So I actually haven’t read this book because I think the Kindle edition is too expensive and then I found out the Kindle edition doesn’t even have the photos that you would need to understand what the book is talking about. This book published in 2010 is already outdated and the other reviewer say you won’t learn very much about how to play the art market when you read this book you’ll just learn about the interesting stuffed shark, etc.. ( )

If you don’t follow art trends within the market then you will hate this book. It is a lot of numbers about sales, and the only reason it would be thrilling to a reader is if they’re interested in professional art. Working as an art handler on and off over the course of 2011, I had a very limited view of the art market. I understood that it was a game for the rich, and in many ways, fixed. The $12 Million Stuffed Shark may not be 100% factual but it will still open your mind to many realities that, until now, have been kept hidden. What is the difference between an art dealer, a gallery, and an auction house? Why is contemporary art catching up in prices with the old masters? Why do some artists with limited talent still get into big galleries? Is art a good investment? Why is it so important to be branded? All of these questions, and more, are answered in this book. If you are planning to go to art school, become an artist, or already are one, this is a mandatory read, especially if you hope to find even a little success in the gallery system. This has warped my thinking. I feel as if many of the mysteries of the art world have been revealed. I feel like an insider now. Thank you Don Thompson. ( )

A curious and intoxicating read that will leave you dizzy with amazement tinged with disappointment over the contemporary art market. ( )