America Gone Wild: Cartoons by Ted Rall
Grade 10 Up—Rall's style of humor ranges from abrasive to just plain silly. Often the barbs are designed to make readers confront uncomfortable subjects. This collection of cartoons is accompanied by a long essay in which the author elaborates on the inspiration and aftermath surrounding some of his most controversial cartoons. Brief annotations add depth to readers' understanding of his work or put his words and drawings in a new light. His commentary on 9/11 and the Iraq war earned him death threats as well as ridicule, and pressure from conservatives has coincided with decisions by some media outlets to withdraw his syndication. He shares some of the hateful e-mails he has received, and their hyperbole is oddly reminiscent of Rall's own satire. The author describes his fervent addiction to cable news, and his knowledge of world politics is evident in his nuanced references to current events. By contrast, his caricature of George W. Bush lacks any notion of subtlety—Bush sports pointy fangs and a dictatorial military getup. The blockish bodies and high-contrast black-and-white faces add an almost deadpan delivery to the artist's humor. In addition to political cartoons that have been featured in national newspapers such as theNew York Times, this volume includes comics that appeared in the magazineMen's Health. With these panels, Rall turns his scathing wit on relationships and the human condition. Politically aware teens will find his work provocative.—Heidi Dolamore, San Mateo County Library, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.