Van Gogh

The Life

By: Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Length: 44 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith galvanized audiences with their astonishing Jackson Pollock: An American Saga, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for biography, a book acclaimed for its miraculous research and overwhelming narrative power. Now Naifeh and Smith have written another tour de force - an exquisitely detailed, compelling, and ultimately heartbreaking portrait of creative genius Vincent van Gogh.

Working with the full cooperation of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Naifeh and Smith have accessed a wealth of previously untapped materials. While drawing liberally from the artist's famously eloquent letters, they have also delved into hundreds of unpublished family correspondences, illuminating with poignancy the wanderings of Van Gogh's troubled, restless soul. Naifeh and Smith bring a crucial understanding to the larger-than-life mythology of this great artist - his early struggles to find his place in the world; his intense relationship with his brother Theo; his impetus for turning to brush and canvas; and his move to Provence, where in a brief burst of incandescent productivity he painted some of the best-loved works in Western art.

The authors also shed new light on many unexplored aspects of Van Gogh's inner world: his deep immersion in literature and art; his erratic and tumultuous romantic life; and his bouts of depression and mental illness.

Though countless books have been written about Van Gogh, and though the broad outlines of his tragedy have long inhabited popular culture, no serious, ambitious examination of his life has been attempted in more than 70 years. Naifeh and Smith have re-created Van Gogh's life with an astounding vividness and psychological acuity that bring a completely new and sympathetic understanding to this unique artistic genius whose signature images of sunflowers and starry nights have won a permanent place in the human imagination.

©2011 Woodward/White, LLC (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A tour de force . . . an enormous achievement . . . [A] sweepingly authoritative, astonishingly textured book." (Los Angeles Times)

Inside the minds, times and places

This exhaustive, rewarding book puts a reader into Van Gogh's era and surroundings. Using letters between him and family, friends and acquaintances, I could understand the impossible challenges they had with Vincent. His fiery emotions were only tolerable when expressed through the tips of his misunderstood paint brushes. He was a brilliant visionary who really couldn't fit into normal society as he lived before his time.

Sad when I was done

Thought about this book all the time while reading. Better for having read it. Interesting. Made me more interested in his work. Excellent

Amazing - Sorry when it ended

Listening to this epic, sensitive, well researched book was amazing. I am sad to come to the end. The narration was great and the story of Vincent and Theon’s relationship makes me want to know more. Don MacClean’s song Vincent even more poignant than ever for me.

More informative than Lust for Life

You certainly get to know Vincent, but you have to grind. For a quick and fun look at Vincent, check out the Doctor Who Series episode "Vincent and the Doctor". The ending brought me to tears.

Compelling and complete biography

I truly appreciated the detail and completeness of this biography of Van Gogh, and it caused me to purchase the Taschem edition of his complete paintings. Although the narrator’s pronunciation of French names and terms was often startlingly terrible, I applaud his undertaking of such a huge task.

Detailed descriptions of events is impressive.

The amount of information taken from letters written by Vincent to Theo and others, hopefully, is accurate.

A thorough and definitive classic work. Bravo!

A well researched, realistic telling of Van Gogh’s life. An obviously more truthful account than most of the stories fashioned throughout history. I also purchased the book, “Van Gogh The Complete Paintings” by Taschen to enhance the story told. The experience was well appreciated. 🌟

A Telling as Flowery as the Painter’s Works

On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this incredibly detailed study of the life of my favorite painter. I was initially shocked at the amount of disdain in the author’s voice for the painter, but as the story of Vincent’s life rolled along, I could understand some of the gentle barbs doled out to him. I think it is very well-researched and written, if a touch overdrawn, but definitely a complete “beginning to end” of the artist’s life.

Incredible

One of the best books I have ever read. I enjoyed every word from beginning to end.

Great Book

Narration was excellent. Very informative. The authors are painting a picture of there own and really try hard to steer your emotions. Almosr everything I know about Vincent van Gogh is from this book so i can not speak to the accuracy of the information. It sure does feel like you are being steered though.