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isbel's review
3.0
Her ill istraions are so beautiful but her reverence of democracy and cops and the army and our founding fathers is misplaced. They are bad people. End.
spiralbound89's review
2.0
I typically read all the way to the end of a book, even if I dont care for it, but this one I chose not to finish. It's imaginative and insightful... but didnt keep my interest.
ryner's review against another edition
3.0
A gorgeous, fun and eclectic graphic tour of significant people and places in early American history, with thoughtful commentary on democracy as well as numerous other random and charming observations. I'm surprised I hadn't encountered Kalman's work previously, as she is quite prolific. I like the insightful way she thinks, and it seems like she'd be fun to hang out with.
gglazer's review
5.0
I want to elect Maira Kalman president of everything and get this book for everyone in the world. It's a sort of illustrated diary of a year she spent thinking about the history of this country and visiting various places, and you learn a little bit about random parts of American history (and a lot about the way her amazing mind works).
It manages to be both humble and profound -- and really beautiful, handwritten and illustrated with her distinctive colorful drawings. This is going to be my new go-to gift for anyone who even remotely likes history or art or poetry or anything at all.
It manages to be both humble and profound -- and really beautiful, handwritten and illustrated with her distinctive colorful drawings. This is going to be my new go-to gift for anyone who even remotely likes history or art or poetry or anything at all.
jdgcreates's review
5.0
I felt like a kid on Christmas morning when I heard Maira Kalman had a new book out! Drooling over "Principles of Uncertainty" was a personal revelation (what?! no one told me you could make your interesting, witty, beautiful journal into a BOOK!) and her new volume is no less majestic. Remember that history teacher you had who was a little eccentric but loved teaching and always digressed during lectures--only you couldn't tell they were digressions because they were so damned interesting? Meet Maira. She'll be your guide on the coolest (and most wonderfully illustrated) carpet ride through America's past and present ever offered to freedom-loving citizens with short attention spans and no gift for remembering important dates.
sarahsponda's review
5.0
I love Kalman's art, but this was the first time I read something besides her picturebooks. If it wasn't a library book, I'd have carefully removed a ton of the illustrations and hung them on the wall.
Funny, touching, amusing, thoughtful ... historical, inspirational. Good stuff.
Funny, touching, amusing, thoughtful ... historical, inspirational. Good stuff.