Ostensibly, this book examines the political and social context for modern/abstract expressionist art during the Cold War. Very early on the author indicates that, after contextualizing the movement historically, he will be addressing the period between 1947 and 1951.It is perhaps fitting that, in a book about the political and social context of Abstract Expressionism, that the only thing more abstract than the art examined should be the prose examining it. A few samples of the writing:"What I a [...]

If you are interested in modern art and know a little about the New York School this gives you a whole other view of the period. It's not so much on the artists but on the motivation, the political views of the players at that time. Critics, merchants, politicians and artists were all involve in a struggle for liberty, democracy and culture. The American way. This essay doesn't shy away from unpopular views and from polemic. Interesting read.

agghhghhghh! too many words! too few ideas! but a pretty decent point. incidentally, i went to a lecture that this guy gave on monday and he used too many words then, too, and he couldn't get the av equipment to work and i may or may not have almost fallen asleep while sitting in the first row. oh and incidentally, i am supposed to give an hour-long presentation on this book at noon today but instead of cooking up an awesome powerpoint, i am updating . hm.

en los años que siguieron al final de la Segunda Guerra Mundial el locus de la producción artística y la idea del arte moderno cambió de París a Nueva York. Serge Guilbaut cuenta la fascinante historia de cómo, cuando la escena del arte de París había sido arrojada al desorden por la guerra y la ocupación Nazi, y en medio de una campaña ideológica para promover el rol de liderazgo de los Estados Unidos en el mundo de posguerra, el expresionismo abstracto de artistas de Nueva York tale [...]

I read this so long ago, and just today realized that I did. For me, as a student of art, the shift of the world's art center from Paris to New York after the war is a huge disappointment; it is exemplified by the mystique of Surrealism versus the mindlessness and money of Abstract Expressionism.But the book conveys well how this came about, so I can't really shoot the messenger.

This book had a lot of educational value to it, and there were definitely some interesting points to it, but it was a hard read for me. I was very bored, and the academic/essay value in which it was written made it hard to catch my attention.

I've re-read this book a few times. It is a fabulous account of the Cold War politics that affected the burgeoning art scenes. Love love love it!

possibly read.