A few years ago, I took an art history class and learned what an encyclopedic museum was. It is generally a large institution that has the goal of covering much art, everything from the ancient Egyptians through the most modern of modern art. There are those who love these large institutions and others who have offered critiques. This book looks at a variety of opinions on this topic. It is divided into sections on the Origins and Practice of Encyclopedic Museums; Encyclopedic Museums Around The Globe; and Methodologies and Potentials of the Encyclopedic Museum.

Those interviewed in the book include Grayson Perry, Thomas Campbell, Max Hollein and Kwame Anthony Appiah among others. Thus a wide range of views are included.

This book should be of interest to art historians, educators and museum goers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.