"Her thematic approach and user-friendly features (headings, cross-references, and timelines) invite students to make fertile comparisons across time and space."

"Examines how cultural encounters of all kinds - between ethnic, religious, and regional groups, the natural world and technological developments, and individual and political ambitions - have animated and shaped American history."

"Will quickly take its place as a leading textbook on American art. Novel in conception and execution, it paints a nuanced picture of society that is far ahead of those produced by the majority of art historical textbooks."

"Clearly explains concepts, ideas, and the relevant historical contexts for the art. Does an excellent job in giving equal billing to the craft arts, especially in the early centuries. The Hispanic American and Native American sections are excellent."

"An impressive and tightly woven study of the history of American cultural production. One comes away with a sense of richness and diversity. . . . It provides a remarkably thorough outline for a progressively taught course in American art, with enough illustrations and bibliographic references to teach the material without spending months researching it."