Art That Changed the World: Transformative Art Movements and the Paintings That Inspired Them by Simon Schama is a comprehensive guide to some of the most influential art movements in history. From Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism, this book covers it all, providing readers with an in-depth look at the artists who made these movements possible and the paintings that defined them. One of the things I love about this book is the way Schama tells stories through his writing. He brings each movement to life by discussing the social and political climate of the time, as well as the personal struggles and triumphs of the artists involved. This helps readers understand not just the art itself, but also the context in which it was created. Another strength of this book is its visual appeal. The author includes numerous photographs of paintings from each movement, allowing readers to see the works for themselves and appreciate their beauty. Additionally, Schama's writing style is engaging and easy to read, making this a great choice for anyone interested in art history. Overall, I highly recommend Art That Changed the World: Transformative Art Movements and the Paintings That Inspired Them to anyone looking for an insightful and visually stunning guide to some of the most important art movements in history. Art: A Visual History by Eleanor Heartney is a comprehensive overview of the history of art, from prehistoric times to the present day. This book covers everything from ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece to modern art movements like Pop Art and Conceptual Art. One of the things I love about this book is its accessibility. The author writes in an engaging style that makes even complex topics easy to understand, making it a great choice for anyone interested in art history but who may not have a background in the subject. Additionally, Heartney includes numerous photographs and illustrations throughout the book, allowing readers to see examples of each movement and style discussed. Another strength of this book is its breadth. The author covers so many different periods and movements that it's impossible to feel like you've missed anything important. Whether you're interested in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics or contemporary street art, there's something for everyone in Art: A Visual History. Overall, I highly recommend Art: A Visual History to anyone looking for a comprehensive and engaging guide to the history of art. Artists: Their Lives and Works by Hugh Honour and John Fleming is a classic textbook on the lives and works of some of the most famous artists in history. From Leonardo da Vinci to Vincent van Gogh, this book covers it all, providing readers with an in-depth look at each artist's life, work, and legacy. One of the things I love about this book is its depth. The authors provide a wealth of information on each artist, including biographical details, analysis of their works, and historical context. This allows readers to truly understand not just the art itself, but also the cultural and social factors that influenced it. Another strength of this book is its accessibility. While it may be more challenging than some other books in this category, Honour and Fleming write in a clear and engaging style that makes even complex topics easy to understand. Additionally, the book includes numerous photographs and illustrations throughout, allowing readers to see examples of each artist's work for themselves. Overall, I highly recommend Artists: Their Lives and Works to anyone looking for an in-depth guide to some of the most famous artists in history. Barron's AP Art History with Online Tests by Elizabeth A. Levy is a comprehensive study guide for students preparing for the Advanced Placement (AP) exam in art history. This book covers everything from ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece to modern art movements like Pop Art and Conceptual Art, providing readers with an in-depth look at each topic. One of the things I love about this book is its accessibility. The author writes in a clear and engaging style that makes even complex topics easy to understand, making it a great choice for students who may not have a background in art history. Additionally, the book includes numerous photographs and illustrations throughout, allowing readers to see examples of each topic discussed. Another strength of this book is its comprehensive coverage. The author covers all the major topics on the AP exam syllabus, ensuring that students are fully prepared for the test. Additionally, the online tests included in the book allow students to practice their skills and identify areas where they need improvement. Overall, I highly recommend Barron's AP Art History with Online Tests to anyone looking for a comprehensive study guide for the AP exam in art history. The Story of Art by Ernst Gombrich is a classic textbook on the history of art, from prehistoric times to the present day. This book covers everything from ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece to modern art movements like Pop Art and Conceptual Art, providing readers with an in-depth look at each movement and style discussed. One of the things I love about this book is its depth. Gombrich provides a wealth of information on each topic, including biographical details, analysis of their works, and historical context. This allows readers to truly understand not just the art itself, but also the cultural and social factors that influenced it. Another strength of this book is its accessibility. While it may be more challenging than some other books in this category, Gombrich writes in a clear and engaging style that makes even complex topics easy to understand. Additionally, the book includes numerous photographs and illustrations throughout, allowing readers to see examples of each topic discussed. Overall, I highly recommend The Story of Art to anyone looking for an in-depth guide to the history of art. The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia by Hugh Honour and John Fleming is a comprehensive visual encyclopedia of art from prehistoric times to the present day. This book covers everything from ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece to modern art movements like Pop Art and Conceptual Art, providing readers with an in-depth look at each movement and style discussed through photographs and illustrations. One of the things I love about this book is its accessibility. The authors write in a clear and engaging style that makes even complex topics easy to understand, making it a great choice for anyone interested in art history but who may not have a background in the subject. Additionally, the book includes numerous photographs and illustrations throughout, allowing readers to see examples of each movement and style discussed. Another strength of this book is its breadth. The authors cover so many different periods and movements that it's impossible to feel like you've missed anything important. Whether you're interested in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics or contemporary street art, there's something for everyone in The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia. Overall, I highly recommend The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia to anyone looking for a comprehensive and engaging guide to the history of art through photographs and illustrations. Florence: The Paintings & Frescoes 1250-1743 by Simon Schama is a comprehensive guide to some of the most famous paintings and frescoes from Florence, Italy during the period 1250-1743. This book covers everything from the Renaissance to Baroque periods, providing readers with an in-depth look at each artist's life, work, and legacy. One of the things I love about this book is its depth. Schama provides a wealth of information on each topic, including biographical details, analysis of their works, and historical context. This allows readers to truly understand not just the art itself, but also the cultural and social factors that influenced it. Another strength of this book is its accessibility. While it may be more challenging than some other books in this category, Schama writes in a clear and engaging style that makes even complex topics easy to understand. Additionally, the book includes numerous photographs and illustrations throughout, allowing readers to see examples of each topic discussed. Overall, I highly recommend Florence: The Paintings & Frescoes 1250-1743 to anyone looking for an in-depth guide to some of the most famous paintings and frescoes from Florence during the period 1250-1743. The Story of Paintings: A History of Art for Children by Simon Schama is a comprehensive visual history of art, written specifically for children. This book covers everything from prehistoric times to contemporary art movements, providing young readers with an engaging and accessible introduction to the world of art. One of the things I love about this book is its accessibility. The author writes in a clear and engaging style that makes even complex topics easy to understand for children. Additionally, the book includes numerous photographs and illustrations throughout, allowing young readers to see examples of each topic discussed. Another strength of this book is its breadth. Schama covers so many different periods and movements that it's impossible to feel like you've missed anything important. Whether you're interested in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics or contemporary street art, there's something for everyone in The Story of Paintings: A History of Art for Children. Overall, I highly recommend The Story of Paintings: A History of Art for Children to anyone looking for an engaging and accessible guide to the world of art for children. The Way I Heard It by Mike Mankoff is a humorous take on some of the most famous events in history, including the creation of art movements like Impressionism and Abstract Expressionism. This book covers everything from Leonardo da Vinci's failed flying machine to Vincent van Gogh's self-portraits, providing readers with an entertaining and lighthearted look at the lives and works of some of the most famous artists in history. One of the things I love about this book is its humor. Mankoff writes in a playful style that will have readers laughing out loud while learning about art history. Additionally, the book includes numerous photographs and illustrations throughout, allowing readers to see examples of each topic discussed. Another strength of this book is its accessibility. While it may be more challenging than some other books in this category, Mankoff writes in a clear and engaging style that makes even complex topics easy to understand for anyone interested in art history but who may not have a background in the subject. Overall, I highly recommend The Way I Heard It to anyone looking for an entertaining and lighthearted guide to some of the most famous events in art history. The Art of Game of Thrones: Official Book by Ramin Setoodeh is a comprehensive visual guide to the artwork inspired by the popular television series Game of Thrones. This book covers everything from the show's iconic characters and locations to its intricate plot twists, providing readers with an in-depth look at the art that brought this world to life. One of the things I love about this book is its accessibility. The author writes in a clear and engaging style that makes even complex topics easy to understand for anyone interested in Game of Thrones but who may not have a background in art history. Additionally, the book includes numerous photographs and illustrations throughout, allowing readers to see examples of each topic discussed. Another strength of this book is its depth. Setoodeh provides a wealth of information on each topic, including biographical details about the artists involved, analysis of their works, and historical context. This allows readers to truly understand not just the art itself, but also the cultural and social factors that influenced it.