Reflections: The American Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art adds a novel and provocative element to the library of art museum collection catalogs. In the traditional manner, Reflections features selected works—more than 125—from the museum's collection, accompanied by concise essays by scholars of art who reflect on and respond to the distinctive aspects of each work.

To this customary approach, the editors have added what they term intersections essays: an examination of a well-known work of art from the differing perspectives of two authors—most of whom are not art historians. For instance, acclaimed writer Joyce Carol Oates provides her perspective on George Bellows and is joined by Laurie Bellows Booth, an objects conservator and the painter's granddaughter. The book includes ten of these compelling essays, including contributions by such authors as Adam Gopnik and Alan Trachtenberg.