Cartoon History of the Universe I

[viscousmemories]

One of the drawbacks of dropping out of school in Junior High followed by 20 years of trying to kill yourself with excessive alcohol consumption is that you don't get a proper education. Yeah sure, I've learned a few things here and there as the years have gone by - mostly from reading books or sharing a bong with educated folks. (Growing up in a college town has its perks). But anyway, yeah, big glaring holes in my knowledge. Enter...

The Cartoon History of the Universe I (http://www.larrygonick.com/html/pub/books/his1.html)

The first book, which contains volumes 1-7, covers a lot of ground. It starts with the big bang and ends with an introduction to Alexander the Great. Most of what I learned about ancient history came from biblical literalists, so it was interesting to read a lot of familiar stories from a more modern, secular perspective.

Why begin earlier than the birth of the universe? Includes the evolution of life on earth, the origin of sex, the first humans, the early civilizations of the Middle East, ancient Israel, and a full 150 pages on ancient Greece.

The second book (which I've just begun) starts off talking about the origins of Hinduism. Did you know it was once customary for Hindu wives to leap into their husband's cremation fire? Or that the word 'avatar' comes from the supposed human incarnations of Vishnu? I didn't. I highly recommend these books to anyone who wants a humorous, easy-to-read introduction to the history of our universe.

[Ymir's blood]

Most of what I learned about ancient history came from biblical literalists, so it was interesting to read a lot of familiar stories from a more modern, secular perspective.
As someone interested in comics and history, I may have to check it out.

A book that I really enjoyed along a similar vein (though without pictures unfortunately ;) ) was Isaac Asimov's History of the World* It covers the formation of the planet through the second world war and is broken up into time frames of decreasing length. (early stuff in millennia, later centuries, then decades etc...) Each time period is then broken up into countries and nations to give a cross cut picture of the times. The writing is good and it covers a lot of stuff that you don't see in most history classes.

*Part One ;) No giant joints in it though. :weed:

Actually it was intended to be the first part but I don't know if a second one (post WWII) was ever released.

[Ymir's blood]

Hmm, Amazon has it for less than $15. I will try and throw it onto my next order. (When the Star Wars trilogy is released at the end of the month! :vader: :fett: :trooper: :leia: :greedo: :yoda: :wookie: :luke: :crow: )

Cartoon History... (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385265204/qid=1095121116/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-2752373-2155149?v=glance&s=books)

Star Wars Trilogy (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00003CXCT/qid=1095121399/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-2752373-2155149?v=glance&s=dvd)

[viscousmemories]

Hmm. I did some searching and came up with Isaac Asimov's Chronology of the World. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0062700367/002-1608832-8240810?v=glance) I think that might be what you're talking about, based on blurbs there. It sounds really fascinating, too. Thanks for the tip. :)

[viscousmemories]

:vader: :fett: :trooper: :leia: :greedo: :yoda: :wookie: :luke: :crow:
Are we playing "One of these things is not like the other"? What's a crow have to do with Star Wars. :?

[Ymir's blood]

Hmm. I did some searching and came up with Isaac Asimov's Chronology of the World. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0062700367/002-1608832-8240810?v=glance) I think that might be what you're talking about, based on blurbs there. It sounds really fascinating, too. Thanks for the tip. :)
oops, right you are. The word Chronology is behind something on my bookshelf. Guess the Mel Brooks meme took over from there.

Are we playing "One of these things is not like the other"? What's a crow have to do with Star Wars.
He would have gone great with 'The Phantom Menace!'


:rimshot:

[viscousmemories]

He would have gone great with 'The Phantom Menace!'
I guess. I don't remember seeing anyone but Natalie Portman. :D

[livius drusus]

Yes, anyhoo, enough about Star Warts. (Sorry, very bitter about no originals on DVD.) I've read CH I and II, but there's a III (http://www.larrygonick.com/html/pub/books/his3.html) out now and I'm totally gonna snag that. I've already read the CH of the United States (http://www.larrygonick.com/html/pub/books/his4.html): It's what Zinn would do if he could draw.

[Ymir's blood]

Yes, anyhoo, enough about Star Warts. (Sorry, very bitter about no originals on DVD.)
I don't like the Special Edition either, but to me at least, it beats what I've got now... nothing. :\

[Dlanod]

The Cartoon History books are great. Volume III came out in 2002 and takes us through the Renaissance. Larry Gonick, the author/illustrator of the Cartoon History series, has done numerous other illustrated guides that are just as much fun.

A few in his series include:

Cartoon Guide to Chemistry
Cartoon Guide to Genetics
Cartoon Guide to Physics
Cartoon Guide to Sex
Cartoon Guide to Statistics
Cartoon Guide to the Computer
Cartoon Guide to the Environment

Some are more successful at conveying their ideas than others, but overall they are a good introduction to each of the topics. There is a good deal of humor in each book which can certainly make subjects like statistics more interesting!

- Donald