Rating: 
Summary: interesting
Review: Simplified historical description of art from the perspective of an authoritarian male, white, European, German emigre in Britain who decided exclude quite a lot. One of the results is the canonization of what's shown.The text is circular, uninteligent, totally ignores the socio-cultural space in which art work is produced, spends some time dealing with 'creation'. Compare Winckelmann's explantion of the character of ancient Greek Art with Gombrich's own words in the section about Greek Art. It's the same argument! I appreciate enourmously Gombrich's work on the Renaissance but this one is a money making book! No wonder they've sold more 6 million copies! It raises no questions and 'naturalizaes' everything. That's what people like ... Not my cup of tea!
Rating: 
Summary: JAW-DROPPINGLY BRILLIANT
Review: There are many good books on art. There are some great ones. And then there are all-time classics. "The Story of Art" belongs in the third category.
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Summary: THE GREATEST INTRO TO ART IMAGINABLE
Review: There are many good books on art. There are some great ones. And then there are all-time classics. "The Story of Art" belongs to the third category.
Rating:
Summary: A reference book.
Review: This book is concise, even though fairly comprehensive. It gives beginers in this field the necessary basis and never gets boring. One reads and learns, and enjoys the many pictures in the book. Gombrich is simple, clear, and above all, he loves the master pieces he introduces. He makes one discover the major periods, the major movements and also the life of the major Masters. It is as instructing as a History book, and as captivating as a Novel: the Story of Art is definitely a good title! The first book one should have on the subject.
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Summary: art history in the essentials
Review: this is a wonderfully conceived and written history of western art from cave painting to the late 20th century. gombrich tells the story by focusing on the essential ideas or achievements characteristic of each artist and art epoch. each chapter is about 5 or 6 pages of text and several large format art reproductions (there are several fold out images of works such as botticelli's "birth of venus" or pollock's "one"). the narrative is conversational, concise, well informed, and extremely intelligent; the book reads as though you are strolling through an immense museum with gombrich at your side, commenting on paintings and sculptures as you go. gombrich manages to teach the reader how to look at art at the same time he explains the main historical developments and style points of each movement or period. new students of art will find the book is a pleasurable and clear guide; experienced readers will enjoy gombrich's judicious use of detail and selection. a bibliography, chronological charts of art epochs and artists' lives, maps of europe and an index conclude the book.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best
Review: This is the finest introduction to western art available today. It is a perfect gift, particularly for someone planning to visit Europe's great museums and churches over the coming year.
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Summary: Invaluable art history tome
Review: This ranks among the very best of _any_ "history" narrative (in all categories, not just art) that I have ever read. It's absolutely amazing how the author incorporates such a wonderfully cogent yet friendly and comprehensible narrative style into the book. The text is never boring (unlike many "art history" publications) and all works discussed are accompanied by a nice reproduction, including some spectacular fold-outs. This book (first published in 1950, and now in its 16th edition), was/is intended as an art history primer but is suitable for anyone who wishes to pleasantly and painlessly brush up on their knowledge of "fine art". As a complement to this great book, I recommend Janson's "History of Art for Young People", Sixth Edition. The latter is for all ages, not just "young people". It too merits highest marks!
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Summary: This book is A-1!!!!!!
Review: When it comes to art, I am an idiot. But this book is the perfect amount of basics, insights, and neat pictures that it is highly informative, yet also highly entertaining. This combination is rare, especially in any book that is the size of a textbook. I cannot stress enough how much this book will help you understand the concepts and theories behind such words as "Renaissance", "Impressionism" and other words you have heard but might not have really understood. Buy this book, it is worth every penny and more.
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Summary: The BEST History of Art Ever Written!!!!
Review: Whenever people mention art or art history, I think back to my Humanities classes at Michigan State. Gombrich's "The Story of Art" was a delighful text. Thorough, yet written in a way that was understandable to someone with very little exposure to art and all the nuances. "The Story of Art" makes the "Study" of art enjoyable. I have often regretted re-selling my text back to the book store since it would have made a wonderful reference. How delighted I am to find this book to still be available!!!
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