I asked my teenagers whether they had heard of Andy Warhol. One had. When I began talking about the picture of the tomato soup can and the pictures of Marilyn Monroe, all of my teens knew this art in detail. It would be an exceptionally rare soul who has not had some exposure to things Andy today.

Perhaps half of us would chide Warhol’s art or even hesitate to label his prolific output with the term —just as he divided his art professors at Carnegie Tech. It is difficult, however, to dispute the influence Warhol had and continues to have on both the art world and popular culture. Whether you consider Warhol to be an artist or a huckster, there is no denying that Warhol was the first to turn our artistic gaze to everyday objects. When I asked my teens why someone would draw eight-foot pictures of soup cans, an argument commenced and each person had a completely different answer. This arguing is exactly why this book is valuable in social studies classes, art classes, or any class that explores popular culture. Readers should note, however, that this book will take you into the heart of the Factory Studio, known for its sex and drugs and rock and roll. Readers should also note that this tour will be conducted with exceptional insight, cultural and historical awareness, and a fair measure of objectivity.

As with the other artist biographies they have written, Greenberg and Jordan skillfully develop the context of the times along with the life of the artist. They show how Warhol developed from the young Shirley Temple fan in the steel mill town of Pittsburgh to the icon of pop art whose influence is stilling rippling today. Perhaps I should withhold judgment on this book until I see the actual book (I am reviewing from a galley copy that does not have the artwork). I think, however, that Warhol would embrace any errors and claim both versions as the truth. ( )