Van Gogh

The Life

By: Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

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 While drawing liberally from the artist's famously eloquent letters, they have also delved into hundreds of unpublished family correspondences, illuminating with poignancy the wanderings of Van Gogh's troubled, restless soul.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)

Thorough and heart wrenching

I have loved the work of Van Gogh for a long long time. This book filled in all the gaps of my knowledge. I leave his story with a richer understanding of his creative passion, his struggle with sanity, his relationship with his bother Theo, and painful isolation from society. I especially loved hearing of his interactions and opinions of the other artists of his time.

Very detailed

Went on too long at points, but it gave a clear picture of the relationship between Theo and Vincent .

A Must Read

This is a thoroughly researched and EXTREMELY WELL-WRITTEN book. The writing, in itself, is truly a beautiful piece of art. The character development is so good that the listener will become Vincent’s and Theo’s family member. As a psychotherapist, I wanted to reach through the story, back in time to befriend Vincent. This is one of the best books I’ve ever encountered.

Excellent book!

I really loved this book. I’ve always been fascinated with Vincent Van Gogh and this book truly allowed me to get to know the artist as a human being and not just a legend. Highly recommend!

Meticulous and artistic

Meticulously researched yet written with artistry. Expertly read. This book is on the mark on every count.

In depth look at Van Gogh

Very detailed look into the life of Van Gogh as well as the surrounding factors that contributed to his genius.

A very ambitious review of the man behind the canvas.

What I thought I knew from my years as a student in high school and college, doesn’t even make up a foot note.
These authors, and the narrator really brought Van Gogh alive here.

They take us from his childhood to his death, and then some more!
I’m glad I heard about this audio book.

Thank you!

Compelling biography, compellingly read!

Stays close to the evidence, especially as revealed in Van Gogh’s letters - but filled out and corroborated by other sources, where available.

A sad but wonderful story of an immortal painter who, partly because of his family’s and nation’s culture and partly because of his own uncompromising temperament, lived a life of frustration and perceived failure.

The postscript makes a compelling case that Van Gogh did not commit suicide, but, once he was accidentally shot, did not try to prolong his life, either. In particular, he protected the young boy or boys who shot him accidentally.

A final act of selflessness.

Yet his vision and vitality live on in his paintings.

This book gives the big picture as well as convincing details. Well worth the many hours of listening!!

historical accuracy

this was a GREAT listen! Good story telling. Vincent had a complex and tragic life with a compelling story of physical and mental and emotional illness alongside absolute genius struggling to get out. I believe the conclusion in the epilog to be accurate.

Amazing

The best biography I’ve read on any subject. Loved very minute of it. Well worth it.