Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

National Trust publications are generally sturdy information sources, and Arnold's compilation is no exception. It satisfies both reference book and armchair reading requirements. While not a comprehensive survey of art available to the public--some private institutions declined coverage for security reasons, and places of worship with artworks were not included--this book offers geographically organized coverage that is extensive and pertinent. The three principal ``national'' museum collections are treated together before the book is divided into regional sections. Entries on individual museums, galleries, and houses contain historical summaries and concise descriptions of holdings. Major works are usually reproduced as illustrations. One truly sumptuous feature of this work is that all reproductions are in good quality color. An excellent purchase for public libraries and most academic collections.-- Paula A. Baxter, NYPL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Arnold's guide describes some 550 British and Irish fine art collections open to the public, including 81 National Trust properties. The scope is limited to "fine" art, specifically excluding "decorative" art. Three background chapters are followed by eight chapters on specific collections in geographical arrangement. There are 30 pages of detailed full color maps on a ten-miles-to-the-inch scale; a gazetteer with sections on England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, each subarranged by county; and an index to artists, works, and collectors, as well as to the numerous color reproductions. This volume will supersede in usefulness Michael Jacobs and Paul Stirton's The Knopf Traveler's Guides to Art: Great Britain and Ireland (1984). It is on a par with such excellent guides to Continental art as Fran,coise Olivier-Michel and Claude Gisler's Guide to the Art Treasures of France (1966) and Giuliano Dogo's Treasures of Italy (1976). For Britain and Ireland it is more useful than guides with broader geographic scope. Essential for all academic and most public libraries, as well as for art-loving travellers.-F. Blum, Eastern Michigan University