Better Living Through Criticism: How to Think about Art, Pleasure, Beauty, and Truth
SKU: 20889130956

Better Living Through Criticism: How to Think about Art, Pleasure, Beauty, and Truth

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Better Living Through Criticism: How to Think about Art, Pleasure, Beauty, and TruthThe New York Times film critic shows why we need criticism now more than ever Few could explain, let alone seek out, a career in criticism. Yet what A. O. Scott shows in Better Living Through Criticism is that we are, in fact, all critics: because critical thinking informs almost every aspect of artistic creation, of civil action, of interpersonal life. With penetrating insight and warm humor, Scott shows that while individual critics himself included

The New York Times film critic shows why we need criticism now more than ever

Few could explain, let alone seek out, a career in criticism. Yet what A.O. Scott shows in Better Living Through Criticism is that we are, in fact, all critics: because critical thinking informs almost every aspect of artistic creation, of civil action, of interpersonal life. With penetrating insight and warm humor, Scott shows that while individual critics--himself included--can make mistakes and find flaws where they shouldn't, criticism as a discipline is one of the noblest, most creative, and urgent activities of modern existence.

Using his own film criticism as a starting point--everything from his infamous dismissal of the international blockbuster The Avengers to his intense affection for Pixar's animated Ratatouille--Scott expands outward, easily guiding readers through the complexities of Rilke and Shelley, the origins of Chuck Berry and the Rolling Stones, the power of Marina Abramovich and 'Ode on a Grecian Urn.' Drawing on the long tradition of criticism from Aristotle to Susan Sontag, Scott shows that real criticism was and always will be the breath of fresh air that allows true creativity to thrive. "The time for criticism is always now," Scott explains, "because the imperative to think clearly, to insist on the necessary balance of reason and passion, never goes away."



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 02/07/2017
ISBN: 9780143109976
Pages: 304
Weight: 0.53lbs
Size: 7.70h x 5.10w x 0.90d
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SKU: 20889130956

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Karen
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Durable
Color: S6-muti-color
The balls are great for chewers. The squeaky didn’t last long but they are perfect for the ball launcher.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026
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Candice K
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 4
The squeeker isn't durable, but the balls themselves are.
Color: S6-muti-color, Color: S6-muti-color
I have two 70+lb, ball obsessed dogs (a field bred Golden Retriever, and an Old Time Scotch Collie), and these balls are living up to the abuse they're receiving. In the fall we always lose a ball or two in the yard due to getting lost in leaves or longer grass, so I always try and buy a multi pack at the start of the season, so went with these this year. I'm glad I did. Great price for a 6 pack, they fit the medium Chuck-It launcher (a little loosely, but they throw just fine), have great bounce, they FLOAT (which means I didn't lose any at the beach), and they're super durable to the dreaded "mouth squish." The squeaker dies pretty quick, like, within a day, but it isn't the kind that can fall out or choke your dog, so no worries there. The boys are happy, I'm happy, my wallet is happy - I've already ordered another pack.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
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S. Berg
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Good balls
Color: S6-glow
My dog is a chewer, and these have held up for close to a year actually a pretty good product
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2026
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nanny america
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 3
Disappointed
Color: S6-muti-color
These were great for about 20 minutes then they stopped squeaking...we have 2 left that I have saved but the other 4 do not squeak anymore...disappointed as my dog loves to squeak things...would not buy these again...My dog is only an 8lb dog too...but he can still play with the balls without the squeak...
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Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2026
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joymom
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Value for a ball my dog loves!
Color: S6-muti-color
I wish these ball were in the subscription program! My dog gets sooo excited by the new ball, but her interest in things lasts for a few days. She kills the squeak within 11minutes, but the squeaker stays in place rather than becoming a chocking or swallow hazard, and she still loves to chew it. Next, we must throw the ball approximately 723 times the first day, possibly 496 times on day 2, and just 3- 4 on day 3, at which point she will chase the ball before hollering "it's over here if you need it," while she checks on the chipmunk den. We currently have 17 of these balls in our yard (because we have given several leftovers to a less discriminating doodle next door). These balls hold up really well, get her extremely active for the first couple of days, and are a much cheaper than doggie daycare (after an active morning with a new ball, she is happy to chew on it and sleep much of the day). I always have these on hand!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2025

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