The Cartoon History of the Modern World: Part II: From the Bastille to Baghdad by Larry Gonick

Gonick, Larry. (2009). The Cartoon History of the Modern World: Part II: From the Bastille to Baghdad. Harper, New York, NY. ISBN:  978-0-06-076008-3.

Author website: http://www.larrygonick.com/

Media: pen and India ink

Genre: nonfiction, history, cartoon, graphic novel

Annotation

The last volume of Larry Gonick’s 30+ year magnum opus Cartoon History of the World series. Like the other volumes, this volume takes Modern history presents assiduously diligent research and scholarly data, while illustrating finer historical nuances, then adds memorable twists and scintillating comical information, then puts it all into graphic novel format.

My thoughts

Voila. This is a history book that is anti-textbook boredom and provides insights, perspectives, wisdom, irony, and humor. There are disasters, near disasters, and should have been disasters. Along with history that does not make it into the typical world history book. Importantly, this book takes textbook history and condenses it into memorable easy-to-learn history in a contemporary format that will appeal to teenagers and adults.

It starts by covering China and Japan then continues to Enlightenment then propels forward onward for the next 300 pages to conclude the journey of modern history with the recent economic crisis. The panels don’t sugarcoat history or try to leave out unpleasant details. It’s real history really funny.

Curricular connections

Larry Gonick interview* quotes- 

“Humor is a teaching tool. The best humor, the best jokes, the most meaningful are the ones that come out of some unexpected connection in the narrative.”

In response to why do people respond to the cartoon histories, Larry Gonick comments “because in general history is such a dull subject and people are so happy and relieved to find something that treats it in a way that entertains them and makes it come alive. To me, history is the record of all the best stories that have happened to human beings. Everything that you want in good literature.”

*This is from a video accessible on youtube see below.

Reading level/ Interest Age

Teen and up

Reviews and Awards

“Lively cartooning and pretension-puncturing wit.” (Booklist )

“The final installment of Gonick’s deeply funny and impeccably researched series has finally arrived... Brilliantly funny, the series finds the inherent humor in history...” (Publishers Weekly )

“Funny, informative, and comprehensive, Gonick’s history concludes with this second volume. His unique wit, sense of irony, and passion for humanity’s complex story of triumphs, compromises, and disasters are as evident here as they are in his previous books... An insightful review of history.” (School Library Journal)

… and many other positive reviews.