Artists Books: A Critical Survey of the Literature is the first and only published guide to writings on artists books. It contains five lucid essays -- including issues such as definition and identity, disputed origins, and current status -- and a carefully researched, thorough bibliography. An important reference tool for scholars, librarians, critics, collectors, and general readers. "Stefan Klima's text is an invaluable resource for anyone wishing to explore the development of critical debates on artists books. Beginning with documentation from the late 1960s Klima carefully charts the discussion of several central issues: the identity of artists books, their disputed origins, and their current status. His summary of debates is handled with the even-handedness of an outsider; he maps the sometimes fractious and frequently contentious dialogues among interested parties with scrupulous care. His bibliography is a thoroughly useful guide to the critical and historical texts. It has the advantage of being well focused on the topic and thus serves as an essential point of departure for any student, librarian, critic, or collector interested in pursuing the literature on artists books. A welcome addition to a steadily growing body of works in the field."--Johanna Drucker, artist, scholar and writer. She is the author of The Century of Artists' Books, The Alphabetic Labyrinth and The Visible Word among many other books. She teaches at Yale University. 8 3/4" x 5 1/4"; Paperback original. ISBN: 1-887123-18-0. $17.95