For a long time, there was only the scantiest literature on art criticism, as if, despite its prevalence in the artworld, the topic merited little academic consideration or could only be practiced rather than discoursed upon. That situation has been gradually altering over the last few years, as evidenced by books published by Jarrett Earnest and Isabelle Graw, and now Patricia Bickers’ The Ends of Art Criticism. Bickers’ book, then, cogently reflects upon art criticism’s history and lucidly examines its philosophical underpinnings. Does it succeed in showing criticism’s present-day relevance and strength?