The London Review of Books has a review of the book Mirror of the World: A New History of Art by the author Julian Bell. The review by Peter Campbell is what is to be expected of the London Review. That is to say that it is comprehensive, informative and knowledgeable on the subject matter. Mr. Campbell is very fond of Mirror of the World and compares it with the last great art history The Story of Art. The usual problems with a comprehensive undertaking such as a history of art (or music) such as addressing the shear scope of information are pointed out and also the personal note that sometimes words just get in the way of enjoying a piece of art work, a criticism that Mr. Bell seems to fully recognize. Furthermore, Mr. Campbell establishes the tone of the book and its value not just to the art connoisseur but also to the less educated art lover. The review also gives us an adequate amount of background information on Mr. Bell so that we can see how he has crafted his book and why it may be of interest.
But more than just being informative, the review is fun to read. Mr. Campbell describes the work by saying "... a large scale account of the world art is mapped onto a geo-chronological structure, but on traverses these wide historical and geographical territories by narrow paths that cross more often than you might expect."
The end of the review degrades into Mr. Campbell's personal musings on art and have little to do with the book itself. This is a typical endeavor of the expert critic and I feel it has no place in a review. It does not tell me about the book, nor does it really help to appreciate the book. If I wanted to know Mr. Campbell's opinions on art I would buy his book.

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