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CHOICE Review

Illustration books are very popular today. Two recent publications-American Illustration Showcase and European Illustration: The Eleventh Annual-point to the distinct audiences for which such books are published. The first is what may be called a ``portfolio'' book. It is intended for use by art directors of advertising agencies to help them select freelance talent. Although some discretion is exercised in the acceptance of work to be included, it is largely an advertising vehicle for the artists. The artists or their representatives pay a fee to ``buy'' a page, and within a general format they lay out several illustrations to show their skills. Prominently included are names, addresses, and phone numbers along with occasional advertising copy. A complete index of artists follows the work. One rarely finds captions or other explanatory notes in American Illustration Showcase or other books of its ilk (Richard Lebenson and Kathleen Creighton's RSVP, 1980, is a well-known example). The purpose of these books is strictly referential for those interested in hiring illustrators. The book is well printed, with full-color illustrations on each page. Unfortunately, because of its nature, the illustrations are of uneven quality. Many are in a pedestrian style or appear dated and trite. There is a tendency to fit four to six illustrations on a page and this causes the reproductions to be small and crowded. Of more interest to the general reading public as well as university students is European Illustration: The Eleventh Annual, ed. by Edward Booth-Clibborn. Here, an attempt is made to present the illustrations in a large format with usually only one illustration per page. The illustrations were selected by a jury and represent the cream of the crop. This is a book that can be used as a research tool and reference tool by the public at large. A full series of these annuals will show the changing attitudes and style of illustration in the late 20th century. European Illustration is well printed and designed. It is a book that-rather than assault the reader-feels warm and friendly as one turns the pages. This is fortunate, as much of the subject matter of the selected illustrations is disturbing and violent in nature. Should a library base its illustration collection on this and its companion series, American Illustration, it would be taking important steps in chronicling the major developments in contemporary pubic art. For undergraduate and graduate students and general readers.-S. Skaggs, University of Louisville