Rat Fink: The Art of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth [Paperback]

Douglas Nason (Author), Greg Escalante (Author), Doug Harvey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2003

Born in Los Angeles and raised in the epicenter of the California hot rod explosion, Ed Roth created automotive forms purely from his own imagination. His hand-built creations and revolutionary techniques transformed car design, reinvented American hot rod culture and put Detroit on notice. Each of his creations transcended function and form to turn the American automobile into rolling sculpture. He fathered a movement known as Lowbrow Art, and his sculpture, design, and illustration inspired underground cartoonists and tattoo artists, and launched the careers of such artists as Robert Williams. This volume features articles, essays, and writing by Ilene Roth, Von Franco, Coop, Todd Schorr, The Pizz, Greg Escalante, and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Last Gasp of San Francisco (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867195444
• ISBN-13: 978-0867195446
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 11.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #870,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Daddy Lives!, July 31, 2003

By 

Elvis-from-Hell (Fort Lauderdale, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rat Fink: The Art of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth (Hardcover)

This is a great, must-have book that provides the definitive overview of Big Daddy's art and more general contribution to pop culture. Unlike "Ed Big Daddy Roth: His Life, Times, Cars, and Art" by Pat Ganahl (which is also great), this book focuses more on Roth's art rather than his car creations (although there are quite a few photos of the cars too). The book is divided into chapters focusing on different aspects of his art like the Rat Fink model kits he designed for Revell, t-shirt art, comic book art, vintage decals, etc. Each Chapter is written by a different author (including many lowbrow artists like Robert Williams, Dave "DB" Burke, and the Pizz) who discuss how Big Daddy influenced their childhood and artistic career as well as his overall impact on pop culture. While the claim made by the book that Roth was the greatest artist of the 20th century may be a bit of an overstatement, his influence on boys (mostly) who grew up during the 60's and 70's can hardly be overstated.

There's also plenty of interesting biographical info here including how Big Daddy's appropriation of outlaw symbols in the late 6o's, like the maltese cross and swastika, resulted in a commercial backlash against him (not unlike The Ramones who did the same thing and suffered similar criticism).

In short, this is a must own book whether you're a fan of hot rod culture, lowbrow art or pop culture in general. The book cover done up to look like the box from an old Revell Rat Fink model kit is a nice touch by the publisher, Last Gasp.

Most cool!!!!!!!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get This!, February 18, 2006

By 

Seattle Brat (Seattle, Wa USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rat Fink: The Art of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth (Paperback)

This the Big Daddy book to buy if you're trying to decide between this or the Pat Ganahl one. It has a much nicer design (more in keeping with Roth's own original aesthetic), there are more photos (pretty much all color) plus there are a variety of viewpoints from many people who were close to Roth. All aspects of his career are covered; cars, t-shirts, toys, etc. An outstanding book and loving tribute to a legend!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost for words..., June 6, 2004

By 

Joshua Michael Smith "Hydro74" (Lake Mary, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rat Fink: The Art of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth (Paperback)

This book first off is GREAT. I wasn't sure what to expect when i first ordered, but once i got it, i was very impressed and blown away. This not only goes over the history of Ed Roth, but also has a great deal of his work shown in it. From old custom Hot Rods, to his Kustom Cars, to the different Rat finks (surf fink, race fink ,etc) this book is a blessing.

The only thing i would say that it lacked on is that fact it didn't go into great detail on his Kustom Cars that he created in his lifetime. I was expecting to be a great deal more, but since i was more into his art and collabrated art, no harm no foul in my eyes.

If you like Big Daddy Ed Roth in the least, this book is perfect!
joshua
http;//www.hydro74.com