About the Author

Taylor D. Littleton is W. Kelly Mosley Professor of Science and Humanities Emeritus at Auburn University.

Reviews

From Library Journal Littleton (Advancing American Art: Painting, Politics, and Cultural Confrontation at Midcentury, 1990. o.p.) here provides a scholarly, detailed, and exhaustive look at the famous silversmith/designer, illustrator, writer, and preserver/interpreter of Mexican culture. Unlike Joan Mark's recent book The Silver Gringo: William Spratling and Taxco (LJ 2/1/00), which emphasizes Spratling's silversmithing enterprise, Littleton's effort focuses more on the man. Although little firsthand information about Spratling's formative and early adult years exists, Littleton compensates with well-ordered conjecture and cultural context based on correspondence, contemporary articles, published works, and references to Spratling's many prominent friends. Owing to renewed interest in Spratling and Mexican silver (if the prices for related auction items on eBay are any indication), this title should fill a niche--especially in academic libraries. -Rex E. Klett, Mitchell Community Coll., Statesville, NC Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.