A really useful read for a novice in art photography like myself, covering many of the recognised art photographers of the 20th century and the variation of work they have produced.
The artist produce work in vast diversity and I feel is well logged within this book.
The coverage of every major school, style and artist is a great deal to cover in 1 book, but it seems to cover all the bases. For me that is also the downfall of the book - where the work of so many photographers however diverse is touched but not in any depth. It covers but one or two pieces of work by probably hundred plus artists such Gillian Wearing, Andreas Gursky and Jeff Wall.
Split into objective chapters such as "The Urban and everyday ", "cultures of nature" "the art of reproduction." With each chapter litterd with examples of the works of other great photographic artisits.
My personal favourite was "Just looking" which was watching people during normal and slightly bizarre events. Almost social experiments caught on camera.
An interesting book, but I feel ultimately tries to" cover the world whilst living on an island."