Book Description

His name summons up our earliest images of the beloved books we read as children. His illustrations for Scribner's Illustrated Classics (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, The Last of the Mohicans, The Yearling) are etched into the collective memory of generations of readers. He was hailed as the greatest American illustrator of his day. For forty-three years, starting in 1902, N.C. Wyeth painted landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and murals, as well as illustrations for a long shelf of world literature. Yet despite worldwide acclaim, he judged himself a failure, believing that illustration was of no importance.

David Michaelis tells the story of Wyeth's family through four generations -- a saga that begins and ends with tragedy -- and brings to life the huge-spirited, deeply complicated man, and an America that was quickly vanishing.

Reviews (9)

Biography At Its Best
Although I was familiar with the paintings of Andrew & Jamie Wyeth, I wasn't aware of N.C. until I read his letters in Dorie McCullough Lawson's wonderful collection, "Posterity: Letters of Great Americans to Their Children." The brilliant writing in those letters, and the story of the tragic accident that killed him and his little grandson, made me want to know more. It led me to this book. I've just finished it, and can't stop thinking about it. If a novelist made up this saga, one might say it was just too fantastic. And yet the most fantastic thing of all is that it's true. David Michaelis weaves the tale, not just of N.C. Wyeth, but of his family and his times. Although so many people are introduced, the writing is clear and vibrant, and one never loses track of who's who. No novel could be more compelling than this saga, with twists and turns that almost had me gasping. Biography just doesn't get any better than this. Whether or not you're interested in Art, it is well worth your time. Bravo to Mr. Michaelis!

Even for those who have no idea who the Wyeth family is.
I don't know if there is another Family that has continuously contributed to the world of art, and done so with such skill, as the 5 generations of Wyeths whose story is told in this work.

The title of my review may seem a bit odd but I believe those who read this book will find it appropriate. I read this book when it originally was published and then recently read it again. You need not be anything more than someone who loves to read to enjoy this book. While I am a great admirer of Mr. Andrew Wyeth's work and to a lesser extent other members of the Wyeth Family, I have no Art History education. The beauty of this work is that it is an incredible story on it's own, that additionally the story is true with 2 Wyeth Family members still painting, only enhances the reading. The fact this is not fiction makes the story all the more remarkable.

If you have already read about Mr. Andrew Wyeth's work you certainly will gain a great deal of insight as to why he may view his art as he does. Another wonderful book that focuses on Mr. Andrew Wyeth is by Richard Merryman, "Andrew Wyeth A Secret Life". It often seems that great artists in a range of artistic fields seem to have more than their share of drama in their lives. This is certainly the case with this 5 generational span of the Wyeths. There is also a great deal of tragedy and sadness.

Whether or not you are aware of or enjoy the work of The Wyeth Clan, they have and will continue to remain of great importance to Art History. Ranging from the illustrations by N.C Wyeth of dozens of books that are known to us all, to some of the most recognized images in the world as is the case with Andrew Wyeth's "Christina's World" from 1948, chances are you do know of the Wyeths.

The story most don't know is of the woman who is in the mentioned painting, her lifetime, and the stories and paintings that resulted from the house that she is looking towards in the painting. Not all of what you will learn is comfortable, some is sad; some behavior from members of the Family is eccentric to say the least.

What you will experience is a sweeping story that continues to this day. If an endorsement by an internationally acclaimed Artist would help, read what Mr. Barry Moser had to say about this book. And then go look at the book he was illustrating, the work he set aside to read this story. I cannot think of a more reliable recommendation.

Know the Family, know the work, or read as a novel. You will not de disappointed.

An excellent book on NC Wyeth and his oeuvre
I discovered NC Wyeth accidentally as he is not known at all in France. I already had a book with some of his illustrations without any text attached to it so it was with great pleasure I read this enthralling book. What moved me the most was his profound sense of failure regardless of all the praise he was receiving. Michaelis is not so much making Wyeth's pictures talk as making Wyeth's voice heard. It is also a very vivid description of the passing of an era, through the eyes of someone, Wyeth, who is desperate for its passing. As for the book, it is a beautiful edition with carefully chosen illustrations. A great read.

Interesting reading on many levels
Even if the Wyeths had had no artistic legacy, this book would still be fascinating. Michaelis tells a complex and engaging story set in a time of great change in America. Thouroughly entertaining and informative.

Enthralling and meticulous
David Michaelis has exhaustively researched N. C. Wyeth's life, poring through literally thousands of letters and other materials preserved in the Wyeth archive, but his biography is no dry recitation of facts. Through it, N. C. comes alive as a forceful presence, living through an amazing era and NOT exemplifying it. Although his life spanned almost half of the twentieth century, the insular family world he grew up in, then created for himself, was a monumental attempt to preserve the values and morals of the nineteenth century. Barry Moser highly recommended this book to me back in August, and I thank him for it-- as a work of history it is excellent, and as a biography is second to none. ... Read more

Book Description

As famous in their day as the authors whose stories they illustrated, the six artists profiled in this nostalgic collection-N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, Harvey Dunn, Frank Schoonover, Philip R. Goodwin and Dean Cornwell-used their unique talents at narrative depiction to bring to life places and times in ways no modern medium has surpassed.Vividly reproduced directly from the original paintings that illustrated the pages of popular books and magazines of up to a century ago, many of the pictures are seen here for the first time, just as the artists painted them. The paintings presented in this handsome volume lured readers to the exciting adventure tales of buccaneers and cowboys, hunters and outlaws, pirate fiction and historical romance written by Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, James Branch Cabell, and other favored writers of the day. Although commissioned to illustrate the written word, these storytelling works of art can stand alone. No text is needed to understand the drama of Howard Pyle's Dead Men Tell No Tales, N. C. Wyeth's The Magic Pool, Frank Schoonover's A Northern Mist, and the dozens of other captivating paintings presented here. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Beau livre
i m french so i say it with my word : c'est trés beau !

One of the best books on American Artists / Illustrators
This book covers very well some of the most important people in American History. N.C. Wyeth,Howard Pyle, Dean Cornwell,Harvey Dunn, Frank Schoonover and Philip Goodwin have illustrated the turn of the 1800's to 1900's with the same spirited passion that bred our great country. It's this great passion that is given to the pictures that they created that seperates their work from photographs which are just taken. Looking at the Illustrations shows you that Pyle was successful in creating an American art which will always be a foundation for Illustrators to follow.

Surveys the arts of N.C. Wyeth and the Brandywine artists
Visions Of Adventure surveys the arts of N.C. Wyeth and the Brandywine artists, providing a lavish display packed with color plates and paintings by Pyle, Wyeth, Dunn, and others. Histories and backgrounds of each featured work accompany the fold-out and full-page illustrations and make for an excellent review. Highly recommended.

Visions of Adventure: N.C. Wyeth and the Brandywine Artists
Incredible collection of paintings and the stories that go along with them. Colorful with spectacular detail of the famous paintings of a time gone by. Amazing how the author was able to put together a collection of this magnitude. A must have for anyone who appreciates art. It is perfect as a gift to that special person you care about. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

So close to perfection...
This is what a book about N.C. Wyeth's work should look like. It contains crisp and colorful reproductions and they are shown in full detail. It's only a shame they don't show enough.. Wyeth produced over 2,000 illustrations in his lifetime.. it wouldn't hurt to show more. Great buy though. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Disappointment that the illustrations are black & white.
It should be noted, and future buyers beware, the photographs of the illustrations and paintings are in BLACK & WHITE.Why on earth anyone would reproduce these marvelous pieces without their original color is beyond me.It's as bad as only printing the left half of the illustration or the right half but not showing it in it's entirety.

... Read more

Reviews (2)

Brilliant Artist, Trashy Publication
What an insult to a brilliant artist. Whomever was in charge of laying out and putting together this publication missed the mark. First of all the pictures are small postcard size tear outs. They are so small in fact that they fit four to a page. And there are so many incredible paintings of Wyeth that never see the light of day in this farse. Don't get suckered in with the "Full Color" title. There is nothing full about it. Please, save your money and look elswhere to enjoy the full experience of Wyeth's brilliance.

Disappointed
I ordered this book hoping to frame a few of the illustrations for my son. Unfortunately 24 Full-Color Cards does not mean full size. The book dimensions are listed as .15 x 12.05 x 9.07. A 9x12 inch picture is small, but big enough for what I wanted. However, the book had four illustrations per page. Each illustration was smaller than 4x6 inches. Not big enough to enjoy or to frame. The art work of N.C. Wyeth is wonderful, but this book does not do it justice. ... Read more

Book Description

From approximately 1912-1945, when the renowned illustrator N.C. Wyeth was most active, the country was fighting under the American flag, the symbol of freedom.Patriotism was every citizen's duty, and N.C. Wyeth's work epitomized all that was American.By the time Jamie Wyeth came of age, the country was once again at war, but to some "patriotism" no longer meant marching off to battle but marching in protest.The contrast between these two eras comes alive in vibrant art of two generations of Wyeths, augmented by provocative essays on the subject by Brokaw, Michaelis, and Smith. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

We need the pirates.
This video is very close to being great, but I wish the producers would update it with N.C.Wyeth's pirate paintings, and Jamie Wyeth's new painting "Night Vision."
I bought the video "Patriots and Pirates" because it seems to fit in with the theme of Liberty against the Law that my English composition classes was studying. The beginnings of liberty on sailing ships, the American Revolution, and the modern take on patriotism: all these appear in Howard Pyle, N.C.Wyeth, and Jamie Wyeth's work. Jamie Wyeth called this video "Pirates and Patriots," which seems to have more of a ring to it. Please make a new version with the pirates, to complete what was a great idea for a video.

The Two Greatest Wyeths
This book shows the comparison of grandfather (N.C) and grandson's (Jamie) work. An excellent study. I have always considerend N.C.'s work superior to any of the other Wyeths, Andrew specifically and in particular. This book pretty much affirms it. Check it out.

Where are the Pirates?
It should be called "Patriots and Portraits". I have the book and went to see the show, but the title is a misnomer. You will be very disappointed if you are looking for N. C. Wyeth's pirate paintings. The are no Pirate paintings. The N.C. Wyeth paintings are mainly war and patriotic painting. The Jamie Wyeth paintings are mainly portraits of patriots.

Where are the Pirates???
I have the book and went to see the show, but the title is a misnomer. It should be called "Patriots and Portraits". You will be very disappointed if you are looking for N. C. Wyeth's Pirate paintings. The are no Pirate paintings. The N.C. Wyeth paintings are mainly war and patriotic paintings. The Jamie Wyeth paintings are mainly portraits of patriots.

A book to please all senses
This book offers many nostalgic moments. It is pure delight to rediscover N.C.Wyeth's posters. "One Nation" speaks to and illustrates various periods of the history of our nation through the outstanding work of James Wyeth and the great illustrations by his grandfather, N.C. Wyeth. The comments by Tom Brokaw are very well done. This book is so very well organized. It appeals to so many of the senses as well as the nostalgic emotions of the WW II generation, the Kennedy generation as well as bringing some of our earliest Presidents to life. Especially enjoyed the drawings of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. ... Read more