What a privilege it is to stroll through thousands of years of magnificent art with the keen-eyed, confident, supremely knowledgeable Thomas Hoving, the former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, whose opinionated, charming prose could make anyone feel like an art-world insider. Whether or not you know an ism from an altarpiece, Hoving will gently grasp your elbow and welcome you to the party, introducing you to everyone who's anyone and encouraging you to partake of the nourishing, sumptuous feast. Like most of the books in the For Dummies series, this one isn't, really. It's a delightful, erudite romp, cleverly and clearly designed to allow the art-curious reader to correct for a nearly universal deficit in American education. There are pictures, of course, including some in color, but this book assumes real love on the part of the reader, who is expected to get off the couch and--with Hoving's excellent guidance--go find the real thing and gaze upon it in the flesh.

Tom the Jargon Slayer offers 14 chapters on the history of Western art, from cave painting to the 1999 Venice Biennale; others cover appreciating art ("the only true enemy of art is good taste"); beginning your own collection ("Dürer is never mushy"); and what to do if your child shows artistic genius ("get out of the way"). He offers readers a priceless tip on how to visit any museum, tells you where the hidden gems are all over the world, describes a mysterious expedition with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to the Hermitage, and sputters bitterly over a shortsighted superior who refused to allow him, then a young curator, to buy a tiny Flemish masterpiece that is now a centerpiece at a rival museum. Although written for adults, this fact-filled book would entertain and educate students from middle school on. --Peggy Moorman


From Library Journal
In this delightful book, Hoving, the witty former director of the Metropolitan Museum, leads readers gently through thousands of years of art history. He spends most of the book historicizing Western art, but he also touches on how to start an art collection, how to evaluate artistically precocious children, how to visit museums (stop first, he says, at the postcard stand in the bookstore), and where to go to see art. His breathless enthusiasm is avuncular, scholarly, and quite infectiousAan attitude that happily precludes condescension. He urges readers not to worry about contemporary "isms" and instead to pay attention to art that "makes the blood rush faster." He also provides juicy biographical information about major artists: Rembrandt was a "thoroughly disreputable" character, D?rer "arrogant," Hogarth a "full-time curmudgeon." He even suggests CDs to listen to while watching the light show at Giza. The sole drawbacks are the insulting series title (for dummies this isn't) and the collection of pithy, puerile cartoons that epigrammatically open each chapter. A terrific book for students, travelers, tyros, and old hands alike, this is highly recommended for all libraries.ADouglas F. Smith, Oakland P.L., CA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
If you've always wanted to find out more about art but felt intimidated by the overeducated art world, then you've found the answer. Art For Dummies is the book that will have you and everyone you know clamoring outside the doors of your local museum. Thomas Hoving, former director of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, is credited with revolutionizing the Met, doubling its size during his tenure, and bringing art to the masses. Let him bring art to you as well.

In Art For Dummies, Thomas Hoving provides a how-to guide to the art world. First, he guides you through an introduction to art appreciation, pointing out the details that you've always noticed but have never been able to explain. Next, Hoving takes you on a ride through art history. (Have you ever regretted not taking those art history classes in school With Art For Dummies, you'll feel all caught up and ready to spar with the local intellectuals.) Hoving even includes a guide to the world?s top art cities and centers, a listing that can help you prepare for your next artistic voyage. With this guide, you can discover where to go in order to see the greatest works of art, and you can also find out about hidden treasures in nearby art museums.

You also get a great start for seeking out art with Hoving's lists of the greatest works of Western civilization, the most interesting artists, and the contemporary artists to watch. Don?t wait another day to introduce yourself to the art world!


From the Back Cover
"Do you love art but feel intimidated by it? …Then this book is for you!" Anne Hawley, Director, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston "Long in coming, much needed, and clearly and accurately written. Congratulations, Tom." — Peter L. Schaffer, A La Vieille Russie, New York Includes full-color gallery of great works of art! If you've wanted to take a closer look at art, but get intimidated by the art world, you'll treasure Art For Dummies®. In this down-to-earth guide, renowned art expert Thomas Hoving shows you how to get more out of a trip to the museum, from art appreciation 101 to a quick overview of major movements and artists. Discover how to: Look at art like an expert Get the most out of a museum Find the world's best art collections Appreciate the world's greatest masterpieces Start your own art collection Get smart! www.dummies.com


About the Author
Thomas Hoving is the former director of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the former editor of Connoisseur magazine, and the author of the New York Times bestseller, Making the Mummies Dance.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Do you love art but feel intimidated by it? …Then this book is for you!" Anne Hawley, Director, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston "Long in coming, much needed, and clearly and accurately written. Congratulations, Tom." — Peter L. Schaffer, A La Vieille Russie, New York

Includes full-color gallery of great works of art!

If you've wanted to take a closer look at art, but get intimidated by the art world, you'll treasure Art For Dummies®. In this down-to-earth guide, renowned art expert Thomas Hoving shows you how to get more out of a trip to the museum, from art appreciation 101 to a quick overview of major movements and artists.

Discover how to: Look at art like an expert Get the most out of a museum Find the world's best art collections Appreciate the world's greatest masterpieces Start your own art collection

Get smart! dummies.com

If you've always wanted to find out more about art but felt intimidated by the overeducated art world, then you've found the answer. Art For Dummies is the book that will have you and everyone you know clamoring outside the doors of your local museum. Thomas Hoving, former director of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, is credited with revolutionizing the Met, doubling its size during his tenure, and bringing art to the masses. Let him bring art to you as well.

In Art For Dummies, Thomas Hoving provides a how-to guide to the art world. First, he guides you through an introduction to art appreciation, pointing out the details that you've always noticed but have never been able to explain. Next, Hoving takes you on a ride through art history. (Have you ever regretted not taking those art history classes in school With Art For Dummies, you'll feel all caught up and ready to spar with the local intellectuals.) Hoving even includes a guide to the world?s top art cities and centers, a listing that can help you prepare for your next artistic voyage. With this guide, you can discover where to go in order to see the greatest works of art, and you can also find out about hidden treasures in nearby art museums.

You also get a great start for seeking out art with Hoving's lists of the greatest works of Western civilization, the most interesting artists, and the contemporary artists to watch. Don?t wait another day to introduce yourself to the art world!

Author Biography: Thomas Hoving is the former director of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the former editor of Connoisseur magazine, and the author of the New York Times bestseller, Making the Mummies Dance.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal