Rating: 
Summary: Fun and Educational
Review: This volume of world history in comic book form is priceless! The artwork is not the greatest, but it is certainly competent and accomplishes its job. But what makes this book worthwhile is its alternative take on history. Instead of focusing on stories about famous conquerors (although they are not ignored), it is about what history must have been like for the average person, all with a rather biting, cynical sense of humour. For example, it shows WHY Socrates was hated so much (because, like such 1960s gurus as Timothy Leary he helped turn young people into rebellious thinkers who questioned the sacredly held opinions of their parents, whether or not Socrates did so intentionally). Gonick turns historic figures into living, breathing people instead of mere acts or ideas.The Cartoon History doesn't quite reach the level of social criticism of A People's History of the United States, nor will it tear down your current understanding of historic events, but it still manages to be very iconoclastic merely by pointing out the silliness of humans throughout history (illustrating how little we've changed!) and through its more 'common person's' perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Fantasticly Funny Summary of History
Review: Though I'm just a kid I could really understand this book. I love History and humor. If you do to this is the perfect combination in cartoon form!
Rating:
Summary: A must for any home library!
Review: Want to read about history without reading about history? Buy this book! Not only does is serve up science in a way to keep you awake but it slices up history into easy to swallow portions too. If you find chapters or subjects that pique your interest beyond that provided by the witty cartoon panels, the book has the most extensive bibliography (with reviews!) you could ask for. I bought my copy many years ago and it drove me to reread all those Greek Classics that I slept through while I was in school! It is apparent that portions of the Ancient Greece section was drawn earlier when Mr. Gonick was developing his style. His wit is trenchant in all the chapters in a way to make the reader think. Summary: I wish I had this book when I was in school...
Rating:
Summary: Fun Reading
Review: What a book! It's been read and re-read several times in my family and isn't put down for long. Excellent 10,000 foot description of the events it covers, with a boldy comical description of the events it covers. I can't wait to enjoy his other books!
Rating:
Summary: Entertainment first, history a distant second
Review: While you can learn a lot of history from this book of cartoons, it takes some time before you understand how they are structured. The explanatory text is generally historically accurate, but the dialog in the character bubbles is for humorous effect. There are times when the explanatory text is not meant to be taken seriously, and it is generally clear when that is the case.
It starts with the big bang, which is the beginning of the universe. From that, it describes the creation of the planets, the origin of life and how it evolved to make humans. Once humans are present, it largely becomes a tale of the development of civilizations and the wars over the products of those civilizations. The civilizations described are those of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Turkey, Greece, Persia and Palestine.
I enjoyed this book immensely, it is occasionally very funny, and it does teach you some history. However, it should be considered as a piece of entertainment first and a history book a distant second.
Rating:
Summary: Laugh-out-loud history with social commentary
Review: You have to love this cartoon history with a decidedly feminist perspective and a thorough treatment of the Bible--about as warped as Monty Python but still accurate. This is where I got the genesis of my screenplay "Pericles," from the pages on Aspasia and Pericles: "What could an ambitious woman do in those days? She could associate with powerful men...Aspasia met Pericles...BWOWM" (schwing)
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