I can honestly say that I didn't know the first thing about art, or it's origins, when I started reading this, but the explanations are so clear and the points got across so well, that I really do feel that I now have some kind of grasp on the subject.

Yes, it looks like a text book, and I suppose that in some respects you could indeed class it as such. However, it's written in such an easy going style, and in laymans terms too, that it's almost like having one-to-one tuition with the author. Luckily, great pains have been taken to ensure that the book doesn't degenerate into complete waffle - it manages to be consise and only as much is said in order to get a point across.
Still, I feel that there is enough detail in the book that it would, perhaps, provide a useful reference to those who already have an understanding of the field. (Though obviously don't hold me to that, as I'm just a 'beginner'!)

The book has plenty of illustrations, but not too many so as to make it of an unmanageable size. A few larger sized pull-out illustrations are also included, which is a nice touch - the reader is spared having to dig around for a magnifying glass to appreciate the picture!

I feel that I can look around, at arcitecture, sculpture, or paintings, and appreciate them much more than I could before - I can take time to think about where and when in history something was created and know what the artist was trying to produce.


A throroughly absorbing read   January 29, 2002
 33 out of 34 found this review helpful

I wanted to find out more about Art and this book was recommended to me by an expert guide in the National Gallery. I finally got it as a present this Christmas. I had intended to skip the "early stuff" but found myself unable to do so by the quality of writing and the absorbing story. The only drawback is that it's not so easy to carry. All in all a great book - no wonder it has sold over 6m copies since it was originally published in 1950.


Still the best introduction around   June 13, 2001
 20 out of 22 found this review helpful

This is the book from which I taught myself art history. And I still do not think there is a better introduction available.


A superb read!   May 26, 2000
 39 out of 39 found this review helpful

In high school I acquired just a very superficial knowledge of the history of Art and, though I studied Engineering at the university, I have always felt a deep need to know something more on Art. Professor Gombrich's book is THE book that has helped me in learning what the "purpose" of Art is, how to judge a picture, a statue or a building. This book has given me new fresh pleasure in the knowledge of the Old Masters but has also taught me how to appreciate "Modern Art", which had always seemed to me hard to understand. "The Story of Art" is a marvellous account of the whole history of humankind, seen through the glasses of Art. I think that all Art lovers should read this book: it will give them both physical and intellectual pleasure.


The most thorough and intelligent intro to art history   May 16, 2000
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

If you take the time and trouble to read this book from cover to cover it is an eye opening and revelatory experience. It is also fascinating and completely different from most art history books which cram in unrelated paragraphs of text to support individual art works. This book you can read as a continuous narrative covering over 1000 years of art history. Three million readers cannot be wrong.