Writing with all the brilliance, authority, and pungent wit that have distinguished his art criticism for Time magazine and his greatly accl...
read full description
reviews
Nov 22, 2009
Suzanne
rated it: 
Rbt Hughes continues to inspire and reveal all the layers of everything - and I mean everything about art - with constant wit, insight and blinding, wildly crass matter of factness. He remains one of my favorite art historians/ critics of all time.
Jul 28, 2011
A wonderful, epic history of art in America. It is strong through most of th book, but the last chapters on recent impressionism and abstract art fall off a bit. Well -illustrated as well.
Jun 21, 2008
Becca
rated it: 
This book is an incredible addition to a humanities library. With a sweeping look at the arts in America, the thing that sets this book apart from the rest is the author's ability to give *context* to it all. You get this great feel for what was going on in America and the world at the time that made this painting or that statue so valued or memorable, even if we might think it's the ugliest thing we've ever seen. I also love that Robert Hughes isn't afraid to express his opinion about variou
More...
May 11, 2011
Tuck
rated it:
at 648 pages, this is a bit much for even Robert Hughes worshipers, but its AN ESSENTIAL BOOK for any thinking humans out there.
Dec 16, 2009
Jason
rated it: 
A great read for any American artist or historian wishing to place one’s self within a specific lineage of great minds. Reads smoother than any other art history text handed to me in school. Robert Hughs has a coy sense of humor and no qualms about expressing his own biases towards certain historical figures (he is not a fan of J. Audubon). The book moves rapidly from the settlers of America up until the early 19th century then gets progressively beefier with each decade. I especially like his a
More...
Nov 03, 2008
Erik
rated it:
Very tendentious and judgmental which is typical for Hughes. I do disagree with him, especially on significance of Hopper, Winslow Homer and Wyeth, among others. My gods are Eakins and Sargent and Whister's etchings. I do like Hughes' courage to make judgments about good and bad in art however, and his send up of the NYC 80s art world as a relativistic PR machine for peddling junk to dealers. This seems to only have gotten worse. But the good news is New York's star has definitely fallen.
Feb 03, 2012
Dyer
rated it:
An illuminating book by an Australian author who also hosted the brilliant television series which this book expands on in a scholarly but accessible manner. The illustrations are vivid and very true to life, but if you get the chance rent the tv series, they're thrilling. The book is available at a very affordable price from various sites listed right here on goodreads.
Nov 29, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
This is undoubtedly my most favourite book of all time, the beautiful flow of writing and insights into the world of art are astounding. Read this book!!!
Oct 21, 2008
Candi
rated it:
Read the whole book in college, and watched the movies. They're actually quite good. I find myself still thinking about them 10 years later.
Feb 06, 2012
Jan 25, 2012
Dec 31, 2011
Dec 14, 2011
Nov 25, 2011
Nov 20, 2011
Nov 02, 2011
Oct 31, 2011
Sep 20, 2011
Sep 20, 2011
