This is the perfect book for the lay person (not the artist, the art history major, or the art expert)to get an introduction to abstract art, which in fact IS 20th century art. For the last 100 years there has been a radical departure from the representational, the portraits of the wealthy, the landscapes, the still lifes of fruits and flowers. If you have ever stood in front of a painting at the Museum of Modern Art (or its local equivalent) and wondered what's really behind it? Is there a meaning? Is the artist just putting us on? This is the book you want to start with. It's short, to the point, easy to read and contains many black and white and color illustrations from all of the major artists. The author discusses the subject chronologically, making it easy to follow. The illustrations are numbered, and when an artwork is being discussed in the text, she puts the number in the margin so that you can follow along with the picture. The book provides an excellent general background. If you want to delve further, using this book as a jumping-off point, it's easy to determine which artists or styles may interest you more. The writing is not overly technical; i found i learned a lot and probably will be reading more in the area. This is well written and well organized, and well worth the time.