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Review
The most desirable art book of the year --The Times
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Over two decades, this art historical tour de force has consistently proved the classic introduction to humanity's artistic heritage.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
The history of the manual techniques that have enabled the human race to dominate its environment began in east-central Africa more than two million years ago, when pebbles were first made into rudimentary tools by breaking off part of the surface to form a working edge. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The history of the manual techniques that have enabled the human race to dominate its environment began in east-central Africa more than two million years ago, when pebbles were first made into rudimentary tools by breaking off part of the surface to form a working edge. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book in its breadth, scope, treatment, scholarship, illustration and literary merit truly sets standards of excellence. In particular the breadth and scope of a single volume treatise albeit of large format and nearly one thousand pages length is nothing less than impressive. The first review of the book written in 2000 is as pertinent to-day as it was then but with the qualification that the flaw identified then namely the inadequate treatment of 20th century art has in this seventh edition been ably remedied by the eminent contemporary art historian Michael Archer.
The book traces the evolution in the visual arts including architecture from the paleolithic era to the beginning of the 21st century and covers every continent and culture. With over 1400 illustrations, half of them in full colour and an array of maps, diagrams, time charts, an outstanding glossary, an excellent list of suggested further book reading and index comprises a complete and comprehensive text. An interesting feature in the book are the boxes which in this edition have been expanded to include additional areas apart from 'Sources and Documents' and 'In Context' which, however, correctly prevail.
The wide array of considerations in the book treatment of such complex issue as art can best be appreciated by citing two excerpts from the introduction which relate to our perception of art and its place in the scheme of human affairs and the human condition:
'The essential unity of aesthetic, moral and natural experience can be felt in them (works of art) in varying degrees, and they sharpen our awarness of how richly it falls on the receptive consciousness. For our senses are inextricably interwined, the religious with the aesthetic, the aesthetic with the moral, and the moral with that of order and proportion. The appeal of a great work of art is never purely visual, simply to delight the eye'.
'In every human society, art forms part of a complex structure of beliefs and rituals, moral and social codes, magic or science, myth or history. It stands midway between scientific knowledge and magical or mythical thought, between what is perceived and what is believed and also between human capabilities and human aspirations'.
The book certainly comprises one of the most valuable assets of the art book collection in my library.
The book traces the evolution in the visual arts including architecture from the paleolithic era to the beginning of the 21st century and covers every continent and culture. With over 1400 illustrations, half of them in full colour and an array of maps, diagrams, time charts, an outstanding glossary, an excellent list of suggested further book reading and index comprises a complete and comprehensive text. An interesting feature in the book are the boxes which in this edition have been expanded to include additional areas apart from 'Sources and Documents' and 'In Context' which, however, correctly prevail.
The wide array of considerations in the book treatment of such complex issue as art can best be appreciated by citing two excerpts from the introduction which relate to our perception of art and its place in the scheme of human affairs and the human condition:
'The essential unity of aesthetic, moral and natural experience can be felt in them (works of art) in varying degrees, and they sharpen our awarness of how richly it falls on the receptive consciousness. For our senses are inextricably interwined, the religious with the aesthetic, the aesthetic with the moral, and the moral with that of order and proportion. The appeal of a great work of art is never purely visual, simply to delight the eye'.
'In every human society, art forms part of a complex structure of beliefs and rituals, moral and social codes, magic or science, myth or history. It stands midway between scientific knowledge and magical or mythical thought, between what is perceived and what is believed and also between human capabilities and human aspirations'.
The book certainly comprises one of the most valuable assets of the art book collection in my library.
102 of 104 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although Honour & Fleming's World History of Art may not include entries on 20th century non-western art, as some critics have noted, it is the most complete source of world art and architecture available at present. Its text is lucid and engaging, the overall layout and comprehensive index afford the reader easy access to topics, and there is a plethora of good quality illustrations. As well as being both a well-produced book and a good read, it is not surprising that it has been selected as one of the two set texts for the new GCE AS level History of Art course.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The first thing I noticed about this book was the weight. Think a heavy tome- not a book to read on the bus! As an aside, I would advise spending the little extra and getting the hardback because thus you can open the pages without worrying about damaging the spine. But I digress.
The book spans Art from early man to the present day, thus giving a broad overview of the trends and main occurrences. The text, while I have just flicked through it, is lucid and doesn't expect the reader to know everything, so it is a good introduction to the History of Art. Nevertheless, as some reviewers have noted, this can be a downfall in itself- it cannot go into as much detail as specific books can. It depends on what you want; as a reference book it is fantastic, with stunning illustrations. You can spend ages dipping into it, just looking at the photos and diagrams.
Particularly interesting, were the 'In Context', 'Sources and Documents' and 'Concept' boxes. These succinctly flesh out the reader's understanding of a particular period e.g. when talking about art in the Americas, there is a page on the Religion and Society in Ancient Peru. Often the context of a piece gives a better insight into it, so the book does score on that. The sources and documents range from Vitruvius's writings on Roman painting to Veronese's Interrogation by the Inquisition and thus give the reader a flavour of what contempory people wrote or did; while the Concept boxes help to explain key terms and ideas, such as 'Art for Art's Sake' and 'Modernism and Formalism.' I also liked that the book went right up to the present day (the edition I have was revised in 2009) so has current ideas and concepts in art; it is well worth getting the most recent edition as they do update the text.
Overall, it is a broad yet lucid insight into the global History of Art and it will take a long time to devour it, but it is well-worth it.
The book spans Art from early man to the present day, thus giving a broad overview of the trends and main occurrences. The text, while I have just flicked through it, is lucid and doesn't expect the reader to know everything, so it is a good introduction to the History of Art. Nevertheless, as some reviewers have noted, this can be a downfall in itself- it cannot go into as much detail as specific books can. It depends on what you want; as a reference book it is fantastic, with stunning illustrations. You can spend ages dipping into it, just looking at the photos and diagrams.
Particularly interesting, were the 'In Context', 'Sources and Documents' and 'Concept' boxes. These succinctly flesh out the reader's understanding of a particular period e.g. when talking about art in the Americas, there is a page on the Religion and Society in Ancient Peru. Often the context of a piece gives a better insight into it, so the book does score on that. The sources and documents range from Vitruvius's writings on Roman painting to Veronese's Interrogation by the Inquisition and thus give the reader a flavour of what contempory people wrote or did; while the Concept boxes help to explain key terms and ideas, such as 'Art for Art's Sake' and 'Modernism and Formalism.' I also liked that the book went right up to the present day (the edition I have was revised in 2009) so has current ideas and concepts in art; it is well worth getting the most recent edition as they do update the text.
Overall, it is a broad yet lucid insight into the global History of Art and it will take a long time to devour it, but it is well-worth it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Hugh Honour: A World History of Art
Quick delivery, item as descriped. An interesting and useful reading for anyone interested in art. Useful quick dictionary at the end of the book.
Published 6 months ago by Heli20380
Enormous!
I can't really review the book as it is for a friend (doing an art course) but what I can say is it is ENORMOUS! It's got to be full of tons of information. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jenni Wren
Huge
This book is a giant history of art with high quality pictures. It goes in to a small amount of detail on each topic but it is more of an overview than anything else. Read more
Published 10 months ago by D. J. Andrews
a world history of art
Thank you amazon for your prompt delivery.
Probably the best history of art book ever written. I fully recommend this book.
Good quality for a good price.
Probably the best history of art book ever written. I fully recommend this book.
Good quality for a good price.
Published 17 months ago by Vlad I
'A World history of Art'
I am a Fine art student, so this book was a compulsory buy for me. Despite this; it is a book I thoroughly enjoy. It is intense, passionate, illustrated and well descriptive. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Katie
A World History of Art
Excellent book for any age interested in art and its historys good for revising art exams
Published on 10 Feb 2010 by A. M. Redfern
A World History of Art- Review
I'm a first year History of Art student and this book was a part of our reading list. I can't say it's the best book you can find on History of Art as far as my experience shows. Read more
Published on 13 Nov 2009 by Vivian90
An easy introduktion to the history of art.
the book A world history of art, is an introduktion to the history of art, with ofcourse the european view of things. Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2009 by S. Ankergaard
excellent
A thorough and well-written exposition of all kinds of art, starting from its foundations in the pre historic Europe and Asia. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2009 by Evmorfia Katsika
Unnecessary irritant
In this edition of A World History of Art the publishers have adopted a policy of mixing UK and US spelling - e.g. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2008 by Peter H. Workman
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