For decades Altman fascinated, challenged and perplexed critics and audiences alike with films--among them M*A*S*H, Nashville, Short Cuts, and Gosford Park --that pioneered the use of zoom lenses, overlapping dialogue, multi-track recording, improvisation, multiple storylines and mixing documentary with fiction. Yet, for all his technical innovations, Altman infused each of his works with a trademark sense of subversive, caustic, satirical humour, as well as an empassioned social and political engagement. A visual history of this important artist and his oeuvre, Altman brims with photographs, writings and memorabilia culled from Altman's own archive, as well as from dozens of personal scrapbooks belonging to his wife Kathryn, who contributes personal recollections of life with Altman. Also included are contributions from some of the best-known filmmakers, critics, writers and performers with whom Altman worked or whom Altman inspired, including Martin Scorsese, E. L. Doctorow and Jules Feiffer, among others.