Coffee table books range from historical to humorous

From a peek back in history to looking into space to laughing at comics, photographers and artists share their creativity in a variety of coffee table books this year.

"THE LOST PHOTOGRAPHS OF CAPTAIN SCOTT: Unseen Images for Legendary Antarctic Expedition," by David M. Wilson, Little, Brown and Company, 192 pages, $35 (nf)

It was March 29, 1912, when Capt. Robert Falcon Scott and his fellow explorers died while returning from the South Pole. A hundred black and white images from that expedition, including shots of the camp and amazing scenery, have been compiled into a book.

"TIME GREAT PLACES IN HISTORY: Civilization's 100 Most Important Sites — An Illustrated Journey," by the editors of Time, Time Home Entertainment, $29.95, 154 pages

From the Spinx and pyramids in Africa and the Temple Mount to Pearl Harbor and the Brooklyn Bridge, the editors of Time magazine have pulled together 100 locations that have historical significance in cultures, religion, society, politics, civilizations, battles, inquiry, innovation and arts from around the world.

Not far from Utah are two of the sites: the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., and the Hoover Dam along the Arizona-Nevada border.

"SOLAR SYSTEM: A Visual Exploration of All the Planets, Moons and Other Heavenly Bodies that Orbit Our Sun," by Marcus Chown, Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers, $29.95, 224 pages

With more than 300 photos, illustrations and other graphics, "Solar System" takes readers on a tour of the solar system, exploring planets, moons and the Asteroid Belt and the Kuiper Belt.

"SUNDAY BRUNCH: The Best of Zits Sundays," by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman, Andrews McMeel Publishing, $19.99, 256 pages

Nearly 300 of the best Zits Sunday comics, featuring 16-year-old Jeremy as he navigates life, are included in this 256-page book. Both of the authors provide commentary throughout.

"IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS CHAOS: For Better or For Worse 2nd Treasury," by Lynn Johnston, Andrews McMeel Publishing, $25.99, 408 pages

Includes comes from the fourth, fifth and sixth collection of the comic featuring the Patterson family and its dog.

"LIGHT IN THE DESERT: Photographs from the Monastery of Christ in the Desert," by Tony O'Brien, Museum of New Mexico Press, $50, 112 pages