These books make great holiday gift ideas

From a book that supplements this fall's biographical film about Amelia Earhart to a book featuring wide-eyed newborn babies, the variety of reads to adorn your coffee table is vast this holiday season.

Here are some of them:

"AMELIA: The Motion Picture," Lydia Dean Pilcher, ed., Universe Publishing, 142 pages, $35

Featuring introductions by both filmmaker Mira Nair and actress Hilary Swank, this oversized hardcover is supposed to supplement this fall's biographical feature about the famed aviator.

However, it's much more complete than the actual film, which was sketchy and rather superficial, despite its first-rate cast. The volume includes photos from the movie production and pictures of the real-life figures who were involved, as well as various charts, maps and snippets of film dialogue. Those who have followed Earhart and her story will probably find this of some interest. — Jeff Vice

"FORT DOUGLAS (Images of America series)," by Louwane Vansoolen and the Fort Douglas Military Museum, Arcadia Publishing, 128 pages, $21.99

Another in the series of pictorial histories, this fun little volume traces the history of Fort Douglas from its beginning in 1862 to its closure in 1991.

The base was established by Col. Edward P. Connor and his 3rd California Volunteers in order to protect the overland mail and telegraphy routes between Nevada and Wyoming — and to keep an eye on the local Mormon community. Over the course of its history, the camp was the home of Buffalo Soldiers, sent men to fight in the Spanish-American War and World War I, became an induction center during World War II and the Korean War, and functioned as a support post for army, navy and marine reserves as well as the Utah National Guard. It also developed a nice relationship with the local community. This book offers a delightful look at that remarkable career. — Carma Wadley

"GREAT DISCOVERIES: Explorations That Changed History," Kelly Knauer, ed., Time Books, 138 pages, $29.95

Discovery is an on-going process. Scientists and explorers not only find new things, but they find new ways of looking at old things. And that's what you get in this lavishly illustrated book that considers new discoveries in the fields of geography, paleontology, astronomy and archaeology, while combining them with classic tales of exploration.