Rating: 
Summary: Everything you wanted to know about the Wizard of Oz
Review: This holiday season I am coming on strong as the Ghost of Christmas past and one of the things I am strongly advocating are annotated editions of beloved books. One title that has to be on any short lists of beloved books would be "The Wizard of Oz." As you know, this book is a potent political allegory representing a nation divided between an agricultural past, represented by the Scarecrow, and the industrial future, symbolized by the Tin Woodman. Baum's position on the free silver issue that dominated American politics at the turn of the last century is self-evident, from the silver slippers that Dorothy wears to the caricature of William Jennings Bryan as the Cowardly Lion. Of course, this interpretation has been around for years and you can certainly make up your mind after reading what Michael Patrick Hearn has put together in this wonderful Centennial Edition of "The Annotated Wizard of Oz." For starters, we have all of the original illustrations by W. W. Denslow, reproduced in their correct colors. That alone is worth having, but this volume also includes lots of rare drawings, photographs, and maps having to do with Baum's classic tale. Hearn's annotations focus not only on where Baum got his ideas but where "The Wizard of Oz" fits into the grand scheme of folk tales and children's stories as well as Baum's collective writings. Obviously, Hearn knows about a lot more than just Baum's career and writings, but he avoids sounding like a scholar speaking from an ivory tower. Obviously, "The Annotated Wizard of Oz" is not for the first time reader. I would contend that an annotated edition of this, or any other beloved book like "Anne of Green Gables," "Alice in Wonderland," or "The Hobbit," is for those who are in double-figures when it comes to the number of times they have read the book in question. This is a chance to discover new levels of meanings. There is really no need for persuasion here: if you know how you feel about this story and you see what is collected in this annotated version, that should be more than enough to convince you this is worth getting for yourself (or someone you love) even if you do not find it under the tree on Christmas morning.
Rating: 
Summary: A good reference book.
Review: This is quite a thorough reference book for Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It contains about 70 pages of biographical information about Baum, a history of the Oz series including some color plates, and related discussions; a reproduction of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz printed with correct colors with thorough annotations; a 20 page section about W. W. Denslow's illustrations beyond the collaboration with Baum; and 20 pages of bibliography.
Hearn makes a point of saying that the reproduction of the Wizard reproduces the colors correctly; this is probably less of an issue now that high quality facsimile editions are available, unlike say the Dover edition of 1960. There are plenty of annotations, often fairly long, which are interesting but aren't in the category of opening up whole new worlds of perspective on the book. There are also some b&w photos and some other illustrations which hadn't been previously published. The Annotated Wizard is probably most of interest to those with a particular fascination about Oz, and those who are interested in a historical perspective and context for Baum's first Oz book. It would have been nice if it were printed on higher quality paper -- especially the color plates.
28 x 22 cm (landscape), hardcover, 384 pages + 32 unnumbered pages of color plates. New York: Clarkson N. Potter Inc, 1973. LCCN 72-80842.
Rating:
Summary: A CLASSIC ABOUT A CLASSIC!
Review: This is THE book to honor the centennial of Oz. Everyone in my family - from my 4-year-old grandson to my 89-year old mother is crazy about it. It has everything you ever wanted to know about OZ and more. But seriously, Hearn is the world's leading authority on Baum and his work. (If you saw the delightful TV movie DREAMER OF OZ - it was based on Hearn's work in progress.) The story behind this book is fascinating in itself. Hearn wrote it while an undergraduate at Bard College, finishing it at age 21; and, with the blessing of Martin Gardner, author of THE ANNOTATED ALICE, Hearn's book was published in 1973 when Hearn was but 23. In the ensuing decades, Hearn has never ceased researching and uncovering more and more incredible Ozzy facts and folklore. All who love Oz will find their appreciation of both the book and the famous movie increased 100-fold (seriously!) by this amazing investigative work. The reader will learn not only all there is to know about Oz, but will also be greatly enriched by the historical and cultural contexts in which Hearn places Baum's work. It is a glorious volume with all of the original illustrations by W. W. Denslow in their original colors, plus many other rare and previously unknown pictures.
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Summary: A Benchmark for the Wizard of Oz by Michael Patrick Hearn
Review: Twenty-seven years ago, in 1973, Michael Hearn's first publication of The Annotated Wizard of Oz was released. This past year was my first experience with Michael Hearn's contribution to L. Frank Baum's Oz in his first volume. I had already read Hearn's The Annotated Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens and found I was very impressed by his work. I completed the 1973 volume about 8 months before the release of the new Centennial Edition. Coming from my Oz film orientation my familiarity with Frank Baum's books was negligible. At one point in private school, as an elementary school student, my teacher who was probably familiar with my Oz film experience gave me the book Wizard of Oz to read. I felt later that she wanted me to know that the MGM film was not the real Wizard of Oz. After reading the book, I was sure that the book must be wrong, as it was not like the film. I, like many other people, believed for years that the film was what made Frank Baum's books quite famous. This point being erroneous is made quite clear by Michael Hearn's commentary on the matter. I have happily given up my allusion for the actual facts of the matter. I could take up the torch and go on and on about the fact that Frank Baum was a genius when it came to the children's books he wrote in his life time. He did take children's literature in a new direction away from a kind of formula writing that for years had dominated children's literature. He also brought about not only entertainment but also a thought provoking kind of fairy tale not inane in its nature. He created a cast of characters with all the qualities we see in ourselves and our friends with the ability to overcome problems and learn that life's entire quest has viable answers if we look for them. It is almost like meeting an alien from a society who has the same characteristics we do and the only basic difference is appearance. For the first time America had it's own writer of children's stories that surpassed anything that had thus far been written for young people. It is very difficult to single out any one part of Michael Patrick Hearn's new book as the crown or epitome of this scholarly work. What I can tell you is that with this newest book, I have found a new appreciation for all concerned. In particular, Mr. Hearn faced no small task to write so extensively about others, the Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum, and even W. W. Denslow, and yet not negate through intrusion into that which he wrote. This book has taken me to another dimension of understanding at a deeper level. What a wonderful feeling it is to be able have another human so understood that they become a part of who you are. That comradeship that exists between good friends for a lifetime of pleasure and depth of understanding is indeed a rare possession. On the aesthetics of this book, the appearance is a vast improvement over the previous volume. The beautiful colors and Denslow's illustrations are a real plus for the book. I like the new shape and size of the book. It actually fits on my bookshelf without being obtrusive. I now can see the beautiful spine of the book as it sits on its appointed shelf. This is a wonderful book and I think in general it should be required reading for every student of the world regardless of age and every Ozoholic in particular.
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