Anthony Byrt is an award winning journalist and art critic, arguably New Zealand's most widely read art critic. This is a survey of how he found the state of NZ contemporary art on his return from a period in Berlin, in 2011. He visits galleries and artists' studios in NZ and internationally, interviews the artists and unpacks their work, their inspiration and motivation. I've always found contemporary art difficult and obscure, but Byrt manages to explain, not simplistically, but more by providing a pathway to understanding the works discussed. The book includes much fine writing on artists both established - Billy Apple, Peter Robinson, Judy Millar - and emerging - Luke Willis Thompson, Shannon Te Ao. A vital book for anyone interested in the art world, as well as being a lovely object.