Rating: 
Summary: Gives understanding to a tormented artist
Review: I will agree with one of the reviews already posted. This book gives a very good detailed account of the overdoneness of the 80's. Therein lies why this book is such an important study on such an important artist. He was molded by his times. Basquiat's art is flashy and full of message. Okay that 80's were full of flash, so maybe the message part comes better into the 90's. Either way it is book worth reading. Samo, you died to soon. R.I.P.
Rating: 
Summary: Basquiat by Phoebe Hoban
Review: It took me three years to finally had the courage to read this book. I was afraid it was another hype about Basquiat. I was there during the 70s when he was known as Samo. When he sold his painted sweat shirts in Patricia Fields, I was selling my silkscreen anckle socks in Capezio, @ just a minute down the block. I recall his half shaven head dancing in Reggae parties back in the days and I also remember talking to him one day in 1983, not having an idea of how famous he had gotten. Reading Ms Hoban's book I finally had a realistic glance at this dude we had the impression to know. It was an eye opener. I understood not only the man, ( being a Puerto Rican artist myself) but the color artist in the midst of that up-coming yuppy world of "radical chic" ( as Samo used to write on walls) This book is a social revelation about the 80s. What we learn about Basquiat should be enough for us to draw conclusions about the Artist. A typical "minority" freak stepping out of the 70s, influenced by Bill Burrough's evil and deceptive aura and encouraged by irresponsible upper middle class people without ethics or love for human kind. The book is clear and truly authentic. Filled with good faith for future generations to know the truth.
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Summary: Phonebe Hoban is a great Basquiat expert
Review: Phoebe Hoban has shown that she is a great Basquiat expert. She spent 7 years to do research for this book, and that is why the book is filled with credible interviews, comments and fascinating stories. She is so honest and decent, and she is not afraid of affending bad guys or anyone for that matter. She even named all those drug dealers who sold stuff to JMB. I solute and applause to her great effort. In the end of the book, she also did not forget to write her visit to JMB's mother who is apparently suffering from her fraigile psychological condition. The writer told us the vivid scence at her home. The writer asked us not to forget this: while JMB's father got millions dollars by inhariting the entire JMB fortune, his mother who has been long divorced from his father, Basquiat senior, has been living in absolute poverty. Lawyers, this is your chance to make it. Even if you do not have much good conscience, just think about the estimated value of the JMB estate - (now valued over $500 million !) you should go and and visit JMB's mother today and start sueing JMB estate which is run by JMB's father. (by the legal arrangement, each party has 50%) This is one thing JMB himself will be pleased.
Rating:
Summary: Almost as great as his art...
Review: This book is an amazing view into the world that Jean-Michel lived in... It shows all his glories and his pitfalls and it shows how both equally "made" and "broke" him as an artist as a person. A few places were a little dry, but for the most part, the book was amazing and i was sad to see it end. Jean-Michel lived the "good" life and Hoban portrays all that he saw and did - almost from his eyes... A great read... even if you aren't a fan of Basquit.
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Summary: GREAT FICTION
Review: This book is great fiction...I knew Jean Michel Basquiat in the early 80s'. He was not a simple person and this book envelopes him into a character that is easy fiction. I would suggest "Widow Basquiat" by Jennifer Clement, for a closer study of the artist.
Rating:
Summary: Basquiat: We hardly Knew Ye
Review: This book runs the gamut between gossip, stories of 80's excesses, and art history. The book is not so much a biography of Basquiat, rather a peek into the insipid world of the 1980's New York art scene. It has the usual "hangers-on" bottom-feeding on the talents of others, the "know nothing" art buyers driving prices up on marginal works, and the merciless art dealers who appear oddly enough to be the victims in this book. Basquiat does not deserve glorification, after all he was a drug-soaked addict and mooch, and this book provides none. It is a lively read that brings to the forefront the artists that drove the scene, the dealers that made them famous, and the host of actors that shaped the movement.
Rating:
Summary: Basquiat: We hardly Knew Ye
Review: This book runs the gamut between gossip, stories of 80's excesses, and art history. The book is not so much a biography of Basquiat, rather a peek into the insipid world of the 1980's New York art scene. It has the usual "hangers-on" bottom-feeding on the talents of others, the "know nothing" art buyers driving prices up on marginal works, and the merciless art dealers who appear oddly enough to be the victims in this book. Basquiat does not deserve glorification, after all he was a drug-soaked addict and mooch, and this book provides none. It is a lively read that brings to the forefront the artists that drove the scene, the dealers that made them famous, and the host of actors that shaped the movement.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Fictitious
Review: Unfortunately I agreed to be interviewed for this book and I would just like to warn readers that this is a total distortion of the life, spirit, work, and importance of J.M.Basquiat. If you want to read rumors, innuendo, and about MONEY and GOSSIP, read this.
Rating:
Summary: 'samo lives'
Review: Well written, interesting, and a look into the world of art dealers, drugs; and best of all Basquiat's life of symbols. Everything regarding Basquiat/Warhol relationship... the best part of the story. Highly recommended if your interests fall into this area.
Rating:
Summary: a horrible book!!!
Review: when i first heard of this book coming out i was really excited, not knowing much about the artist beyond his relationship with warhol. after reading this book it looks like the author didnt know much about the artist either.
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