Prehistory of the Far Side

Rating:
Summary: Hilaricus Garylarsonicus Bookicus!
Review: Warning! This book can cause you to be rushed to the Emergency Room with sides aching so bad, you think they're going to split open! This book had me roaring from beginning to end. I bought it over ten years ago, and it STILL cracks me up! OK, now it's well past the time for the 20th Anniversary edition!

Rating:
Summary: The Man Behind the Curtain
Review: _Prehistory_ is a rewarding collection of anecdotes and prototypes of Far Side cartoons. Obviously this book is essential for anyone who considers themself to be a fan of the strip. Larsen gives us a peek into how his ideas take shape, and tells some very funny stories about getting started. I especially enjoyed reading how he only took one portfolio to San Francisco with him. It was a great story. The reason I'm not giving it the full five stars is because I thought that there could have been more material divulged by the author. The last third of the book is only cartoons. While they often speak for themselves (hilariously so) I wished that Larson would have stuck around more at the end of the book to elucidate some of his concepts and generally do this thing. A fun, fast read. Worth your ten dollars.