Customer Reviews

Cartoon History of the United States (Cartoon History of the Modern World)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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."

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.

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!

I can't bring myself to give this book 3 stars because it IS quite good at it's intended purpose: teaching American history. I'm just a little disappointed that it isn't as funny as Gonick's "Cartoon History" series. There are lots of interesting tidbits your history teacher never told you about - for example, Ben Franklin and his friends used to electrocute turkeys just for fun. And, this book is MUCH more entertaining than taking notes in ANY history class.

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.

I'm a big fan of Gonick's History of the Universe, and while I enjoyed this book too, I have to say that the artwork looked really rushed and sloppy compared to the Universe books.

I have always had an interest in history, but remember as a child being frustrated by the confusing and half-told local and national histories I was taught in grade school. It seemed that all the leading figures in my history books acted out of purely noble motives, and surely never from greed or selfishness. However, once I had grown up and began speculate that they had indeed sometimes done important things out of greed or selfishness, history began to make alot more sense.

Gonick does not use rose-colored lenses in an attempt to deify the movers and makers of U.S. history. He in fact, tries to show that these people more often than not had an all too human side.

If you want to believe that America's past leaders have all been noble heroes, this book will offend you. On the other hand, if you enjoy irreverent yet topical accounts, this is a book for you.