Considering that this seems to be the only book in print on Abbey and his works, I'd have to say it is certainly the best of it's kind. I am a fan of Abbey's work, especially his Shakespearean subjects. Unfortunatly, I have been unable to learn much more about him with the expection of this book. It seems, in his day, he was considered an illustrator more than an artist and suffers from the classification in much the way that Norman Rockwell has. It is a shame, because much of his work is very beautiful and yet seems lost, even in this age of information super highway. This book is not so much a biography, as it is a simple chronical of his works relating to Shakespeare. It makes an interesting connection between his work and and the general notions in late 19th century Theatre about how a Shakepearean production should look. Unfortunately it reads very much like a University essay which has tackled a very narrow bit of subject matter. This and a lack of many full color images of Abbey's work is dissapointing, but when it seems to be the only source available, I will be thankful that it, at least, exists.