This exquisitely produced volume contains masterpieces by artists such as John Singer Sargent, William Merritt Chase, and Helen Turner. The paintings, reproduced in full color, are accompanied by text exploring the genesis of American impressionist painting. William H. Gerdts examines the relationship of American impressionism to French impressionism, and then follows the Americans as they developed distinctive regional styles. Gerdts covers some of these stylistic approaches in depth, including the Pennsylvania and Midwestern schools, and pays close attention to 10 different painters and their work. The words and the images in this tiny book combine to give readers a grand view of American impressionism.