The Shock of the New

Robert Hughes. Alfred A. Knopf, $49.95 (444pp) ISBN 978-0-679-72876-4

The author of The Fatal Shore and Time magazine's art critic here presents a greatly expanded version of a PBS television series on modern art, and includes some 270 color illustrations. Although he frequently deals in generalities, ``choice anecdotes, telling characterizations, witty observations flow from his pen,'' lauded PW . The ``chapters bristle with apt insights.'' (Aug.)

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