Mathews, Miller, Dunbar, 1974. Hardcover. Unpaginated, circa 92 pages. 34,5 x 27 cm. Text in English. Used. VG · Minor signs of wear. Here a fascinating and eye-opening book that chronicles the rise of graffiti art in NYC during the 70s. Kurlansky, a journalist who was working for The New York Times at the time, provides a firsthand account of the emergence of this underground art movement. The book is filled with stories and anecdotes from the artists themselves, as well as from law enforcement officials and city officials who were trying to combat what they saw as a growing public nuisance. Kurlansky paints a vivid picture of the gritty and often dangerous world of graffiti art, showing how it became a form of rebellion and self-expression for young people who felt marginalized and ignored by mainstream society. One of the strengths of the book is Kurlansky's ability to capture the cultural and social context of the time. He shows how graffiti art emerged from the social and political upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s, and how it reflected the urban decay and neglect that characterized many neighborhoods in New York City at the time. Kurlansky also provides a balanced perspective on the controversy surrounding graffiti art, showing how it was both celebrated as a form of art and reviled as a form of vandalism. He examines the arguments made by both sides, and leaves it up to the reader to decide where they stand on the issue. Another must-read for anyone interested in the history of graffiti art, New York City, or the cultural and social movements of the 70s.