I have been a fan of Warhol for many years now, and I have come across some really amazing publications….and some not so great. Below is a list of books I have found to be the most revealing and which provide the best portrait of who Andy Warhol was. Many of the books listed contain never before seen images and interviews that are impossible to find anywhere else. In my opinion, when doing research on anyone, not just Warhol, I prefer books and other printed material to online searches. I have always been one of those people who has had an intimate relationship with books, and I strongly believe that printed sources are much more reliable and valid than anything you can find on the internet. (just my opinion, don’t be offended) Like I said, this list exist as a resource to inform users on where to find the best information while offering my own insight on the source itself.
Andy Warhol: Giant Size
No it’s not just a name! This really is a GIANT BOOK!! This is one of my favorite books of all time. Has hundreds of amazing, rarely seen photos with amazing interviews, essays, and other insightful content covering his entire life.
The Philosophy of Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again
This is a hilarious autobiography! The humor and sarcasm is very subtle but very witty. Good for casual reading or if you just need a laugh. However, I don’t know how valid the information is in this book. Warhol himself did not write the book, but they are supposedly his own thoughts and feelings.
“At one time the way my nose looked really bothered me- it’s always red- and I decided that I wanted to have it sanded. Even the people in my family called me “Andy the Red-Nosed Warhola.” I went to see the doctor and I think he thought he’d humor me, so he sanded it, and when I walked out of St. Lukes’s Hospital I was the same underneath but I had a bandage on.”
– The Philosophy of Andy Warhol
Edie Factory Girl
Although this book does not focus on Warhol himself, it does give some insight into his relationship with Edie Sedgwick, his most famous superstar. However, this book has generated some controversy over the validity of authors, Nat Finkelstein and David Dalton’s, comments. Despite this, it does contain extensive quotes from many significant figures surrounding Warhol and the factory scene, amazing photographs of other Warhol superstars, Warhol himself, and life at the factory.
25 Cats Named Sam and One Blue Pussy
This extremely rare book was privately printed and only 190 copies were originally published. Each book was hand drawn and the writing was done by Warhol’s mother, Julia. Most of the original copies were given as gifts by Warhol himself. Contrary to the title, 25 Cats Name Sam and One Blue Pussy actually only contains 16 cats named Sam followed by one cat in blue titled One Blue Pussy. I found a copy of this book by accident about 3 years ago in UT’s art library and was very excited to be one of the few people who have ever seen it. Although there is no text, the rarity and the history of the book is worth taking a look at. Warhol often used his mother’s writing talents in many of his works, and in 1957 published a book of her drawings titled Holy Cats. She was always credited as “Andy Warhol’s Mother.”
