Total Tattoo Book

by Amy Krakow

The most comprehensive book yet on this unique art form. Whether flaunted or hidden, sought as art or curiosity, the tatoo has left its mark on generations. From its beginnings as a pagan ornament to today's popular body art, this book takes an intriguing look at the world of tatoos. 150 photos.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1994

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I WROTE THIS BOOK. IT'S OKAY. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED in 1994, SO ITS KIND OF DATED.

BUT IS AN ARTIFACT OF WHAT IT WAS LKE WHEN TATTOOING WAS ILLEGAL IN NY, AND BEFORE EVERYONE ( IT SEEMS) GOT INKED.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

There just aren't any universal primers on the history and culture of tattooing. This seems to come to the closest as far as books still in print (or "in print" in ebook form), and there's definitely a lot of really great information in it, presented by a skilled writer with a lot of personal investment in the subject matter. At the time of publication, tattooing was still illegal in New York City, which is very hard to imagine nowadays, when you can't throw a rock without hitting a tattoo shop in some neighborhoods. So in 2019, when roughly a quarter of Americans have at least one tattoo, there's something kind of amazing about the hushed, scandalous tone some of the anecdotes take on. On one level, it makes those of us who have tattoos sort of yearn for the days when it WAS a rarer and more edgy thing, but on another, if you DO have a lot of tattoos, some of the information on what it's like to get one or why people choose to get them will not only feel dated, it will feel pretty basic. (Also, I know this was was probably a useful feature for the book to have pre-internet, but the chapter which is just a list of which celebrities are tattooed is hilarious viewed from 25 years in the future. These days it would probably be a shorter chapter to list the ones who don't have them!)

I would absolutely love an updated version of this book or even a sequel chronicling the evolution of tattoo culture since the late 90s. I recognize there is a lot about the art form that you can't learn from a book, and there's still a lot of secrecy surrounding the practical side of things, but there's a lot to be said (that is NOT really being said) about the absolute explosion of the art form, the increasing quality of the work being done, and the way in which social media has influenced tattoo fads and helped boost the profiles of various artists. (Also, obviously, a chapter on the rise and fall of Don Ed Hardy -- who at the time this book was published was well-known in tattoo circles but not outside of them -- is a must.)

[C-shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second reading of this book I bought several years ago. Interesting, even if it is 24 years old.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whereas Body Piercing and Tattoos, which is part of the “Social Issues Firsthand” series of Gale Cengage Learning, seems to regard tattoos as a social problem, The Total Tattoo Book is more of a generalist’s book on tattoos and instead stands as a defense and celebration of this body décor, especially popular among teens who can’t wait until they’re 18 in order to get their skin inked. The book opens with, “The only difference between a tattooed person and a person who isn’t tattooed is that a tattooed person doesn’t care if you’re tattooed or not. –posted in a tattoo shop.” Chapters 1 through 6 explain what a tattoo is, present the history of tattoos as both traditional and post-modern expressions of art, explain what happens in a tattoo studio and tell about a few tattooists, as well as offer lots of artful black and white and color photographs of tattoos. Chapter 7, “What’s a Book about Tattoos without a Celebrity Chapter?” offers even more illustrations of rock stars, movie starts, sports starts and superstar models who have all embraced skin art while Chapter 8, “Permanent Makeup: Just Another Name for a Tattoo…But Nothing Is Forever: The Art of Tattoo Removal” explains tattooing as “one less link in [the:] morning wake-up, makeup chain” and how to go about getting rid of a tattoo indiscretion. What I think will be especially useful for teens though is Chapter 9, “The Legal and Forensic Issues” though they’ll more likely appreciate Chapters 10 and 11 which further celebrate the fashion and fun of tattoos and list tattoo shops where they can get their skin colored.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book secondhand at a bookstore somewhere. Whenever I see something that has to do with tattoos or piercings I jump on it and buy it. This book was pretty outdated, it listed a few shops that are still around today, which is pretty cool. I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know, but it was still cool to see the pictures, there's one of Johnny Depp getting tattooed which made me laugh. All in all it made for an entertaining read.

[Heidi Navarro · Rating 3 out of 5]

It contains the history of how tattooing started all the way up to present day practices and whatnot. It was OK, if tattoos are something that you are interested in.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1992, James Brown had enormous bushy eyebrows tattooed on his dome. That is all.

[Tricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

did not offer much...