I LIKE WHAT I KNOW. A Visual Autobiography. Signed by the author.

by Vincent Price

Vincent Price--known for his horror movie career--recounts his life-long love of art from his first acquisition to his eventual turn as art dealer to the rich and famous.

Genres: Art, Biography, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Memoir

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Vincent Leonard Price Jr. was an American actor best known for his performances in horror films, although his career spanned other genres, including film noir, drama, mystery, thriller, and comedy. He appeared on stage, television, and radio, and in more than 100 films. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures, and one for television.

He was an art collector, and arts consultant, with a degree in art history, and he lectured and wrote books on the subject. The Vincent Price Art Museum at East Los Angeles College is named in his honor. He was also a noted gourmet cook.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enthusiastic, conversational book detailing the author's love of art. It suffers a bit from a lack of reproductions -- as much as he insists that reproductions can't convey the brilliance of a piece of art, it would have been nice to see more of his favorites, particularly when it comes to artists who have not achieved the level of fame he expected. But the book did get me itching to go to more museums and galleries, and to buy more art, which seems to be exactly what he intended!

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An autobiography, not so much about his acting career, but about his avocation as an art collector. It's an unexpected view of the actor. I rather enjoyed it, but as I have little interest in the visual arts, I wasn't entirely engrossed by it.

[Dennis Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 1958 autobiographical surey of Prices’s love and understanding of the visual arts. It made me want to look up every painting or sculpture he mentions. Illustrated with pieces that he had bought for his own home. Hmmm... I’m heading now to our local art museum, just because...

[Jeff Finazzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any fan of Vincent Price. A wonderful look into what truly made Vincent happy in life.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vincent Price writes with all the wit and urbanity that I would have hoped to find. The books loses me a bit because in his love for art, the author assumes a level of familiarity in his audience that I simply don't have. I also wonder if cultural literacy has simply changed in the years since this was published, but regardless, many of the art references went over my head. The best parts of the book combined autobiography and travelogue. I'm not sure this would be an essential for anyone who isn't already a fan of Price, but I enjoyed it.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can hear VP's voice as you read. Undeniably humourous with serious points to make. The enthusiasm of the writing made me go and look up the artists and their work. I didn't always agree with him but it made me investigate, which was his aim.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Vincent Price. This autobiography did not disappoint. Known for his horror films (and the voice in the Michael Jackson music video Thriller), this was a great view behind the scenes of the man. What an amazing individual. If you like Vincent Price, then this is an excellent book for you.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written midway through his acting career, Price's memoir of art-collecting and art-loving doesn't share much about his early days in film. Occasionally he'll name-drop a celeb like Orson Welles or Helen Hayes but infinitely more pages mention Picasso, Rubens and Tintoretto, secondhand. As autobiographies go this one is far from inward looking or dishy. That's too bad because when the personal drives the narrative, "I Like What I Know" has definite charm -- like when Price convinces his parents to let him take an unchaperoned art tour of Europe at 16 years old or convinces Bea Lillie to buy a funny portrait of a boy. Those kind of anecdotes are few though as "I Like What I Know" is moreso a screed championing the visual arts and calling on Americans to shop local. You can hear Price's singular voice throughout, which makes me wish this hadn't predated audiobooks. I would've liked to hear his thoughts on John Resko, the one-time death row inmate who gained freedom through painting and inspired the biopic "Convicts 4" which features Price as an art critic...briefly. (But that came years later.)

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Price went to school to study art but ended up an actor instead. Art is clearly his first and truest love but perhaps pursuing it as a career would have limited him to specializing in one or two areas of art instead of indulging in a wide variety. I was slightly disappointed in this book because of the title. Calling it a visual autobiography implies it will be lavishly illustrated. Instead, it's Price talking about how art has played a roll throughout his life and the pictures are limited to some photos from his personal collection in one chapter. Decent book, bad title.

[Cecelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have attempted to get through this book for years. It is not an autobiography of Vincent Price’s career, and rarely-if ever, does he discuss his career. Unless you adore reading about art that you cannot see (and that is often impossible to find a photo reference for) you may struggle with this book. I know I have.

I Like What I Know, and I apparently know far less about art than is necessary to enjoy this book.

[Ximena Apisdorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realmente amé este libro, es un libro en el que ocupa su experiencia personal para invitar a las personas a que se acerquen al arte, por lo que es un libro de divulgación del arte. Nos contagia de su entusiasmo y nos muestra facetas de piezas y de sus conocidos que realmente son únicas. Totalmente recomendable. (BTW si faltan imágenes, pero la realidad es que hoy en día es muy fácil buscarlas en línea).

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the GOAT’s love of the visual arts, but this book was a bit of a chore. Was hoping for more life anecdotes (and maybe one story from House of Wax or something) and less a recounting of his museum visits.

[Shayla Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Vincent as an actor but I found his writing to be a touch boring.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vincent Price is an entertaining writer. Even his cook book is fun. This is an interesting part of his life if you are into fine art and collecting. His enthusiasm takes you along.

[Ron]

A difficult superfluous read more about art than his life but an interesting look into his language. He spoke in a very distinct manner and it comes out in this book.