Bento's Sketchbook Hardcover – November 8, 2011

I love everything this man writes, and this latest book, just out November 8, 2011, brings together all the many threads of his life, his art, his political philosophy, and his great great heart. Bento's Sketchbook (subtitled How Does the Impulse to Draw Something Begin?) contains ink-and-spit drawings, quotations from Spinoza (the Bento of the title), and stories of real people: everywhere John Berger's eye touches the Earth. I have bought copies for everyone I love: it's the kind of book you can open anywhere, read one story, put it down in order to assimilate the deeper and deeper layers of awareness Berger brings into focus, and know you will want to re-read many times. Each page contains perceptions that make me stop and breathe in the world around me with more empathy, more appreciation, more sorrow and more hope of redemption.If you don't know John Berger's work, this is a wonderful place to begin. If you do, you will not want to miss this gift from a man in his 80s who has lived his life with such passion and integrity.

Beautiful exploration of life as "seen" through the eyes of a predominately visually oriented person. I loved it and it's a keeper.

This is a great read, especially if you're interested in art and it's processes. I love the collection of lesser known pieces.

It's a wonderful book. The details he describes the inviroment make me wish to draw the same object that he is drawing. So the drawings are as important as the writting. The book is also because brougt me to learn about Spinosa for exemple. In fact I've not finished of reading because I go forth and back . It's a book to readmand read again.

Berger is an original art thinker but this experiment (yes, experiment!) to blend philosophy with personal anecdotes/casual sketches simply does not work. Yuk! I was yawning most of the way and could not even finish this small book. My apologies to Berger but I ended up binning it.

John Berger was a deep thinker who managed to make his thoughtfulness accessible to many people. I found his description of the desire to draw profound. This is a book I pick up and read a few pages and think about them before picking the book up again. Berger encourages readers to be thoughtful too and for that I am grateful.

"Berger's characteristic tenderness and close scrutiny of humanity 'sketched' in the vignettes and drawings inspired by his personal life, in a synthesis with the philosophical patience and apercus from Spinoza ; both enlarge the mind with their unquestionable integrity of beliefs and acts towards their countrymen. I am not an artist but for me, a retired high school teacher, the book is unforgettable.

Insightful essays that shed light on drawing as a creative activity. John Berger's drawings are a bonus, making this a delightful book to read and ponder.

all products so far have reached my expectations the service and quality of products very good and value for money.

Fascinating. Berger's grasp of what a drawing is, how it influences the surrounding space, are inspiring. A bit less perhaps the philosophical quotes. But that depends on the individual and a personal attraction of philosophy.

Great to have a copy of this well-known piece. Good key to understanding artists' approach to the art.

everything was as described, i received the book very quickly, even before as it was said, so i'm very happy.

Excellent, exciting book. I've always admired Berger. Wonderful observations about drawing, fiction, life.