The coffee table book is the rare genre defined not only by content but by destination. Sure, not all of these oversized tomes wind up marooned beside a scented candle in someone’s living room — some make it all the way to hotel lobbies and the waiting rooms of cosmetic dentistry practices. I’ve seen volumes on Panama hats, rattan and a mall in Dubai — worthy topics of study, surely, but perhaps not majestic enough to merit the heft of the format. Jimmy Metyko’s SHAPING SURF HISTORY (Rizzoli, $55) is, though sneakily. But what a scene to witness.

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Persons: Jimmy Metyko’s Locations: Panama, Dubai, California