Understanding the Visual Arts (Second edition) - Gateways to Art

We are using this book for Art Appreciation. I just think "it's okay". The problem with this book is that with each chapter the same vocabulary words are repeated over and over, never teaching anything new or rarely teaching something new. The chapters are disappointing because instead of just "Chapter 1" it is broken into 1.0, 1.2, 1.3 and up to 10 which is confusing and unnecessary.
I would never pay full price for this book. I paid ten dollars with a ten dollar expedite ship.

I don't mind so much that textbooks are really expensive, but when they are defective and I have no recourse, I do:

1. Sloppy production by the publisher and/or quality control by the seller: There were thirty pages missing from this book almost in the middle of the book. You can't have pages missing in a textbook as the material is being discussed and you are being tested on it in class.

2. the store's unreasonable policy: It only allows returns (or even seller feedback) for about 30 days. This is particularly irrational and unjust for ~textbooks~ because you are not going to know something like missing pages in the middle until you get around to reading that portion which will not likely happen until the middle of the semester.

A final note: this is the first hundred dollar plus book I have ordered. And yet at that price it is also the first book I can recall which had sections missing from the middle of the book!

The book came really quite fast and it was in a much newer condition than the used Speech book I bought was. I have to hurry and sign up for the Prime membership as soon as finances permits because I really like the Prime shipping that comes with a membership. My trial ends July 15, 2014 but at least I will be able to rent the psychology book that I need beginning July.

Excellent book for those who are art lovers or to make an art lover out of you! I originally purchased this as a Kindle ebook but liked it enough to order a paperback. I enjoyed this book and, now that my course is over, I plan to share it with a couple of teens in the family. By the way, my used paperback arrived on time and without a mark on it. Mrs. B.

Was forced to purchase this book for a college course that I was required to take in order to complete a second degree program in which I was enrolled. But I and my 9 year old daughter enjoyed the book so much that I decided not to keep the book after the class was done. This book is a cultural, historical and artistic experience all wrapped up on one.

I'm giving this book 5 stars because it is full of beautiful artwork. It is well-written and easy to follow for the art appreciation student. Lots of information regarding history context and back stories of the pieces and artists included. I have no negative comments.

I did not even use this book for the class. This book added nothing to my learning experience and was certainly not something I would ever choose to read on my own. Glad I just rented it so I can send it back.

The book itself is new and in great condition.

I am sad this cost so much, but I can always sell it again at the end of the semester. I have never bought such an expensive textbook for a gen ed class!!

The book itself is the correct book and will serve its purpose for the class I am taking. However, it was listed as a paperback when it was actually the pages of the book in a three ring binder. Schools sometimes make books this way, it was just disappointing that it was not an actual bound book.

First thing, I ordered this book as a rental, but received a new book with no rental sticker.
(they better not charge me extra for their mistake)
Secondly, the shipping/processing was all janky and I got charged a day before it arrived at my home.
(which is not okay when you're a broke student)
Third thing, it just now is saying it's on it's way, even though I already have it. Really weird, right?
(someone messed up reaaally bad)

Now onto to the actual book. It's paperback.
But even FOR RENTAL PRICE I paid a whopping $93 bucks plus tax.
THATS RIDICULOUS FOR A PAPERBACK! Not a happy camper with this whole situation.

I do not like this book because it includes Al Gore as an expert on our climate, which he is not. He can't even manage his own house without buying carbon credits from his own company to make himself look good. There are also some discrepancies between the quizzes and the text.

A high overview of art vocabulary, movements and interaction with society, this book covers only the visible part of the iceberg. It is hard to fault a book’s depth when they are purposefully taking on a large range of subjects, but this will only be the start of someone’s study of the visual arts. Some of the topics at the end, like Art and War, Art and Science, and Art and Gender, seem pretty focused for a book of this type, whereas there are no chapters on specific movements and the people behind those moves. Still, not a bad introduction.

I really enjoyed this text. It detailed the history of Art really well, and it went into much detail about different techniques used in the art world. It is very contemporary as it makes comparisons to recent events and objects, but it is a history book so it has to mention the past. I liked the images of different art works, and of photographs. It is easy to read, and very easy to follow.

The information in this book is easily understood and the art examples are awesome! This book has a lot of information about art that you are likely to start noticing in everyday life. I have gained a lot of knowledge from this book and I now feel like I have a better idea about how to create and understand art.