The Art of Getting Over (Hardcover)

by Stephen Powers (Author) "Freight Monikers look like the oldest form of modern graffiti, extending the history of an individual writing an alias in a unique style to the..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, San Francisco, Gangster Style (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"More fun than a can of silver with a Jif-Foam cap, The Art of Getting Over is a brilliantly smart and funny look at today's writing movement. A must-read for nozzle-necks and non-inkheads alike." --Anonymous
-- Review

Review

"More fun than a can of silver with a Jif-Foam cap, The Art of Getting Over is a brilliantly smart and funny look at today's writing movement. A must-read for nozzle-necks and non-inkheads alike."—Anonymous

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Product Details Hardcover: 160 pages Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (October 1, 1999) Language: English ISBN-10: 0312206305 ISBN-13: 978-0312206307 Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #404,025 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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First Sentence:
Freight Monikers look like the oldest form of modern graffiti, extending the history of an individual writing an alias in a unique style to the early part of this century. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, San Francisco, Gangster Style, Old English, The Crazy

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 2 books:

• Subway Art by Martha Cooper on page 29
• The Kid Stays in the Picture by Robert Evans on page 73

 

3 books cite this book:

• Taking the Train by Professor Joe Austin in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
• Judging the Image (Transformations: Thinking Through Feminism) by Alison Young in Back Matter
• Judging the Image (Transformations: Thinking Through Feminism) by Alison Young in Back Matter

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	55% buy the item featured on this page: The Art of Getting Over 4.2 out of 5 stars (33) $21.86
	14% buy Piecebook: The Secret Drawings of Graffiti Writers 5.0 out of 5 stars (8) $19.77
	12% buy Graffiti World: Street Art from Five Continents 4.3 out of 5 stars (55) $23.10
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Customer Reviews

33 Reviews 5 star:  (22) 4 star:  (5) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:  (4)           Average Customer Review 4.2 out of 5 stars (33 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 23 of 24 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars A word is worth a thousand pictures..., May 4, 2000 By  "joe_momma" (La Puente, Ca USA) - See all my reviews Stephen Powers, aka ESPO, gives to the world of publishing, The Art of Getting Over. No, it is not a self-help book, but a journal documenting the escapades and works of Graf kings past and present. Bound in black ( thus resembling a graf head's "peice book" ) it contains hundreds of full-colour and black white pictures, showing the different styles and forms of graffiti and the evolution thereof. Also, within the pages contains excerpts of the lives of the various artists, from the interesting ( The REVS ) to the near tragic ( GKAE from L.A. in particular ). Though at times one could get lost from the numerous crew & name dropping, it is noteworthy enough to warrant a place in Hip-Hop history. The highlight of this book is, of course, the amazing art displayed, featuring Mr. Powers' impressions of the various faces of graf: wether it be block letters, wild styles, throw-ups, to the basic tag. It would have been of particular interest to have put in words the aesthetics of graf in greater detail by someone who is active in the art ( especially to the laymen ), but we only have tidbits here and there scattered through out that leaves the reader wanting some more. An excellent addition to any Hip-Hop library, it might just make a graf head out of you. 18 of 18 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Getting Over Before You Are Gone Over, October 23, 2000 By  Noname (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews This book is a piece of history. It is important. There are some nice anecdotes. There are also some great pictures, and that's important because a lot of this art is temporary. Which is part of its beauty. So it is important that people know some history. The history of graffiti is too vast to cover it all in such a short book, but the personal feel (and viewpoint) that Powers employs make this history come alive. The fact that New York City's Mayor Rudy sent his graffiti task force into Mr. Powers' residence to confiscate computer hard disks and other info related to this book because he didn't like the activities of Mr. Powers is a further indication that it is important that this information be preserved. Acts of nonconformity often become co-opted and defused. Therefore it is essential that people remember the past so that it can't be used against them and sold back to them in the form of a Sprite commercial or as a pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans. Consumption isn't rebellion. The act of purchasing this book isn't rebellious. To "get over" on a society that wants to erase dissent, you need to read this book and preserve history in your memory so that it can't be sold back to you in altered versions. "The Art of Getting Over": Read it. Learn it. Love it. Live it. 18 of 20 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars ESPO Drives Luxury Cars, December 13, 1999 By  Matt Bananas (NYC Baby) - See all my reviews Steve Powers is one of the greatest modern day artists. His first foray into the world of autordom is a smashing success and a great sign of what is to come from this street hero. His local political activism and work with underpriveliged children is an example we should all follow. How many legendary grafitti artists do you know who will pull up in their Cadillac El Dorado, put in 6-8 hours of volounteer work at an orphanage, campaign against the tyrannic Mayor Guilliani and still have the energy/focus to create a prolific art masterpiece all while alluding the NYC Grafitti Task Force? The answer is none and that is why Steve Powers can forever charge it to the game while mainaining a zero balance. I'm not sure what that means but it sounds pretty good. ESPO is the Best, Yo.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars true subculture I had the honor of being in a major NJ Graf crew in the 90's, of which Espo and Sater (From Philly) were affiliated. Read more Published 10 months ago by Jamie Thorpe 5.0 out of 5 stars a must this book is a must for anyone who appreciates the art of the streets...and as a person who loves the east coast...i love how this books highlights a lot of espo's work Published 19 months ago by Geoffrey G. Mcelwee 5.0 out of 5 stars ESPO dont lie This book is on point! reading this took me back to that day and age of no worrys,no cares the only problem you had was where am i rackin' my next can of paint! Read more Published on March 26, 2007 by rusto 5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS AMAZING Wow is one way to put it. I just loved this book. It has the the writers I have always admired like kad. Pictures are great. And its philadelhia!!!!! Published on September 14, 2004 5.0 out of 5 stars Three Words RAZZ, KADISM and SUROC! You can read about New York writers in any book. Reading about these Philadelphia standouts is worth the price alone. Published on January 24, 2004 2.0 out of 5 stars Scratching on the wall This book rides totally on the surface of the misunderstood subculture of graffit writers. It fails to address the larger social issues of alienation and angst that most serious... Read more Published on May 20, 2002 1.0 out of 5 stars Same old same old... This book is the same old one-sided ranting found in most graffiti books. It only tells one side of the story; the selfishness of most graffiti writers to place their egos on city... Read more Published on May 20, 2002 by jtomas23 4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Misdemeanors. This book is poorly written, but I'm doubt that anyone is buying it for that. There is a nice chronological progression of pictures of various examples of grafitti - some of the... Read more Published on March 21, 2002 by arsenionavarro 5.0 out of 5 stars A great toilet companion. Great, colorful pictures, memorable stories, and an superb summary on the history of graffiti. Worth buying for anyone interested in urban art or grahpic design. Published on February 3, 2002 5.0 out of 5 stars broadway elegant This is by far the best graff book i have ever laid my hands on...Espo is a legend and knows exactly what to present about the culture and how to present it... Read more Published on January 5, 2002 by robflorig Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312206305
• ISBN-13: 978-0312206307
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #404,025 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A word is worth a thousand pictures..., May 4, 2000

By	"joe_momma" (La Puente, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

Stephen Powers, aka ESPO, gives to the world of publishing, The Art of Getting Over. No, it is not a self-help book, but a journal documenting the escapades and works of Graf kings past and present. Bound in black ( thus resembling a graf head's "peice book" ) it contains hundreds of full-colour and black white pictures, showing the different styles and forms of graffiti and the evolution thereof. Also, within the pages contains excerpts of the lives of the various artists, from the interesting ( The REVS ) to the near tragic ( GKAE from L.A. in particular ). Though at times one could get lost from the numerous crew & name dropping, it is noteworthy enough to warrant a place in Hip-Hop history. The highlight of this book is, of course, the amazing art displayed, featuring Mr. Powers' impressions of the various faces of graf: wether it be block letters, wild styles, throw-ups, to the basic tag. It would have been of particular interest to have put in words the aesthetics of graf in greater detail by someone who is active in the art ( especially to the laymen ), but we only have tidbits here and there scattered through out that leaves the reader wanting some more. An excellent addition to any Hip-Hop library, it might just make a graf head out of you.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting Over Before You Are Gone Over, October 23, 2000

By	Noname (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

This book is a piece of history. It is important. There are some nice anecdotes. There are also some great pictures, and that's important because a lot of this art is temporary. Which is part of its beauty. So it is important that people know some history.

The history of graffiti is too vast to cover it all in such a short book, but the personal feel (and viewpoint) that Powers employs make this history come alive. The fact that New York City's Mayor Rudy sent his graffiti task force into Mr. Powers' residence to confiscate computer hard disks and other info related to this book because he didn't like the activities of Mr. Powers is a further indication that it is important that this information be preserved. Acts of nonconformity often become co-opted and defused. Therefore it is essential that people remember the past so that it can't be used against them and sold back to them in the form of a Sprite commercial or as a pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans. Consumption isn't rebellion. The act of purchasing this book isn't rebellious. To "get over" on a society that wants to erase dissent, you need to read this book and preserve history in your memory so that it can't be sold back to you in altered versions.

"The Art of Getting Over": Read it. Learn it. Love it. Live it.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ESPO Drives Luxury Cars, December 13, 1999

By	Matt Bananas (NYC Baby) - See all my reviews

Steve Powers is one of the greatest modern day artists. His first foray into the world of autordom is a smashing success and a great sign of what is to come from this street hero. His local political activism and work with underpriveliged children is an example we should all follow. How many legendary grafitti artists do you know who will pull up in their Cadillac El Dorado, put in 6-8 hours of volounteer work at an orphanage, campaign against the tyrannic Mayor Guilliani and still have the energy/focus to create a prolific art masterpiece all while alluding the NYC Grafitti Task Force? The answer is none and that is why Steve Powers can forever charge it to the game while mainaining a zero balance. I'm not sure what that means but it sounds pretty good. ESPO is the Best, Yo.