The story of the arts in the West from prehistory to the present. Much of the book is devoted to the visual arts, and the remainder to literature, ideas, history, philosophy, music, dance and theatre. It summarizes major concepts, characterizes major personalities and defines technical terms.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In an ambitious, enormously rewarding survey of the arts in Western civilization, art historian Lucie-Smith traces the connections between architecture, painting, sculpture, literature, philosophy and music in each of a number of epochs discussed. Proceeding from Paleolithic Mother Goddesses to minimalism and multiculturalism, Lucie-Smith is always entertaining and frequently profound, whether he is discussing the "universal language" of Neolithic rock art, the Byzantine empire's "lopsided" cultural achievements, parallels in the lives of Beethoven and Goya, or Arshile Gorky as "a forerunner . . . stranded between the European approach to painting and the American view." This splendidly illustrated album features hundreds of color and black-and-white plates, plus maps, time charts, literary excerpts from Gilgamesh to Waiting for Godot , and boxed highlights (such as "The Conquest of Mexico" and "African Art and Cubism"). Lucie-Smith's acute insights and his focus on specific creative works keep his highly selective narrative lively and concrete.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This survey from the beginnings of art to now is organized in bits--using specific examples to explain periods, styles, and the like. Comparable to David G. Wilkins and Bernard Schultz's Art Past/Art Present ( LJ 5/15/90) but more extensive and less graphic in its layout, this text also considers very selected examples of drama, literature, music, and philosophy, with brief extracts (Shakespeare--two pages) from literary works. Sort of a People magazine approach to art history and the other disciplines it covers, focused on great men and the occasional woman, the book is a well-written survey aimed at beginning undergraduates or high school students. Despite this title's greater breadth, however, Art Past/Art Present is preferred because if offers more coverage of the works of art it does discuss. To cover art and civilization in one volume is problematic and, despite Lucie-Smith's writing and organizational talents, the book is a dead outline that does not even tantalize.
- Jack Perry Brown, Art Inst. of Chicago Lib.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Jack Perry Brown, Art Inst. of Chicago Lib.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
excellent summary of the arts through the ages,
By A Customer
This review is from: Art and Civilization (Hardcover)
this book was interesting because it traces all aspects of the arts (including painting, literature and philosophy) since ancient times. also the grouping of all the aspects of art of a particular time make it easier to trace their influences on each other. what is also interesting is that an excerpt from an influential book of that time is included in each chapter.
5.0 out of 5 stars
excelent quality, low price, great service,
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This review is from: Art & Civilization (Paperback)
These guys sent me a new book in original package for one dollar, an incredible deal at a great price. The book arrived perfectly and the service was excelent. Thank you
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good read for everyone in these ancient times.,
By Chih-Chun Tang (Taipei, Taiwan) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Art & Civilization (Paperback)
This is a very good book, which is wrothy to read!
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