Banksy is the closest thing we have to Che Guevara. Except, as faras we know, he's never flunked medical school, shot anyone orattempted to foment revolution in the Congo. You will find, gatheredlovingly together, in this book - the single best collection ofphotography of Banksy's street work that has ever been assembledfor print. If that isn't enough there are some words too.Much to the chagrin of art schools everywhere, it is likely that Banksywill be the best remembered artist of post-millennial-depressionBritain. His capacity to grab attention and deliver a message, oftenwith a punch line or hidden layer of meaning would have landed hima great job in an advertising agency. Madison Avenue's loss is ourgain.If you've never heard of Banksy, this book is all you'll ever need toread to be able to engage in pub table debates about the man andthe legend.When Banksy started out painting the political landscape was bleak.Fortunately now, it's ten times worse. So as Banksy's cheerfullyaggressive political work grows ever more relevant we take a stab atpresenting his art in the context of the era he was responding to,looking at the issues his work was about.While many other books ask dry questions such as Just who isBanksy and what makes him tick? We don't bother. We're moreinterested in his prolific work on the streets, which for the most parthas been lost to future generations through greed or the dreadedbuff. Consequently, this book seeks to concentrate on his iconicimagery spanning the past decade, from Los Angeles to Lewisham(and everywhere inbetween), including many images never beforeseen.However, make no mistake; this is not a dull history book or dimwittedcollection of mediocre fan snaps. This book is designed toignite, provoke and inspire you - and is a work of art in itself.So hopefully when Palestine is a free state and school kids of thefuture wonder why Banksy went to Bethlehem, it will all be clear.Banksy goes to Bolivia to start a guerrilla uprising and gets shot todeath? Could happen.