Far be it for me to discourage reading but... The review by Deborah Solomon in the NYTimes is very generous. "Witty + impressively observed" is exceedingly generous. Apparently the writer, Samantha Peale was an assistant to jeff koons for four years. She probably signed a contract, restricting public disclosure of her time in his employment. Too bad. In any case this book, The American Painter Emma Dial isn't a very insightful or well written or even, sigh, interesting telling of the North East art scene. Hey, my years at NSCAD (Nova Scotia College of Art + Design) in Halifax during the 70's would provide richer fodder. It was a hotbed of drugs, sex, free beer, wealthy American kids + an incredible roster of teachers (Jeff Wall , Eric Fischl,Robin Peck, Dennis Young, etc) + visiting artists...Joseph Beuys , Lawrence Weiner, Vito Acconci, Alex Collville, Robert Frank, Carl Andre, etc. etc. -- notice, not heavy on women profs or visitors). Perhaps there's a novel in there...?
