Graffiti: Two Thousand Years of Wall Writing

by Robert George Reisner

Two Thousand Years of Wall Writing by Reisner, Robert

204 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this book quite well for a couple reasons. The first is that I'd recently, at age 14, just acquired an updated library card that allowed me to check stuff out of the adult section at my local library and I'd just discovered the wonderful world of nonfiction. I'd read some before this, but was mainly a novel and short fiction kinda gal. The nonfiction section opened up a whole new world.

The second thing was that this guy was taking graffiti seriously as a social phenomenon and possibly art, and not just vandalism. It's obviously a bit outdated now, but it was so interesting to me in the 1980s!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lot of fun to read for two primary reasons, the author interjects quite a bit of his own quirky sense of humor and as a time capsule into graffiti ending in the late 1960s, just before graffiti as we know it today REALLY takes off. Recommended for those interested in this art form - and for those who enjoy reading snarky bathroom comments.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and fun read. Very easy to get through.

[Valerie]

This is one of many books that extol the wit and wisdom of graffitists. It needs an update, because most current graffiti is less verbose and more ornately artistic. A companion volume, maybe?