Free Cartoon History Of The United States (Cartoon Guide Series) Ebooks Online
What? You don't know what a Burgess is? -- You can't outline the Monroe Doctrine? -- Recall the 14th Amendment? -- Explain the difference between a sputnik and a beatnik? Then you need The Cartoon History of the United Statesto fill those gaps. From the first English colonies to the Gulf War and the S&L debacle, Larry Gonick spells it all out from his unique cartoon perspective.
Series: Cartoon Guide Series
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Rev Sub edition (August 14, 1991)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062730983
ISBN-13: 978-0062730985
Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #46,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #171 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Comic Strips #550 in Books > Education & Teaching > Studying & Workbooks #1174 in Books > Education & Teaching > Test Preparation
I'm reading this book for what must be the fourth or fifth time now. I picked it up as an undergrad, to refresh my memory of the History I'd learned in High School - now I'm in grad school for Literature and it's still a useful tool since I rarely have time to read anything more focused or comprehensive. Quite simply it's a sort of mnemonic device - much better than having a set of history notecards and much more fun. Ignore the reviewer who said it's anti-Republican biased - it most certainly is not. Kennedy is drawn with a more foolish grin than Eisenhower (whom I actually think looks regal) and LBJ's caricature is certainly not flattering. The book's tongue-in-cheek political slant is apolitical - almost anti-politcal. It pokes fun at everything and everyone because Gonick has read the unpalatable (and biased) history books we were all forcefed in High School and offers his graphic history as an antidote to them. Recommended for busy readers and Trivial Pursuit players of all ages.
Is Gonick biased? Yes, every historian, actually every person on the planet has an opinion and that is called bias. Gonick is at least honest and makes it clear how he feels about things and that is a strength. To one who is solid in American History this book is a light look at one person's perspective on history without all the pretention of ivory tower academia. For a child or young student it is a good strategy to get him/her interested in American History, You can give them a more balanced view of History later, right now have fun and get them interested or they'll be idiots.
Overtly sensitive Republicans might hate this book, but it is a good historical perspective on the contradictory entity that is the United States. It is also a great book to read in light of the Impeachment trials since it discusses the Andrew Johnson impeachment, the Nixon resignation (whose abuse of power was so pronounced that he was a military advisor away from being one of those third world dictators.) as well as the idiocy of the Senate throughout history. There is criticism of bias, however this is the same bias that Gronick shows throughout Cartoon History of the Universe without criticism (not many fans of Alexander the Great or Julius Ceasar around these days, although the Jesus cartoons from that book should annoy almost any Christian). My main problem is that the artwork is too sketchy. It seems like it was hastily scribbled, and the quality of the storytelling isn't as pronounced as in his other books.
While very good I felt that this book wasn't on the same level as Gonick's History of the Universe. Everything about this book seemed a bit rushed from the writing to the art. It's still very much worth buying but I can't recommend it as much as I would his History of the Universe.
This is the kind of book to read if you really hate history but need to know it for school or something. It makes history fun, not just boring names and dates. I read it late at night, which displeased my family because I laughed so hard I woke them all up. I bought another copy of this book as a gift to my college history professor. He read it and commented, "It was very well-researched. I bet writing the cartoons was the easy part."
Gonick as usual is a riot and I don't fault him for his bias. He puts it out there the way he sees it...any other way wouldn't be as funny. This is part fact, part satire. I still highly recommend this book to adults or teens who have a solid foundation in US History and have already formed an opinion on our leaders. Even if you don't agree, it's still funny.I agree with the prior reviewer who recommended Hakim's 'History of US' for the kids. I know of two little girls (ages 8 and 9)who are reading through these in their spare time FOR FUN!
The Cartoon History of the United States is well written and interesting. However, it was a decided disappointment in comparison to his Cartoon History of the Universe comics or his strips in Discover magazine. If all you're looking for is a populist slanted history of the United States, read Zinn's or some other more comprehensive work. If your looking for lots of high quality cartooning, go for a different Gonick book. The art here is less detailed and doesn't carry a substory as much as other works. However, if you're just looking for easy to swallow history, by all means get this book--it's only bad by contrast.
I bought this book at the recommendation and insistence of one of my U.S. History students. He refused to read the standard text and would use this book when studying for a test. He's an A student, and I enjoy listening to his suggestions. Cartoon History of the U.S. is a good supplement to any public high school education. It gives students a chance to be kids while learning, and that is a good thing. It is far too sparse to be anything more than a supplement, however, and while the facts are facts, the book doesn't seem to take some of the subject matter as seriously as it deserves.
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