History of Birds of the World

It won’t be in the Book-of-the-Month Club. Comedian Jim Carrey refused to appear in it. Even the book’s publisher yanked one of the photos. Why? The book in question is “The Finger: A Comprehensive Guide to Flipping Off” (Acid Test Productions, 1998).

“The Finger” is a look at the offensive--and it turns out, ancient--gesture and its place in pop culture. Roughly meaning “up yours,” the middle finger has always been a threat.

The book traces its history from ancient Greece, when it first appeared in the Aristophanes play “The Clouds,” right up to current appearances in “Seinfeld” and “Titanic.” There are dozens of archival photographs of celebrities from Nelson Rockefeller to Al Goldstein to Ice Cube, all with fingers extended, of course.

It is the work of L.A.-based satirists M.J. Loheed, Matt Patterson and Eddie Schmidt, publishers of the e-zine “Ooze” (https://www.ooze.com), with photography by Stephanie Hernstadt.

A stocking stuffer, perhaps, for that special someone?