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Destroying books has traditionally been seen as a brutal, almost inhumane, act. Is it possible that instead, book destruction can be turned into beautiful and inspiring works of art? That's the premise behind a new book from distinguished designer and photographer, Julius Friedman. Titled simply, The Book, Friedman's latest project is an art book made possible by the sacrifice of several other beautiful books for the pieces within. "The Book project was inspired by Gail Gilbert, the art librarian at the University of Louisville Library, when she gave me a bag of books she was discarding," Friedman noted. "She thought I could tear them up and make collages or an art project. I told her I was not a collage artist and, being a book designer, I could not tear them up.