Cartoon History of the Universe (7 Volumes) [Paperback]

Larry Gonick (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 10, 1997

An entertaining and informative illustrated guide  that makes world history accessible, appealing,  and funny.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One of the beautiful things about comics is that it is possibly the best medium for combining education and entertainment. No one knows this better than Larry Gonick, whose Cartoon History series spans many subjects. Whether you are a fan of history, comics, or Gonick's books, The Cartoon History of the Universe I is a great place to start. Part I contains volumes 1 to 7, from the Big Bang to Alexander the Great.

From Publishers Weekly

Gonick's hilariously informative history of the planet is a great addition to the growing field of comics trade books. Starting with the Big Bang theory and moving on to the "evolution of everything," he manages to cover three billion years--from the origins of cellular life to the fossil and dinosaur periods that followed, right up to the first appearance of hominids--all with casual erudition, silly humor and delightfully cartoony black-and-white drawings. But Gonick doesn't stop there. He reinstates the record of women (their theoretical role in the development of agriculture and the matrilineal clans of the neolithic era) as well as accurately restoring black racial characteristics to the Egyptian dynasties. He also surveys other highly evolved ancient civilizations: the Sumerians, the Hittites, the Assyrians and the Israelites. Gonick cheerfully conjures rulers, warriors and slaves alike, many stumbling around in the desert, as they form the foundations for Western civilization. This is Gonick's first book.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (September 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385265204
• ISBN-13: 978-0385265201
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.9 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > History > Historical Study & Educational Resources > Reference
  • #18 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Comic Strips

More About the Author

Larry Gonick has been creating comics that explain history, science, and other big subjects for more than thirty years, ever since Blood from a Stone: A Cartoon Guide to Tax Reform appeared in 1977. He has been a Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT and is staff cartoonist for Muse magazine.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I use it as a reference book! February 11, 2001

By RigelK

Format:Paperback

Cartoon History presents a large amount of information at a rapid clip and keeps you laughing the whole time. Topics that may have seemed boring in history class (or weren't addressed at all) will suddenly spark the imagination and leave you wanting to read more. Thick history presented in the exact opposite of dry textbook style, all high school and college students should own a copy of this book! (Gonick doesn't pull punches about the graphic violence and bizarre sexuality of our history, so parents should exercise discretion about handing this book to younger students.) Gonick also shows intriguing perspectives that you won't get in the average, mainstream textbook market; and he especially gives women a voice they normally do not have. Hopping all over the globe for more than white man's western civ, this book and its sequel open up history in a startling and energized way. I highly recommend keeping a copy on your reference shelf.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and accessible but also packs a of lot of real history. January 9, 2005

By Carol Watkins VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had originally bought this book for use in my waiting room. However, some of the sexual humor and the irreverant approach to religious figures meant that it was a "stay at home" book. (Don't tell the IRS)

Now that the book is in its proper place, I should add that I enjoyed it immensely and went on to buy Volumes 2 and 3. (not on my office account though)The book starts with evolution of the earth and its creatures. The pictures were well done and the humor makes the factual material easier to remember.

The bulk of the book deals with the history of the human race. The author does not confine himself to European civilization. Two of my children read all three volumes, and I did not have to hassle them to do it. How often does this happen with other history texts? I am hoping to use their interest in some of the historical topics to encourage them to read other books. Each section of the Cartoon History contains a reference section for those who desire further reading.

Ideally this book should be a companion to serious textbooks on history. However, there are a lot of people who are unwilling and unable to absorb material from textbooks or lectures. People who are visual learners may be able to remember the pictures and the humor when they have trouble remembering college lecutres or long passages of text. I have recommended this and some other of the author's books to individuals who were having trouble with basic college classes.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars superb September 6, 2005

By Michael Durfee

Format:Paperback

Larry Gonick's book on statistics inspired me. I still don't understand probability but I was amused. His history text shows again that he is smarter then I am but I understoond the text and learned about the time it took to get here from the beginning of time and the maze of attorcities that leads from one powerful kingdom to another. Cartoons help make powerful messages more tolerable. I may buy all of his work.