THE CRITICS COMMENT

Comments from the Art and Book Worlds on "Of Birds & Texas" By Artists Scott & Stuart Gentling and Essayist John Graves

"A triumph of beautiful design, fine printing and original scholarship. There was nothing in Paul Mellon's incomparable collection of 18th and 19th century illustrated books from Britain of greater appeal and sheer beauty."
— Edmund Pillsbury, Director
Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth

"Marvelous; a simply overwhelming book."
— Andrew Wyeth. Artist
Chadd's Ford. Pennsylvania

" ...a glorious work... a moving homage to Audubon, to Texas and to American natural history. This book will give untold pleasure to lovers of art and science...."
— Carole Anne Slatkln, Assistant Director
The New York Historical Society

"The most stunning and prodigious book in Texas History.... The color printing is breathtaking... there is no question the investment possibilities make the price reasonable. The beauty of the Gentlings' paintings is delivered so stunningly...."
— A.C. Creene, Coordinating Director
The Center for Texas Studies

"In OF BIRDS AND TEXAS, Stuart and Scott Gentling...have produced a breath-taking tour de force, rich with vitality, luminescence and a sense of place. The style...purposely echoes Audubon's romantic, lively style...."
— Mary Durant and Michael Harwood Authors,
"On the Road with James Audubon"

"...OF BIRDS AND TEXAS probably is the most magnificent book ever produced in Texas...destined to become a classic of ornithology and fine printing. Mere words cannot describe the accuracy and delicacy of their attention to form or the brilliance and subtlety of their colors.... Change that probably to definitely."
— Lee Milazzo, Book Critic
The Dallas Morning News

"A colossal artistic achievement of interest to all Americans and not limited to collectors of Texana...."
— James E. Mooney, Librarian
The New York Historical Society

"One of the most important books published in Texas. Anyone who loves Audubon, birds, Texas or books would be well-advised to invest in this book."
— Ron Tyler, Director
Texas State Historical Association

"OF BIRDS AND TEXAS has no counterpart in Southwestern printing history. It has few peers in scope, content and fidelity anywhere in America... this is printing artistry at its finest. The results, in toto, constitute a landmark achievement.
— Al Lawman, Author
"Printing Arts in Texas"

"It took a bold sense of derring-do to have even attempted a project of this magnitude. The Gentlings have accomplished it with such quality and taste... a shining achievement. I know of nothing in the history of Texas arts and letters to rival it."
— Bill Whitliff, Author, Film Director,
Publisher of Enctno Press, Austin

"A country's heartland Is best defined by its natural history, and Texas is well-served by this landmark gathering of powerful, colorful plates and accompanying bird tales... a massive graphic symphony of letterpress and lighography... a mountainous folio of a book, a museum-quality work, unlikely ever to be emulated.'
— Harold Billings, Director
General Libraries
University of Texas at Austin

"The Gentlings are no slavish imitators of (Audubon). In their best works, they have combined a 19th century romantic's passion for their subject with a bold and often innovative sense of composition which makes their work unique. OF BIRDS AND TEXAS is simply a fantastic book.... Anyone interested in fine contemporary books about birds should see this work."
— Guy Coheleach,
Renowned Wildlife Artist
Bemardsville NJ

" It Is certain that if Audubon were alive today, he would sanction the Gentlings' masterpiece. Trammel Crow, T. Boone Pickens and the Bass brothers are just a few Texans who have snatched up this collector's item. (The book) exemplifies the (brothers') artistic philosophy: 'Create emotion; don't display it.'"
— Donna Pate, Critic
ULTRA Magazine