I’ve been asked for some book recommendations from my recent reading. I’ve been trying to catch up on books about art in the 1950s and 1960s and have two recommendations. The first is Catherine Lampert’s short, but beautifully written (and beautifully produced) book about Frank Auerbach which tells one everything one wants to know about his work from her long and deep knowledge of him. The second is the amazingly enjoyable book about the life and work of Bryan Robertson, The Life of Bryan. When I die, I would like to be the subject of a book which is as comprehensive, funny, truthful and generous. It makes it only too obvious why he wasn’t appointed to the Tate as he hoped – he was still quite young, was magnificently disorganised, never did any planning and, according to John Hoyland, worked from 9 to 5 (9 at night to 5 in the morning); but he supported the work of an amazingly wide range of artists, not just the Abstract Expressionists.
I am open to suggestions of other good books about the period
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
It was my partner’s birthday a couple of weeks ago and I bought him a book about the Independent Group and exhbiition design – The Long Front of Culture by Kevin Lotery. He hasn’t read it yet but it is nicely produced by MIT Press. The book I bought him on another occasion which he has read and loved is Lynda Nead’s The Tiger and The Smoke. Art and Culture in Post-War Britain. I’m sure you already know these but the readers of your blog and these comments might not.
Dear Joan, Yes, I’m just reading Lyn Nead’s excellent book – particularly good on film – and will put Kevin Lotery’s next on my list. Thank you. Charles