Sunday, March 04, 2007

Jed Perl's New Art City: Manhattan at Mid-Century

What impelled me, yesterday, to suddenly rush off and see a show at the Columbia Museum of Art?

Reading this book, which is now in paperback. I started it months ago but had to return it before I could finish it. Now thankfully I not only have it in my sweaty little hands but can underline to my heart's content.

I shouldn't say much about books that I haven't finished and may want to discuss later -- I should reserve judgment -- but Perl is such a gem of a writer. Like Robert Hughes, he's a superb explainer, and never resorts to a lot of academic cant. He's inspired by his subject, and he inspires you in return.

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