How Do We Look: The Body, the Divine, and the Question of Civilization

"The renowned classicist delivers another tantalizing morsel of analysis, this time on 'art, and our reactions to it, over thousands of years and across thousands of miles'.... Yet another triumph for Beard: a joy to read, too short for certain, packed with lessons quickly absorbed." -- Kirkus Reviews [starred review] "Slim yet insightful.... Beard expands her view beyond western Europe to offer an admirable survey of cultures from Egypt to China, Judaism to Christianity, centuries past to the modern era, all while emphasizing the significance of the viewer over the artist.... As Beard emphasizes the power of the context in which we look at and interpret art, she ultimately suggests that civilization itself is a leap of faith. Beard is having fun in this joyfully accessible primer, backed with a robust appendix, for all interested in a new perspective on religion, art, and history." -- Katharine Uhrich, Booklist [starred review] "The title of the book?How Do We Look?could also refer to the physical quality of the book itself. Its design, use, and style harken back to the concise, entertaining, well-made, solid little books popular a few years ago. In that, Beard again explores a means of perceptions (and a practical meaning of educating)... If your summer vacation proved a disappointment, make this little book your consolation." -- Robert S. Davis, New York Journal of Books "Readers will be grateful to have wise, witty Beard as guide and companion... Beard is charming and insightful piece by piece." -- San Francisco Chronicle