Choice 评论

This beautifully illustrated book concerns the artistic depiction of science, charlatanism and illusion in the 18th century, and the positive influence of this depiction on society. An underlying theme is that the mind is shaped by its sensory experiences and that the scientist and artist have an obligation to provide experiences that sharpen perceptions and avoid experiences that dull or fool perceptions. Stafford calls for a new collaboration between scientist and artist in making leisure activities and education informative in the best sense of the word. Works that appear to answer this call are Illusion in Nature and Art, ed. by R.L. Gregory and E.H. Gombrich (1973), and Michael Kubovy's The Psychology of Perspective and Renaissance Art (CH, Jun'87). Not an easy read; the vocabulary is rich and the writing style convoluted. Illustrations are clear and supplement the writing. Thirty pages of notes; combined author-subject index with about 500 entries. Graduate through professional. R. H. Cormack; New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology