nature motifs—offering both history and inspiration from a seasoned artist’s…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• William Morris Full-color Patterns and Designs

  Morris, William, 1834-1896

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  A lush source of tattoo inspiration, this collection of William Morris’s iconic designs offers intricate botanical and decorative motifs—like acanthus leaves, wild tulips, and mythical creatures—perfect for those drawn to detailed, ornamental ink…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Language of Tattoos

  130 Symbols & What They Mean

  Schonberger, Nicholas,

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  Explore the hidden meanings behind 130+ tattoo symbols in this richly illustrated guide, blending cultural history, artistic insight and inspiration for anyone drawn to the language of body art.

• Maori Tattooing

  Robley, Horatio Gordon, 1840-

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  A landmark 1896 ethnographic study of Māori tattooing, this volume explores moko’s cultural significance through detailed illustrations, historical accounts, and firsthand observations of genealogy, identity, and ancestral reverence.

• Arabic Tattoos

  الوشم العربي

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  A personal reflection from featured calligrapher Stewart J. Thomas reveals how this groundbreaking book captured a cultural turning point—when sacred scripts became tattooed expressions of identity, rebellion, and global exchange.

• Mad Dogs and Queer Tattoos

  Tattooing the San Francisco Queer Revolution

  Roberts, Robert E.,

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  A vivid memoir from tattoo artist Mad Dog, this work chronicles gay life in 1970s San Francisco through inked bodies and bold symbolism—part personal story, part cultural history, part visual archive.