Richard H. Minear

The political comics of Theodor Geisel are presented in this book with enough background, commentary, and context to be really appreciated. The political points being promoted by each comic aren't always obvious, and Richard Minear's elaborations are as illuminating as they are concise.

He also doesn't sugar-coat or excuse the problems of Mr. Geisel's work, pointing out how Geisel addressed racism against Jewish and Black people while also being unselfconsciously racist against Japanese people (including Japanese-Americans).

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I learned much more about World War II (and especially domestic US politics at the time) from it than I had expected to.… (mehr)

As we sit on the brink of WWIII (or far in its depths according to some sources) reading this collection of Dr. Seuss's editorial cartoons from the WWII era is especially poignant. Written and illustrated during the mid-point of his career they come as no surprise , I'm sure, to any reader of his books with half a brain - tepid children's stories they are not (always) and his comics provide a medium for even more pointed jabs at the establishment, the status quo, and the general laziness in society. Unfortunately, hindsight may be 20/20, but we don't seem to have learned much...… (mehr)

Rather interesting read. Honestly, not a big fan of dr Seuss, although one of the nieces likes his books (and I appreciate anything that encourages her to read...), I do recognize his influence on popular culture.
The cartoons in this anthology reveal yet another side of the man, and his thinking. On one side, he is rather enlightened, against segregation, pro-enviroment, on the other side, his racism towards Japan is shocking (even before Pearl Harbor). On the other hand, in that era, it was a rather common occurance, aided of course by propaganda, sometimes disguised... (The country song 'smoke on the water' comes to mind...))

All in all, no matter if you like dr. Seuss or not, this book gives an enlightening insight into the American mind of the times.… (mehr)