Get Your War On: The Definitive Account of George Bush's War on Terror 2001-2008 by David Rees

Product Details

Synopsis

Since October 9, 2001, when David Rees posted eight comic strips on his website and called it Get Your War On, tens of millions of people have been entertained and horrified by his clip-arty office workers and their vociferous and profane commentary on the so-called War on Terror. From the first few days of Operation Enduring Freedom to the overhyped pseudo-success of the “surge”—years of fear, bewilderment, violence, and death—Rees has succeeded in depicting a country of grieving, angry, and confused citizens, feeling hatred for—and hatred of—the world beyond our shores. Get Your War On is a kaleidoscopic cavalcade of emotions and moods, including (but not limited to) despair, enraged bewilderment, grief (with a touch of loathing), ecstatic contempt, disgust, and nihilistic exhilaration. This definitive edition of Get Your War On combines strips from the first two publications with sixty-five percent new material created in the last three years.

Publishers Weekly

"Outrageously funny" is the best description of this incendiary collection of strips that began on the Internet, then moved to Rolling Stone. In this official time of crisis, a lot of comedians, like politicians, were timidly respectful of authority, but not Rees. Beginning shortly after 9/11, he chronicled the blunders of the current administration, including the war in Iraq, the protracted death of Terry Schiavo, Abu Ghraib, Hurricane Katrina, etc.-all the events that make readers cringe when they remember what our leaders said versus the truth. The immobile, clip-art people in Rees's strips respond to this gap between words and facts by blurting incredulous profanity or mumbling bland rationalizations: one opines, "You can't make a freedom omelet without breaking a few international law eggs!" These hilarious rants probably will have more impact if read a few at a time, and they won't change anyone's opinion. However, they do successfully communicate one artist's horror at the things his fellow citizens have let happen. Get Your War On demonstrates that genuine indignation and liberating humor aren't incompatible. (Nov.)

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