From where you’ve been to where you’re going

138 anniversary histories and counting

incomparable books

Like other publishers of commemorative corporate, institutional, and academic histories, Incomparable Books manages the entire process from the initial concept to distribution. The difference is the superior quality of our writing, editing, and design. We prioritize artistic merit and literary excellence, striving for the highest standard of creativity to capture your story in the most compelling manner.

Our company is managed directly by the author, editor, and designer, enabling personalized, innovative, and hands-on client services. By focusing on roles that directly support the creative process—and book distribution, if needed—we offer an economic value proposition that is second to none.

trusted by the best

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incomparable team

Book Writing, Editing, and Design

Russ Banham

Author and President

Russ is among the world’s foremost corporate historians and business journalists. His 35 books comprise the anniversary histories of Ford, Boeing, Airstream, Bosch, Coors, New York Life, and many other large, midsized, and smaller enterprises that are publicly traded, private, or family owned. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, Russ has written thousands of feature articles for Forbes, Chief Executive, The Economist, Financial Times, Euromoney, Fortune, Inc., CFO, Corporate Board Member, The Journal of Commerce, and The Wall Street Journal.

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Betsy Holt

Creative Director

Betsy has written, edited, and/or project managed nearly 100 nonfiction books, many of them award winning, for high-profile corporate clients, nonprofits, major cultural attractions, and academic institutions. As an editor, Betsy helps ensure each client’s unique voice comes through in their story. She has edited many books written by Russ Banham, including the anniversary histories of Harvard Business School, Bosch, Hawaiian Airlines, and Harbor Foods as well as the two editions of The Fight for Fairfax.

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Vicky Vaughn Shea​

Design Director

Vicky has designed and laid out hundreds of books over the past 25 years. Although Vicky specializes in designing nonfiction corporate history books, she has also designed cookbooks, guidebooks, gardening and home improvement books, travel books, gift books, and children’s books. Many corporate history books that Vicky designed were written by Russ Banham and/or edited by Betsy Holt, including the anniversary histories of Harvard Business School, Belden, Progress Rail, Mississippi Power Company, and the American Council on Education.

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incomparable portfolio

what clients say

"For our centennial, we wanted to work with an author who could write a book that engaged and inspired our employees, customers, communities and everyone that is a part of – or an enthusiast of – Boeing and aerospace. The book needed to show how Boeing fit into, and often led, a century’s worth of global growth, technological revolutions, and economic shifts to become the world's leading aerospace company. We’re happy to say Russ Banham did it and did it very well‎."
JAMES MCNERNEY CEO AND CHAIRMAN, THE BOEING COMPANY
"Russ’s writing conveyed the story of Ford’s rich heritage and history in a very interesting and memorable way. We couldn't thank him enough for his fine work."
BILL FORD JR. CHAIRMAN, FORD MOTOR COMPANY
"Russ was a skillful alumni interviewer and the consummate professional throughout the manuscript​ development process. His talent for crafting stories and bringing situations​ to life have made an indelible mark on this book."
HOWARD STEVENSON PROFESSOR EMERITUS, HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
"The foresight of many business, political, and community leaders made northern Virginia the economic engine that it has become. Banham’s book best tells the story of how that happened and what it means for the future of Virginia."
TERRY MCAULIFFE 72ND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA
“Betsy Holt is one of the finest, most extraordinary book editors in the publishing industry. She has been the premier editor of books for the adult audience for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press for more than eight years. I trust Betsy’s editing capabilities and know our books are better because of her experience and wide-ranging talents. Her writing skills are excellent, too! Betsy is my number one choice for editing any of our books!”
Georgeanne Irvine, Director of Publishing, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press
"Vicky Vaughn Shea is extremely creative, collaborative, detail-oriented, and positive. She blends more than 25 years of award-winning professional experience with fresh perspectives, ideas, and an unfailing and enthusiastic desire to do her very best. . . . If Vicky is involved with something, it always turns out far greater than anyone could have imagined.”
John Trent, author and award-winning Nevada journalist
“Betsy is an extremely talented wordsmith, from writing to editing to her unique ability to dissect complex topics and organize them in an easy-to-understand manner. She helped us plan and produce an award-winning book, so if your project involves words, I highly recommend Betsy.”
Gareth Clary, Mississippi Power Company
"Vicky brings more than design know-how and best practices to her work—she brings a well-rounded understanding of the project’s topic, its potential for historical callbacks that stand the test of time, and an elegance that enhances the words on the page."
Brad Lyons, President and Publisher at Chalice Media Group
“I had the pleasure of working with Betsy Holt on Saving Wildlife, a memoir about my father, Dr. Kurt Benirschke, founder of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s research division. Betsy is both easy to work with and efficient, bringing a sharp attention to detail and a deep understanding of how to shape a compelling narrative. Her editorial expertise made the book stronger in every way.”
Rolf Benirschke, Former NFL Man of the Year, President and Founder, Embracing Ostomy Life, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Trustee
“Vicky Vaughn Shea is a design partner who intuitively understands storytelling, craftsmanship, and collaboration. She doesn’t just lay out words and images—she gives them life. Our recent work together on Second Sunrise and It Happened at the Palace are shining examples of her skill and sensitivity, and it’s this kind of collaboration that turns a book into a memorable object.”
Vanessa Campos, cofounder, Broad Book Group

let's work together

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