"James Croak is that rare bird, the eloquent artist, whose bon mots match the deft wit of his sculpture. The ultimate insider, he opens doors and eyes on the artists, galleries and works that his gimlet eye selects with that authority that only a terrific artist of his caliber can offer. Like Robert Motherwell, Donald Judd or Barnett Newman, his essays on Contemporary art illuminate with the accuracy of a spotlight. We should all be grateful to have him among the contemporary critical cadre."

Charles A. Riley II, PhD The Saints of Modern Art: The Ascetic Ideal in Contemporary Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Music, Dance, Literature, and Philosophy

"While most modern art and art thought is domesticated, James Croak’s work is feral. He does not inhabit the prevailing intellectual monoculture, preferring the edgy, the candid, the uncomfortably informed, ready for Cancellation."

- Paul Sheehan, author of the Australian best-sellers, ‘Among The Barbarians’, ‘Girls Like You’ and ‘The Electronic Whorehouse’.

"For decades, James Croak has been one of the most articulate and intelligent commentators on the art world, as well as one of the most prescient contemporary artists. This anthology is both fascinating and absolutely necessary reading for anyone interested in understanding the reality of art and culture during the last 30 years."

Barbara Bloemink, author of Florine Stettheimer: A Biography

"Scanning the constellations, stars, supernovas, black holes and dark matter that make up a universe we call “culture", James Croak's telescope, used as if a microscope, gleans his meanings, revelations, insights and disappointments in this very smart and coyly titled new book, Backseat Driver."

Eric Fischl, artist and co-Author of Bad Boy: My Life On and Off the Canvas