Dr. Seuss & Mr. Geisel: A Biography [Hardcover]

Judith Morgan (Author)

Book Description

California journalists Neil and Judith Morgan present the authorized biography of the late Ted Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, the phenomenally successful, beloved author and illustrator of dozens of memorable children's books, including The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. 16 pages of photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this authorized biography, California journalists Judith and Neil Morgan present a dutifully researched and intimate portrait of the late children's-book author and artist beloved by millions. Fans of The Cat in the Hat, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and other classics may be surprised to learn that Dr. Seuss was terrified of children and had none of his own, and that writing verse was a supreme effort for him. While children's literature is Ted Geisel's principal claim to fame, his creative life was multifarious, including an apprenticeship with film director and army major Frank Capra during WWII and stints in advertising. The authors deftly evoke the settings where Geisel lived and worked, such as his hometown of Springfield, Mass.; Oxford, England, where he studied; and coastal La Jolla, Calif., where he spent roughly half his life. Friends of their subject, the Morgans also vividly depict a quiet but exuberant man with a keen wit and biting?though never mean-spirited?sense of humor. A pleasing combination of fact and anecdote, this volume is a fitting tribute.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This witty and charming biography of the highly original genius, Dr. Seuss (Ted Geisel), maintains suspense as the authors unfold the facts of his life and art. It is full of wry Seussian limericks and interesting anecdotes, among which are his failed invention of an Infantograph and the mad pranks played by Seuss on rival artists. The legions of Seuss admirers are treated to accounts of the inspiration for and the history behind each of his famous books. The authors, seasoned journalists and writers themselves, who are neighbors of Geisel, have given us the only authorized biography of this famous American. As such, it is of interest to the three generations of men and women who grew and continue to grow up reciting Dr. Seuss's rhymes.
Marie L. Lally, Alabama Sch. of Mathematics & Science, Mobile
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 345 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1st edition (April 11, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679416862
• ISBN-13: 978-0679416869
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,108,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars tedious hero-worship, October 23, 1999

By 

devon w thompson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dr. Seuss & Mr. Geisel: A Biography (Hardcover)

It's often better to know certain people only through their works, and to avoid altogether what passes for a biography written by "long-time friends." This is the overview he was afraid of reading, what had to wait to be written until his passing? There is no semblance of objective distance in this book. Even the most awful, and possibly revealing, aspects of this man's life--chief among them the suicide of his sixty-nine year old wife of more than four decades--are glossed over and swept aside, the authors preferring to concentrate on his happiness in taking up with the wife of one of his friends soon after. And there are countless mentions of his "brilliant color sense"--a subjective talent, at best--to the extent that by the end of the book you might believe that this was on par with the cure for polio. Dr. Seuss was a wonderfully talented author of children's books, and a worthy subject for an honest and well-rounded biography. Unfortunately, this is not it. Go back and read "Green Eggs and Ham" again. Go read "The Cat in the Hat." Leave this alone.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The man behind the cat, April 10, 2006

By 

Andrew W. Johns "ResQgeek" (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Seuss & Mr. Geisel: A Biography (Paperback)

Dr. Seuss has become such a fixture in our world that its hard to fully appreciate the impact he had on children's literature and our culture. This book explores both the origins of his whimsical books and the impact he had on the publishing industry. As portrayed here, Dr. Seuss is possessed of a slightly skewed view of life, but is devoted to promoting the causes he believed in, including children's literacy. As a man who truly believed that reading should be fun, he wrote books that he felt were fun to read, and knew that others would enjoy them too. Its a shame that his fear of public speaking kept the world from knowing him better during his lifetime, but he lives on in his impressive body of wacky and delightful books and art. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to get a glimpse of the man behind the cat.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Introduction to the Seuss World, January 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dr. Seuss & Mr. Geisel: A Biography (Paperback)

I have read almost all of the books written by Dr. Seuss, but knew little about the wonderful man. This book is full of humour and delightful insights into the workings of children's books (non-existent before Dr. Seuss) and the many other projects under his guise. Recommended reading for everyone over 20-- to recapture the magic behind the Cat, Horton and the Grinch!