The American Art Book

I am not an art critic or claim to have any expertise in art but I do find The American Art Book by Jay Tobler an excellent way to relax and view the world of art in compleley different setting. The compilation of artists is very complete and provides an outstanding cross section of artists within our american culture. As I read the book I can't help but think that each artist sat down with Jay and described to him in the artists words what the piece meant to them. The candor and symmetry of the writings are spendid and truly allow you to understand and relate to, not just the art work but also the artist.

What an incredible collection! An expertly guided tour through the always fascinating spectrum of American art over the centuries. I found the reproductions of works stunning, and the accompanying texts both accessible and stimulating. And kudos to editor Jay Tobler for choosing such a broad representation of artists -- introducing the reader to new and intriguing figures in the midst of celebrating the greats. This book is a must to own for lovers of art or American cultural history -- and for anyone interested in learning more about it. It's so much more than your usual "coffee table" book -- it's like having your own museum of treasures to revisit -- and trust me, you will.

I thoroughly enjoy reading The American Art Book. The layout is just wonderful - it is simple, but very informative. I keep it on the coffee table and flip through it all the time. It is so well organized, and keeps my interest. I would recommend this book to anyone from avid art lovers, to book collectors, and to people who just enjoy learning about artists and their work. I especially love the large prints which allows the reader to really SEE the work. So many books overload you with much information that it is easy to lose interest. The American Art Book provides enough text to give the reader a good base understanding of the artist. I don't think I will ever tire of reading this book. A great thanks to Jay Tobler for this work!

The American Art Book, edited by Jay Tobler and published by Phaidon, is the one BIG American art book that has it all! The bountiful range of entries is astonishing to experience -- and at long last gives us a truly full spectrum three century survey of all of what is American in American art. The reproductions are beautiful, large and representative. We are spared tedious artspeak -- and instead offered just enough text to ground the work and its maker in time, place and space. The carefully selected reproductions, one to a page, are insightfully juxtaposed as page spreads that illustrate work not often seen together in the same building -- much less the same book. In The American Art Book we are finally able to SEE how all the pieces of the tapestry fit together as one. There is, quite simply, no better survey of art in America, and probably never has been. Rarer still, when was the last time the best book on American art was also the most reasonably priced? This is an art book you can afford to own, without disappointment or apology, no matter your budget. You'll see work you have never seen before by artists you know well. You'll discover artists you never knew existed whose work is pure revelation. And you'll make scores of connections you never knew existed before now. There is nothing bad to say about The American Art Book. Once you see it you'll wonder why no other art book in your library delivers so much.

Jay Tobler and a well-choosen group of art world insiders have compiled an impressive and definitive survey of American Art over three centuries. Wide-ranging but tightly choosen, this book includes all manner of visual arts (painting, sculpture, photography and more) and establishes the figures who matter most. Wonderful descriptive captions accompany each image. A unique coding system on each entry refers readers to influences and similar works. Most importantly, the often segregated folk artists, who are after all the most "American" of American artists, are accorded full and equal treatment here. This book is also amazingly underpriced considering the number of high quality color photographs within. The carefully selected images establish just what is "American" in American Art.