As a historian who bemoans the lack of interest shown by most kids today in the subject, I applaud Larry Gonick for giving us another tool to use in trying to spark enthusiasm. The humor is great, and in some places almost bawdy, which keeps a teenager's attention far better than a list of emperors in a textbook. Example: Julius Ceasar tries to ask an intellectual question of Cleaopatra. She responds as she leans over him seductively, "You sure talk a lot for a guy with your reputation." All the scandal and sex and violence of history (and the religions that have driven it) are here, not hidden as they are in most texts. All the excitement of pop culture, but with substance behind it, not to mention an excellent bibliography. This series is the only set of books that I have known students to actually read from cover to cover without expecting a test. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in history, or anyone with a sense of humor.
He devotes lengthy chapters to Chinese, Indian, as well as European and Middle Eastern history, giving the reader a great sense of how history unfolded.
My only reservation is that sometimes Mr. Gonick goes for the more controversial interpretation of history (i.e. the sexual preferences of some major historical figures, etc.), which I'm sure are intended partly for fun and humor. Nevertheless, he does present views that are rarely voiced in mainstream history texts, and as in any academic endeavour, divergent opinions are the best way to reach the truth.
Kudos for Mr. Gonick, and hoping that vol. III will be on the way soon.
Of course, that's left me waiting five years for volume III to come out . . . hurry up, Larry, I need you to get me mad again.
