When it comes to the men on your Christmas gift-giving list, do you find yourself getting glassy-eyed? Totally stumped? Panicked? Nothing will dispel those fears quicker than a walk around the book stacks. From Uncle Fred to brother Bob, from your current beau to your especially hard-to-buy-for adult son, books are indeed the perfect gift. The bestseller list will always provide easy selections, but searching the shelves will turn up jewels such as these:

For the armchair historian: "1000 Events That Shaped the World," forward by Jared Diamond (National Geographic, $40). Though events are listed chronologically, this doesn't have to be a front-to-back book. The reader can peruse the pages in any order, absorbing the photographs, paintings, first-person accounts and quick-read bios. With its usual high standards, National Geographic presents a fascinating walk through time from the first evidence of life 3.8 billion years ago to a just-discovered planet beyond our solar system, which may harbor life as we know it. Which came first, the bow and arrow or the making of pottery? Which is older, Shakespeare's "Hamlet" or Japan's Kabuki theater? A captivating book that will be revisited often.

For the aging (or wannabe) rock star: "With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars," by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books, $75). He will ecstatically strum, pick and stroke his way through this lavishly illustrated and endlessly fascinating tome from bestselling author Kellerman, as he proudly shares his private collection of guitars from classic makers Fender, Gibson, Martin, Dobro and others. Each entry is paired with sparkling mini-essays and rich, personal histories. Warning! Delving into this book may cause the reader to react with blissful (air)guitar playing and even dancing!

For the man who doesn't often pick up a book: (This eye-catching title will get his attention.) "Riddled with Life: Friendly Worms, Ladybug Sex and the Parasites That Make Us Who We Are," by Marlene Zuk (Harvest Books, $14). Erudite and witty, evolutionary biologist Zuk gives us a disease-appreciation course that is an entertaining and authoritative look at how our bodies' parasites have shaped who we are. The book answers questions such as how our spreading obsession with cleanliness is making us sicker, why women live longer than men, and what attracts us to our mates. Who would have thought an eloquent storytelling scientist could make diseases sound fascinating and sexy?

For the Monday-morning quarterback who likes to cook, too: "The NBC Sunday Night Football Cookbook" (Time Inc., $27.95). Here is an easy-to-use playbook that marries two things that many men love: food and football. And lest you think this book simply rehashes halftime hot links and tailgate chili, feast your eyes and palates on recipes such as Seared Salmon with Jalapeno Dressing, Lemon and Cracked Pepper Chicken or Pecan Pie with Brownie Crust and Vanilla Sauce. The book is organized by NFL regions, and selections range from appetizers to desserts. Also included are wine pairings (sorry guys, no brews), color photographs, player and team trivia and three tempting Super Bowl party menus. A winning gift, for sure!

Judi Baxter owned and operated Judi's Bookstore in downtown Twin Falls from 1978 to 1992. From 2000 to 2004 she wrote a twice-weekly column for Publisher's Weekly's online edition called "Reviews in the News."