Excellent introduction to the various approaches to writing about art. She discusses Freudian art criticism, feminist art history, semiotics, biography and autobiography, among other topics, in a clear and cogent style.

correction to your listing. Laurie Adams is NOT the editor of Methodologies, she is the author. Delete (editor) from your listing.

I have been looking for a book like this for a long time. Laurie Schneider Adams combines detailed historical analysis with a stunning visual portrayal of the great masterpieces of western art. In a word, her book is itself a work of art. Intellectually and artistically the book is complete. I most enjoyed her discussion of the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, my favorite period in the history of western art. However, everything is covered in this book. Cave and wall paintngs of early europeans to modern french impressionism and Norman Rockwell are covered in detail and given their place in the development and history of western art. Archetecture, sculpture, and painting are each given careful attention, as are more unusual modern aesthetic expressions. Adams shows us that the history of art has its own aesthetic quality. Her book is a first rate resource that could serve both as a college text and as a personal introduction to western art. Owning the book is like having the Louvre on your bookshelf.

Art on Trial discusses various art trials, including Whistler v. Ruskin and Brancusi v. United States. The book is very readable and generally focusses on the question, "What is Art?"

The book is out of print, but would be a winner if it his the bookstores again.

Note: This book is similar to Law in the Courtroom by Vilis Inde. Inde, however deals with trials of the last 20 years. In addition, Inde's analysis is a little more in depth because he used actual transcripts of the hearings and briefs. This is a 5***** book as well.

Enjoy one or both.

Italian Renaisance art by Laurie Schneider Adams is a wonderful introductory text on Renaisance art. It is very clearly written with a helpful glossary for those who are not familiar with art terms. It not only explains both style and iconography of the Renaisance period but gives a great backround of the culture of the period. The illustrations in the text are wonderfuly detailed and most are in color. This is a great text for intro. classes to Ren. art and people who wish to learn on their own.

If you read this book, you will change your current life style. While simplifying you'll find new priorities for your life - you'll find room for the things that really count.

Letting go provides a step by step analysis of the following key problems: security blankets, the past, tired relationships, myths and fantasies, constricting personal habits, games and artificiality, outside pressures and the final letting go.

By reading this book you'll find greater intimacy with others, increased productivity and real joy.

Laurie Schneider-Adams has organized this book quite well, grouping chapters in ways that emphasize the interactions of cultures and the effects this had on the development of art. Non-western art doesn't take a back seat in this book, either. Overall, the most important thing is that she doesn't write as if art developed in a vacuum; the social, political, cultural, etc., reasons for how and why art was created is what art history is all about, and Schneider-Adams' book serves to show us that.

After using Gardner's Art Through the Ages and Janson's History of Art for several years I found this book to be very refreshing. The sections on Eastern countries (India, China, Japan), although small, are better in introducing subjects not previously addressed in early Art History introductory texts. The inclusion of other historical elements adds to the text as well-such as the status of women in particular societies and information about different religions.

The vastness of the world art subject is daunting but I believe that Laurie Schneider Adams in Art Across Time successfully covers the most crucial aspects including areas of non-western art. Such examples as Mughal Art and the Baroque or 19th Century Impressionism and Japanese Prints or Gauguin and Oceania in Post Impressionism are invaluable for their strategic placing and representation of non-western models. There are also highlighted tables throughout the book about contextual history as is the one on Scientific Experiment in the Enlightenment. Furthermore, the introductory chapter contains key issues about art as well as stylistic terminology, and art historical methodologies which are a necessary part of art history for beginners. The plates are beautiful and are accompanied at times with plans and maps that are useful aids in the teaching process. The Art Across Time, volume one and two, are extremely important to those college instructors teaching Survey in two semesters, but the volumes are also useful separately. Schneider Adams writes in a flowing discourse that is facile for the undergraduate to understand and explains difficult ideas in precise, well organized formats that are easily assimilated. To be sure there are tiny flaws in Schneider-Adams' Art Across Time, but the book comes as close to perfection as one can get given the magnitude of this area. Finally, the publisher is extremely helpful to instructors providing such teaching aids as cds, slides and the images on the web for wireless environment classroom teaching.

This book has wonderful pictures and gives an excellent overview from ancient to post modernism art. The descriptions are pretty brief though, and do not go into great detail on any particular artist. However, it's an excellent book to get a general idea of the evolution of western art. The book covers significant art movements, and some minor ones as well.

This is a textbook from my college art history class. A lot of cool pictures. A good general overview of western art history. But don't expect a detail description of famous artists like Picasso, Monet, etc.

This is a great book, contanis many color pictures and excellent information. I recommend you to buy this book. It's perfect!!!