World War I in Cartoons [Hardcover]

Mark Bryant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2006

In an age before TV and radio the impact and importance of cartoon art was immense, especially when the only sources of information were silent cinema newsreels, posters, newspapers and books - all largely black and white. The cartoon had an immediacy and universal accessibility, giving a message words could not convey. So, not surprisingly, the Great War proved an extraordinarily fertile time for cartoonists. When Zeppelins blackened the sky and U-boats challenged the Royal Navy's supremacy at sea, it was Heath Robinson's crazy cartoons and the antics of Bairnsfather's immortal 'Old Bill' that kept the British upper lip resolutely stiff. And who could take Kasier Bill, the Red Baron and all the mighty Prussians at all seriously when H.M. Bateman and Bert Thomas cocked a snook at all they held dear and the pages of "Punch", "Bystander", "London Opinion", "Le Rire", "Le Canard Enchaine" and such US journals as "Puck", "Judge" and "Life" kept everyone amused? But not all the cartoons were lighthearted. Indeed, the vicious drawings of Louis Raemakers were powerful enough to call Holland's neutrality into question and hard-hitting cartoons by such committed artists as Dyson, the American Art Young and David Low caused considerable embarrassment to their respective governments. The Central Powers also had a wealth of talent labouring to counteract the Allies' propaganda machine and prewar satirical journals such as "Kladderadatsch", "Simplicissimus" and "Jugend" rose to the challenge, producing some of the best work by such enduring artists as Johnson, Gulbransson and Grosz amongst others. Following on from the success of Grub Street's "World War II in Cartoons", also by Mark Bryant, this book examines cartoons from both sides of the conflict, both in colour and black-and-white, and skilfully blends them with text to produce this unique and significant visual history of the First World War.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Grub Street (December 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190494356X
• ISBN-13: 978-1904943563
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #797,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST FOR EVERY CARTOONIST, HISTORIAN OR POLITICIAN!!!, November 5, 2009

By 

Paco Calderón (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: World War I in Cartoons (Hardcover)

This review covers both Mark Bryant books:

This is perhaps the best collection ever compiled from both wars. Cartoons from all sides -not just Britain or the U.S.- printed in full color and mint condition! WORLD WAR I IN CARTOONS features lots of cartoons from all warring nations (Italy, Russia, Turkey, Japan, etc.) that most likely haven't been seen in generations, along with the best examples from France's Poliu, Britain's Punch and Germany's Simplicissimus. There's also a great deal of recruiting posters and War Bonds ads to delight one's eye (what great artists, by the way!). Cartoons are arranged chronologically by topics, so you can see what was being printed at the time of Belgium's rape, Churchill's sacking, or Hindenburg's Great Offensive.

WORLD WAR II IN CARTOONS works the same way, and presents the best works from all the great names one can remember -and then some! Low, Mauldin, the Kukryniksi, Giles, Steinberg, Fougasse, Arno, Soglow, Tim, Szyk, Breger ...even Walt Disney! Not to mention lots of less known -but neverheless great- cartoonists from all over the world. Both books a must of musts; DON'T MISS 'EM!!!

P.S.: I included politicians in the title because they could very well benefit from the way politicians past were lampooned. Maybe it would help them think twice before screwing things up (-whom am I kidding?)!