The Lines Are Drawn: Political Comics of the War Between the States [Hardcover]

Kristen Smith (Editor), Emory M. Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1999

This book collects for the first time a wide range of cartoons, comics, and caricatures related to the Civil War. Arranged chronologically with full captions to provide historical context, this collection of Northern, Southern, and overseas social commentary is critical to an enhanced understanding of this dark episode in American history. Included are 138 illustrations from the more popular publications of the day such as 'Harper's', 'Vanity Fair', 'Southern Illustrated News', 'New York Illustrated News', and 'London Punch'.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

-A valuable collection of Northern and Southern political cartoons that effectively conveys some of the political, economic, and moral issues surrounding the war. The cartoons illustrate perfectly what is most fascinating about our Victorian predecessors: they seem so familiar to us, and yet are so foreign at the same time. A helpful foreword addresses the racist nature of many of the drawings. The cartoons are presented by the year in which they were printed, along with usually helpful explanations that shed light on allusions that may escape late 20th-century sensibilities, e.g., why Lincoln is often portrayed in Scotch-plaid capes in Southern cartoons. Northern works predominate because of the paucity of Southern publishers and resources. This sometimes amusing but more often disturbing book will add to readers' understanding of the Civil War.-Rebecca L. Wells, UMI, Alexandria, VA

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hill Street Press (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892514060
• ISBN-13: 978-1892514066
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,496,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly useful for teachers, February 11, 2007

By 

Linda (Millis, MA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lines Are Drawn: Political Comics of the War Between the States (Hardcover)

I found this book years ago and used its political cartoons as a teaching tool in the classroom. I wish I'd bought it then when it was not so expensive! I highly recommend it for teachers and those interested in the Civil War.

5.0 out of 5 stars Okay, so I know the editor..., August 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lines Are Drawn: Political Comics of the War Between the States (Hardcover)

Okay, so I know the editor and all... so I'm biased. I'm a moderate student of the Civil War, but I found this to be a really refreshing way to study the War--through political cartoons. Cartoons of that era seem so much more complicated and intricate that they do today. I learned a lot that I didn't already know, and in a very enjoyable way.