Customer Reviews

08: A Graphic Diary of the Campaign Trail

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

08's self-description as a "graphic diary" is to let the reader know what he'll get is not a comic book-style retelling of the campaign, but an illustrated, slide-show style recap of the campaign, with occasional commentary by two fictional beat reporters.

On those merits, the book is great for those who were on the blogs every minute; every twist and turn is recounted in beautiful black and white pop art. Nothing new will be revealed by the book, but it has a very entertaining nostalgia factor.

One criticism, however, is that about halfway through, the narrative stops explaining things. Someone new to the campaign, or ten years from now, will have trouble understanding the context or the figures (e.g., Gov. Bill Richardson does not get a caption despite being drawn in such a way that his beard makes him look fundamentally different from his primary race depiction; also, no caption for Sen. Edward Kennedy, who while famous to policy wonks, is not that recognizable). The implosion of the Clinton campaign, which was the subject of a fascinating review in The Atlantic, is reduced to cable television-worthy sound bites; similarly, Joe the Plumber is reduced to his celebrity and not the arguments over fiscal policy that dominated the last month of the campaign.

I would recommend this product to anyone who has the Shepard Fairey Obama poster; it's got a similar iconic and sentimental value, and is definitely worth it for those reasons.

"08" is a fast-paced, intelligent romp through the presidential election as experienced through media coverage.

Writer Micheal Crowley maintains his journalistic integrity by avoiding hyperbolic snark and potshots at either party while keeping a subtle wit. In the telling of campaign plays and surprises that sometimes took months to unravel, Crowley keeps the book from dragging with a rapid-fire play-by-play of a tight ballgame. Dialogue from candidates and pundits are quoted, rather than satirized and Crowley's careful editing keeps a balanced arc of the lows and highs of key players.


Likewise, Dan Goldman's graphic portrayals are unmistakably recognizable, yet never delve into political caricature. His careful control shows a pathos in his characters even at their most ruthless. As in "Shooting War", Goldman lets his panels drift into television and internet media contexts, often incorporating high contrast photo and video stills. "08" showcases Goldman's sharp design skills in weaving the narrative, key words (often used texturally) and campaign/media logos.

"08" will no doubt remain a thrilling account of the race for the 44th president long after we have settled into out new administration.

A brilliant book for the majority of the country that's still celebrating. 08 is a true blow-by-blow trip down memory lane. A must have for those still suffering from election fever (like me) who want to relive a very exciting year in American history. The art is top notch, and I was surprised to find how powerful the story could be in graphic novel form. All the highs (and lows) of the campaign trail are here. As a fan of both political science and the graphic novel this is a very rare and special thing.

Wow---what an excellent time capsule of a crazy, soul searching (and soul sucking) election. Crowley and Goldman cover every nook and cranny in a beautiful mash of sound bites and graphics. Grab this!

This book is just a recap of the last two years. In some ways I wish it was bigger and longer.
I wish they would go back and make more books like this about past elections, mainly 2000.
It is nothing hard hitting or profound. But it is a fun read with great art work. If you are going to be on air plane or sitting on a bus for a while it is a good book to take with you, then give to a friend when you are done.
I saw this book at Barnes & Nobles for almost $30. I snaped a picture on my phone and looked up on Amazon and got my copy for under $10!

08 is fun to read. It also reminded me of some of the small things that came up during this historic campaign that I might otherwise have forgotten as the current, daily news cycle becomes crowded with other, more pressing topics.

For instance, the pig-wearing-lipstick dust up, Sarah Palin's wardrobe costs, the fist bump of the Obamas, and Hillary drinking boilermakers in a Pennsylvania bar are small, yet telling points about a campaign that just couldn't be predicted and, in the end, defied convention wisdom by seeing a man of color capture the White House.

I think it's important for potential readers not to expect too much of this little book. While it does offer a capsule of the campaign and showcases its highs (and lows), the format really doesn't offer much opportunity for the authors to analyze the meaning behind the action. For that we will have to wait for a more traditional campaign chronicle in the mold of Theodore White's "The Making of the President" books or Richard Ben Cramer's brilliant "What It Takes: The Way to the White House," which is to my mind the very best campaign analysis ever written.

That said, I recommend "08: A Graphic Diary of the Campaign Trail." Not only is it a good reminder for those of us who followed the campaign closely, but it is a solid orientation for those of us who may not have tuned in very closely. In that regard, this little graphic novel might make a good supplemental history text for high school students studying the democratic process.

I had almost forgotten just how exciting the recent presidential election was when I picked up 08: A Graphic Diary of the Campaign Trail. Written by New Republic editor Michael Crowley and illustrated by Dan Goldman, this story is, on the one hand, not much more than a summary of campaign events from 2006-2008. Its real power stems from its energy as a graphic novel; the drama is presented with all the dynamism of a classic superhero comic book. The bias is not so much pro-Dem as it is pro-Obama. Virtually everybody else in the story ends up looking bad, with particular distaste reserved for Hillary and Mitt. All in all, a fun and undemanding read that will remind you of the most riveting election in modern political history.

This book is perfect for readers new to the graphic novel format, as it takes us through one of the most important campaigns in United States history by using the visual language well.

Nice design, beautiful cover, the black and white associated with newspapers and magazines, clear and bold lettering emphasizing spike points in the campaign...

08: A Graphic Diary certainly deserves a spot on the bookshelves and coffee tables of people looking for more than a blah, cookie-cutter view of the Presidential campaign.

The 2008 campaign was really something - a genuinely compelling story, and sure to be one thing people study about the history of America centuries from now.

This book captures it perfectly. And the graphic novel format is a brilliant idea.

A truly absorbing read. If you buy one book about '08 this should be it.

I honestly can't think of enough good things to say about this book. The '08 election was one of our nation's most entertaining and fascinating presidential elections to date, and this does an amazing job of capturing the unique flavor of the entire spectacle. Dan Goldman should be commended for the creativity and skill of his visual presentation.