Is it worth the price? The book comes bubble wrapped, and packaged in heavy cardboard. High end assembly materials are used including a solid cover board. Photographic paper is used for the pages. More effort could have gone into the binding when you consider the quality of the materials. The book is massive at 17” by 10”. There is no copywrite page. There is a one-page introduction by Mark followed by the subject matter which includes photos and quotes. Pages are not numbered.

Photo selection and page ordering are well thought out. The quotes selected show the subjects in a positive light although I would have preferred more salacious quotes. What is most surprising is the amount of spelling and grammatical errors. It’s almost as if no one bothered to proof read.

I ordered a signed version. The signature was done in haste and looks like scribble.

So, it worth the price? A resounding YES. ‘Soft White Underbelly’ has character and looks beautiful. The subject matter is fascinating. And Mark Laita is an artistic genius.

Having received mine as well, I agree with most of this review.
I appreciate the spelling and grammatical errors (one sentence just ends.)
I accept the mentioned imperfections as proof the book was crafted by the honest, simple, hard-working indigenous peoples of... wherever.
;-)
The book and its author are as flawed as the people in it, and it's easy to imagine that this was intentional.
The most valuable rare coins are the flawed ones. So this first (only?) edition may be the most desirable, if he corrects the flaws in subsequent printings/editions, if there are any.
A portrait of Mark would have been nice, but I get that he's putting the focus on the subjects.

I want a signed copy so bad.