Lines of Contention: Political Cartoons of the Civil War Paperback – November 13, 2007
by J. G. Lewin (Author), P.J. Huff (Author)
The political turmoil of the Civil War Era has been analyzed many times, but one area of this period's history is often overlooked: a large body of humorous, clever, and scathing editorial cartoons from publications such as Harper's Weekly, Vanity Fair, Punch, and Leslie's Illustrated.
In Lines of Contention, the best of these cartoons has finally been collected into one place to illuminate the social, political, and cultural climate of Civil War—Era America. The cartoons have been pulled from both sides of the fence and provide insight into the incidents and opinions surrounding the war as well as the mind-sets and actions of all the major figures. Lines of Contention presents a unique history of the Civil War and its participants.
About the Author
J. G. Lewin and P. J. Huff are freelance writers who specialize in popular and military history.
A biting look at Civil War America
By Scott Mingus on November 19, 2007
Format: Paperback
Jim Lewin and P.J. Huff have collaborated in the past on other works, but this may be their best effort to date. In this new book from Collins (ISBN 006113788X), they take a fresh look at the political turmoil of the Civil War through the eyes of the satirists and political cartoonists of the era, drawing heavily upon contemporary sketches, woodcuts, and drawings from a myriad host of political commentators of the era. They reproduce scores of old cartoons from the pages of such once famous publications as Vanity Fair, Harper's Weekly, and Leslie's Illustrated. As would be expected (and similar to today's political satirists), a large number of the illustrations deal with President Lincoln and his war policies, with few cartoonists in support of his goals and philosophies. They poke fun of his appearance, his leadership, and his course of action, much like modern cartoonists rip the current president and other leading politicians of both parties.
Lewin and Huff have assembled a delightful collection of period cartoons, an assortment that conveys the artists' opinions and emotions as to the course of the war, the state of the country (both North and South), and they portray the social, cultural, and political climate in a way that few other books have to date. At 224 pages profusely illustrated with period political cartoons, this book is a winner. It is a worthy addition to the body of literature dealing with America at war with itself.
Product Details
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harper Perennial (November 13, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006113788X
ISBN-13: 978-0061137884
Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 7.2 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (
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