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For "Hollywood Moms" (Abrams, 112 pages, $29.95), Joyce Ostin photographed 50 of filmland's female actresses, producers, directors and performers with their mom or daughter.

Or with both, as in the case of Carrie Fisher, who wrote the book's introduction.

Many of the black-and-white photos are accompanied by quotations:

"There is no greater joy than the joy a child brings," says Faith Hill, seen with daughters Maggie and Gracie.

"The best part about working with mom is whenever I feel lousy ... she is nearby and always knows exactly what to do," says Melissa Joan Hart, seen with mom Paula and Melissa's four sisters.

"I can't bear to think of a world without them in it," says Jaclyn Smith Allen of her mom, Margaret Ellen Smith, and daughter, Spencer-Margaret Richmond.

"I love when Luca just completely relaxes in my arms. It is such a safe, warm feeling," says Jennie Garth of daughter Luca Bella.

And Jennifer Lopez says that mom Guadelupe "was my strength and discipline. She made it possible for me to follow all of my dreams and become what I am today."

Batter's up!

The baseball bum is on the sofa and the TV set is tuned to one of any of the zillions of games televised these days. There is nothing between man and machine except the coffee table � the perfect spot for "The Baseball Timeline" (DK, 1,216 pages, $50) by Burt Solomon.

More than 1,000 pages, thousands of entries and hundreds of photos equal several pounds of baseball history book.

It begins in 1778, with an entry from a soldier's diary referring to a game called "base," and concludes with the fifth and final game of the 2000 "Subway" World Series.

Included are the sensational (Don Larsen's perfect World Series game, 1956); the dramatic (Bobby Thomson's pennant-winning home run, 1951); the tragic (1993 boat crash that killed two Cleveland Indians and injured a third); the comical (tiny Eddie Gaedel's pinch-hitting appearance for the hapless 1951 St. Louis Browns); and the controversial (George Brett's pine-tar home run, 1983).

Boxes throughout provide tidbits of information in several categories � rules, trivia, equipment, history, culture and quotations. Each season's best individual performances are celebrated, and each year's news headlines are provided for historical perspective � and to remind us that there are important things besides baseball.

A first lady's flair

Jackie Kennedy was first lady 40 years ago and for only three years. But probably no first lady before or since has approached her for holding the public's fascination or affecting fashion.

In 300 photos, many in color and some published for the first time, "Jackie: The Clothes of Camelot" (St. Martin's. 194 pages, $35) by Jay Mulvaney displays Kennedy's White House fashion sense and its continuing influence. Depicted are 200 ensembles � from swimsuit to business suit, from ball gown to funeral attire � plus jewelry, accessories, design sketches and fashion dolls.

The book, produced with the cooperation of the Kennedy Library, incorporates interviews with Kennedy's friends, designers and associates.

Mustang madness

You always wanted a Ford Mustang, and now you can have all of them. Well, pictures of all of them.

"Ultimate Mustang" (DK, 192 pages, $29.95) by Patrick Covert traces the evolution of the Pony Car, from its roots (a combination of two concept cars) to its highly publicized debut (the 1964 1/2 model) that made the covers of Time and Newsweek.

There are hundreds of photos, most in color, depicting the Mustang's various body styles up to the 2001 model, including competition and concept cars, along with exterior and interior details and engines. Also illustrated are Mustang ads, miniatures, pedal toys, dealer brochures and model kits.

For those who also like to read, there are short biographies of designers, executives and engineers who contributed to the car's development and success. And fans of specs will enjoy the tables containing each model year's production figures, prices and vehicle identification numbers.

The royal treatment

England's Royal Photographic Society has more than 270,000 images dating as far back as 1826. More than 300 have been selected to illustrate "PhotoHistorica: Landmarks in Photography" (Artisan, 336 pages, $60), a history of the development of photographic style and technique.

Its photos are divided into categories, including portraits, social documentary, nature and science, art, landscape and architecture.

Among the images are a portrait of Cardinal d'Amboise, one of three heliographs-on-pewter made by France's Joseph Nicephore Niepce in 1826-1827 and one of the oldest and rarest of photos; Arthur Banfield's "Life History of a Splash" (1900), a 36-photo sequence showing a steel ball dropping 5 inches into milk; and Gertrude Kasebier's 1902 portrait of 16-year-old showgirl Evelyn Nesbit, mistress of architect Stanford White,

Text is by Pam Roberts, the society's curator.

Documenting a legend

What is John Wayne's real name? How did he get his nickname "Duke"? What was his first job in films?

To find the answers, listen up, pilgrims: They're in "John Wayne: There Rode a Legend" (Western Classics, 275 pages, $75), a photo biography of the bigger-than-life film star written with the cooperation of his son, Michael Wayne.

Illustrating this hefty volume are about 500 photos, including stills, posters, publicity shots and memorabilia � weapons, riding gear, sculpture and paintings from Wayne's private collection, which he donated to the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.

Jane Pattie's text includes anecdotes from friends, family and colleagues. The foreword is by Wayne's five-time co-star Maureen O'Hara.