'There is never a dull passage in this book ... Hall manages to retain the intellectual high ground while writing with verve and enthusiasm ' - Frances Spalding, Guardian 'Spirited ... the book's readability and the depth of research give it an engaging pace that makes it especially refreshing' - The Art Newspaper 'Stimulating ... Hall writes with energetic freshness ... Read more... a highly engaged book that raises many questions about this intriguing and still-active genre. It deserves to be widely read' - Literary Review 'Enthralling ... Scattering insights on all sides, Hall's narrative advances through the centuries with masterly vigour' - Observer 'Fascinating, erudite and beautifully produced' - Sunday Times 'Wide-ranging, richly researched and evocatively illustrated ... It is as varied, revelatory and idiosyncratic as the genre which it takes as its subject' - The Times Show Less