The New York Times guide to the arts of the 20th century

This four-volume work is divided into 10 sections The New York Times that describes the political, social and historical context of the decade, then describes developments in the arts: 1900-1910: Ken Emerson 1910-1920: Don Bruckner 1920-1930: Don Bruckner 1930-1940: Ed Rothstein 1940-1950: A O Scott 1950-1960: John Leonard 1960-1970: Patti Cohen 1970-1980: John Leonard 1980-1990: Ed Rothstein 1990-2000: Elvis Mitchell The essay is followed by articles, features and reviews that appeared in The Times during that decade, chosen because they reflect the most significant events in the arts of that decade.

These genres are covered: art and architecture; music; dance; theatre; film; and literature.

Television is also covered from the 1950s. The panel of Times critics who have made these choices is comprised of: Art: Holland Cotter Music: Bernard Holland Dance: Anna Kisselgoff Theatre: Mel Gussow Film: A O Scott and Elvis Mitchell Literature: Don Bruckner Television: Julie Salamon The four volumes also include some 1,000 photographs, illustrating literature and the arts, that appeared in The New York Times during the 20th century.

Convenient time-lines are included for each decade. and a comprehensive index concludes the volumes. The New York Times Guide to the Arts of the 20th Century promises to be the definitive source for information about and explication of the arts of the last century.