14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A solid, clear, and concise history of art, December 16, 2008
"Living With Art" is a fairly common textbook for intro to art classes, but it manages to rise above the level of a superficial survey. Even though it's probably intended as a textbook, the format doesn't waste space for someone wishing to brush up on their art history outside of the classroom. By that I mean there aren't lengthy end-of-chapter reviews, projects, or answer keys. Having read fairly thoroughly in the field of art and aesthetics, I was not expecting to get a lot out of this book. How much can one really say about art in a single volume? Surprisingly, Getlein says a lot in a very readable, succinct manner.
The book starts out with the impossible question, "what is art"? One of the most pleasant surprises was the discussion of the nature of art. With such a variety of opinions and ideas, to present the major ones in a clear, concise manner is something of an achievement in itself. It sets the tone for the later chapters which are a straightforward history from ancient cave drawings to Jeff Koons inflatable lobsters.
The book itself is quite nice. The images are reproduced with all their detail and color intact. Granted, the images are small, but they are also plentiful. Virtually every point is supported with an image as an example. This is one textbook that students will want to hang on to.
As an alternative, I would recommend E.H. Gombrich's "The Story of Art". It's probably superior in every respect, but it's also a little more difficult for beginners and casual readers. That's not to say that most readers couldn't pick it up and get a lot out of it.
Whether you're looking to brush up on your art history, or you're a student and this is a required purchase, you have a lot to look forward to. I've seen a lot of "comprehensive" histories, but "Living With Art" ranks amongst the top.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
For Art History Lovers, March 17, 2010
I bought this book for an Art Appreciation class in college and have kept it. It is so well presented and covers a wide spectrum of Art History and photography. It has single-page biographies of selected artists that also gives insight into their styles. I've had two Art History classes along with my Art Appreciation class and this book is the one I've enjoyed the most. It is easy to read and the information is well presented.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
book review, December 24, 2011
This review is from: Living with Art (Paperback)
Thank you for your prompt and professional service in purchasing this product. Your site listed the condition of the book and it arrived exactly as you said it would.
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