The smile is a powerful expression of emotion, unique to human behavior. Far from being quaint, sentimental or mawkish, The Smile explores behavioral, literary and cultural references in entertaining and absorbing text illuminated by color images. The authors discuss the appearance of smiles in the Bible and throughout social history, with features on popular culture, psychoanalysis and fine art. Carefully selected visual references highlight details from a variety of media, including mosaics, frescoes, statues, photography, cartoons and paintings.

DONALD SASSOON is a professor of Comparative European History at Queen Mary, University of London. He is the author of numerous books, including Leonardo and the Mona Lisa Story.

TANYA SASSOON is a graphic designer and the author of The Boyfriend Training Kit, which has been translated into six languages; The Parent Training Kit; and The Office Survival Kit.