{"product_id":"better-living-through-criticism-how-to-think-about-art-pleasure-beauty-and-truth","title":"Better Living Through Criticism: How to Think About Art, Pleasure, Beauty, and Truth","description":"The New York Times film critic shows why we need criticism now more than ever\nFew could explain, let alone seek out, a career in criticism. Yet what A.O. Scott shows in Better Living Through Criticism is that we are, in fact, all critics: because critical thinking informs almost every aspect of artistic creation, of civil action, of interpersonal life. With penetrating insight and warm humor, Scott shows that while individual critics--himself included--can make mistakes and find flaws where they shouldn't, criticism as a discipline is one of the noblest, most creative, and urgent activities of modern existence.\nUsing his own film criticism as a starting point--everything from his infamous dismissal of the international blockbuster The Avengers to his intense affection for Pixar's animated Ratatouille--Scott expands outward, easily guiding readers through the complexities of Rilke and Shelley, the origins of Chuck Berry and the Rolling Stones, the power of Marina Abramovich and 'Ode on a Grecian Urn.' Drawing on the long tradition of criticism from Aristotle to Susan Sontag, Scott shows that real criticism was and always will be the breath of fresh air that allows true creativity to thrive. \"The time for criticism is always now,\" Scott explains, \"because the imperative to think clearly, to insist on the necessary balance of reason and passion, never goes away.\"\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 0143109979\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: DBV.0143109979.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Scott, A. O.\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: Gently used with minimal wear on the corners and cover. A few pages may contain light highlighting or writing, but the text remains fully legible. Dust jacket may be missing, and supplemental materials like CDs or codes may not be included. May be ex-library with library markings. Ships promptly!  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Dream Books Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41898199154746,"sku":"DBV.0143109979.G","price":8.29,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/6011\/0138\/files\/0143109979-0.jpg?v=1793937541","url":"https:\/\/shop.dreambooksco.com\/products\/better-living-through-criticism-how-to-think-about-art-pleasure-beauty-and-truth","provider":"Dream Books Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}