Cvj: Nicknames of Maitre D's and Other Excerpts from Life

Rating:
Summary: the best Schnabel art book
Review: As a young painter I value art books as my teachers, a removed version of the artist the book covers. Schnabel's book enhances (and probably created) the mythic figure he would become (including his Achilean fall) and offers great images of the works of art he created up until the book's publication. The photos of the work are excellent. The commentary is honest (and heavily colored by Schnabel) and story-like (written with a short "burst" style like a Chuck Pahlaniuk novel). It is nearly embarrassing (which is good). Schnabel is an undervalued painter and mind. This book is an excellent entry point into his thoughts, biography, and work. There are few decent Schnabel books out there and this is by far the best.

Rating:
Summary: the best Schnabel art book
Review: As a young painter I value art books as my teachers, a removed version of the artist the book covers. Schnabel's book enhances (and probably created) the mythic figure he would become (including his Achilean fall) and offers great images of the works of art he created up until the book's publication. The photos of the work are excellent. The commentary is honest (and heavily colored by Schnabel) and story-like (written with a short "burst" style like a Chuck Pahlaniuk novel). It is nearly embarrassing (which is good). Schnabel is an undervalued painter and mind. This book is an excellent entry point into his thoughts, biography, and work. There are few decent Schnabel books out there and this is by far the best.

Rating:
Summary: Autobiography of a modern genius
Review: Though he's better known now as a filmmaker, Julian Schnabel was also one of the leading figures on the American Art Scene in the late '70s and '80s where, for better or worse, his gigantic canvases and infamous arrogance typified the last years of Warhol's New York. You either love the Schnabel of that period or you hate him. Luckily for me, I thought he was a genius and therefore I enjoyed his autobiography, Cvj. Covering his childhood in Texas, Cvj doesn't carry all of the insider gossip that a lot of readers will probably be looking for but it is a rare and fascinating glimpse into the development of one of the greatest artists of modern times.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful autobiographical achievement
Review: What a great book! I came across this book here in Minneapolis by chance recently in a used book store and had a hard time making it to the cashier for I didn't want to stop reading. This book flows like he's sitting across from you telling you in person of his past including his rise in the art world. As I hope you are already aware, he is of the finest painters of all time. I as well don't think of Julian as overly egotistical here, but just a painter who loves painting and is well aware that his work is true and beautiful. There's a bunch of bits I would like to ramble on about, but just buy the thing and it will be one of your favorites. I don't imagine ever parting with this. It's a one of a kind as is he.