ADS doesn't waste time with wimpy, elementary, or patronizing tips and inspirations for an artist. Peppered economically with personal anecdotes, each essay instructs fundamental, practical, and philosophically persuasive work for an artist to do. She addresses process, feelings, sociality of art, business, physiology, responsibility, joy, belief, and so many specific tasks and values. Even while engaging many familiar ideas, I kept finding myself wanting to share and practice what I was hearing, as well as to occasionally practice a little push back. I would almost literally jump at a chance to sit and listen and talk with ADS about teaching and mentoring and work and art. And young artists. The book is passionately no-nonsense. (I also can't help picturing her delivering these letters in the style of the formidable National Security Advisor Dr McNally's interrupted-gala-dressed entrance to the Situation Room, WW S2E1, "Good evening everybody. Mike, could you have somebody send over some clothes from my office, please? I look like an idiot.") I recommend the audio version, read by the author. ( )

This book is about attitude, determination, and understanding both the risks and the rewards inherent in attempting to make any sort of life in the arts. Deavere Smith is a wonderfully straightforward, honest writer, who pulls examples from her own life and career to show the ups and downs of working in such tenuous fields. She offers a lot of sound advice over the course of this book, never sugarcoating the situation, but at the same time making it very clear that she considers the pleasures of such a life to vastly outweigh the downsides. An excellent read for anyone considering one of these professions, or for family members worried about what sort of life their loved one is doomed to live. ( )