Jackson Pollock: An American Saga

I have always liked and admired the work of the painter Jackson Pollock. When I see one of his paintings, I find it difficult to understand it, but its beauty overwhelms and moves me. While his work is amazing, I think that knowing the artist is a great step that helps to understand his art. This is a very long biography, but it is so deeply and carefully researched that I enjoyed every single page of it. I knew that Pollock had been a difficult person, but after reading about the difficulties, sadness, and troubles in his life, I feel a better connection and appreciation of his art. Unfortunately, his life as a child was not easy, and he always struggled with insecurity. Alcoholism, violence, and lack of empathy marked many years of his productive and unproductive life. Nothing is easy to understand in him. He was married to Lee Krasner, a painter as well, and who truly loved him, but it is difficult to conclude whether this love helped or ended up harming him.

An incredible book. Leaves no stone unturned. Researched beyond belief. Besides the historical overview of American Art and its struggle to make its mark in the history of art, the book gives you these deep insights into Pollack's personality, his family, the different roles other artists and people played in his life, his life with Lee Krasner, his frustrations, his growth, his fame. It also takes you out to other parts of America where Pollack grew up, and you get this new landscape into your head, far away from New York where he painted and exhibited. The book is also written very well, a real page turner. It is extremely honest and describes Pollack and the people involved in his life in very open and realistic terms without any "hearts and flowers." It is extremely long but well worth the read especially if you are in any way connected or interested in art. I personally found it very close to my heart since the authors also discuss Ad Reinhardt and Jimmy Ernst, two of my old teachers from Brooklyn College in the late fifties. So proud I knew and studied with people like them who were there in New York when it "was all happening."

This is probably the most detailed biography I've ever read. A methodical account of Pollock's inspirations, attempts, breakthroughs, successes, and failures, as well as the support he required along the way. The authors' central ideas are clearly expressed and usually supported by multiple recountings. Some conclusions seem a little shaky or rely only on one person's recollection 30 years later, so read it with a grain of salt. If you're a fan of Lee Krasner, please also read NINTH STREET WOMEN. Her portrayal in those two books couldn't be more different. An interesting example of authorial intent/bias.

I am not an art critic or a literary critic but I liked this book. I read it on a Kindle. It is a long book. There is much more in it than Jackson Pollock and that is one of the things I like about it. The reader will get a good look at what it was like during the depression. I found that one of the strong points, the authors were not writing about the depression, that was not the focus or subject of the book. For this reason they gave a good description of the times because their view was not shaded by some preconception. They wrote a lot about other people in great detail that, while in contact with Jackson, what they described had no direct impact on Jackson. Additionally, there were quite a few instances when they didn't know what happened between Jackson and others but they inferred happenings. They do state this in the text. I think they give a good view of Jackson and his wife Lee, the types of people they were and how they interacted. There are some pictures but as I read it on a Kindle I cannot vouch for their quality in hard copy. On the Kindle they were poor.

Prompt service. Excellent product as described. Recommend.

Fascinating.

Exquisitely written. Meticulously researched. Never liked Pollock & dislike him more now. He comes across as an obnoxious man of borderline intelligence which made a better subject than a saint.

This is one of the best books out on Jackson Pollock's life. 5-stars