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(Paperback - Books #1-7 in 1 Volume)
An entertaining and informative illustrated guide that makes world history accessible, appealing, and funny.
In seven wild and witty chapters, cartoonist Larry Gonick takes us on an uproarious joyride through the ancient world. Gonick's brilliant insights, exuberant humor, and delightful drawings combine to make a truly unique work that is sure to be a valuable resource as well as a great escape for all ages. Black-and-white illustrations.
Gonick's hilariously informative history of the planet is a great addition to the growing field of comics trade books. Starting with the Big Bang theory and moving on to the ``evolution of everything,'' he manages to cover three billion years--from the origins of cellular life to the fossil and dinosaur periods that followed, right up to the first appearance of hominids--all with casual erudition, silly humor and delightfully cartoony black-and-white drawings. But Gonick doesn't stop there. He reinstates the record of women (their theoretical role in the development of agriculture and the matrilineal clans of the neolithic era) as well as accurately restoring black racial characteristics to the Egyptian dynasties. He also surveys other highly evolved ancient civilizations: the Sumerians, the Hittites, the Assyrians and the Israelites. Gonick cheerfully conjures rulers, warriors and slaves alike, many stumbling around in the desert, as they form the foundations for Western civilization. This is Gonick's first book. (Sept.)
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January 21, 2008: I love this book. nothing is better on a dreary day than sitting down with this book and reading it for hours. It's for those who have never understood history 'but can just as easily be for those knowledgeable historians and critics' because of how easy, fun, and informative it is. It can be blunt about gory details, but that adds to the overall imagery of the book. It portrays the events casually and light-heartedly, which makes it all the funnier. The illustrations are exellent, and add more to the imagery and fun, sometimes distorting 'sometimes blunt abut certain points' but tell the truth, or whatever's closest. He sometimes adds random tidbits to enhance the story. Overall, great book!!
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December 06, 2005: Fabulous book, great series. When is the author going to complete his long awaited follow-up to volume three? We are looking forward to his book about the Americas and Renaissance going forward. How long will his fans have to wait?