An incomplete and inaccurate graphic history of life
Teaching kids to impart knowledge relies on project-based learning (PBL), graphic illustrations, An incomplete and inaccurate graphic history of life
Teaching kids to impart knowledge relies on project-based learning (PBL), graphic illustrations, video materials and other tools. After reading this book with the star-studded “positive” comments from Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Natalie Portman, we learn that a good marketing strategy works for sales, but not for knowledge to be gained.
It is an exciting journey through ancient times to discover the images, paintings, habitats, and pottery, left by our ancestors. But historical evidence for our ancestry also comes from paleo-biological studies of fossils. Interweaving recent discoveries, maps, and illustrations. Evolution tells the story of our origins. This book is narrated with an inquisitive child, an educator, a cop, and author Harari about our origins. There are several instances of inaccuracy and unscientific facts in this book, the examples are: Only homo sapiens can change their social system, and behavior in all animals is determined by their genetic system; homo sapiens had a cognitive revolution that made them different from other animals; and humans are still adapted to hunter-gather lifestyle. The last few pages are devoted to boring narratives of Diprotodons, the largest marsupials whose extinction was brought about by humans.
This book which brings life in 245 pages of illustrations miss out on critical historical facts. For example, there were five mass extinctions of life on the planet including the last event called the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event that occurred 66 million years ago. This wiped-out dinosaurs, and it was critical in creating geophysical conditions for the rapid evolution of mammals. The book barely mentions the relationship between humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans. There is genetic evidence for interbreeding with at least four archaic hominin species that included Neanderthals and Denisovans. The continental drift in the late Triassic Period (which lasted from approximately 251 million to 199.6 million years ago), the supercontinent of Pangea fragmented, and the continents began to move away from one another to the current structure creating new opportunities for species evolution.
The book has several cases of cultural insensitivities. The story is supposed to be narrated by a character referred to as Professor Saraswati, apparently referring to Hindu Goddess Saraswati of knowledge and learning who is depicted as a fat Indian lady with a large tilak on the forehead. The book also refers to birth of Christianity and Islam but do not refer to Hinduism, the oldest faith in the world. The earliest hymns of the sacred scriptures of Rig-Veda were written in 1700 B.C.E. They not only connect mankind to worshiping God, but also represent some of the finest poetry ever written in an ancient language....more
Sally Forth is one of the very few comic strips that clearly depict the life of a professional woman who plays the roles of a mThe Life of Sally Forth
Sally Forth is one of the very few comic strips that clearly depict the life of a professional woman who plays the roles of a mother, a wife, and boss to a few of her staff in an office. Her portrayal as a mother and wife is balanced, sensitive and humorous. This book is of 1994 edition and you expect to see Sally Forth in its early years when she was a secretary and her daughter Hilary was about 10 years old. The current newspaper strips have some new characters and a grown up Hilary with her own school friend named Fay.
This book of cartoons is predominantly focused on two people, Sally and her husband Ted with a few appearances by her daughter Hilary. Hence, reading this book is somewhat boring compared to the current strips where greater variety of topics is discussed in different scenarios. Although Hilary is young in this book she is matured for her age to make intelligent conversation with her parents. In one sketch she sarcastically asks her father how he felt about his wife having a business luncheon with "Indiana Jones" implying she went out with a cute guy; would it make him jealous? In another episode, Hilary scratches her knee after falling on a side walk and then suggests to her parents that she would like to sue the owner of the house responsible for keeping the side walk safe. The interaction between Sally and her boss Ralph, who is a "pig" in a woman's vocabulary, is a constant source of annoyance to Sally, but she has a way to square off with wit and charm. She also constantly worries if she is a good mother for her only daughter, which make her caring, sensitive and being responsible. The Ted - Sally interaction is romantic, caring and sometimes humorous. The chemistry between them is good; it is almost perfect.
The comic strips are in black and white and it doesn't feel the same way as reading current colored cartoon strips. Many strips in this book are specially written for the book as the length of many strips is larger than a typical Sunday Sally Forth comic strip.
Hi and Lois is one of my favorite comic strips that focuses on family. This story is about Flagstons, Hi and Lois and their fouThe life of Hi and Lois
Hi and Lois is one of my favorite comic strips that focuses on family. This story is about Flagstons, Hi and Lois and their four children; Chip, Ditto & Dot (twins), and baby Trixie. This comic strip portrays many fun activities such as family walks in the woods, picnic, skiing in winter, camping, father - son talks about issues related young adults, celebration of father's day, celebration of mother's day, etc. This is also one of the few strips that gives some prominence to the thoughts of little Trixie that touches readers through her beliefs on sunbeam, her brothers and sister and the immediate environment.
In one sketch, during a skiing trip, Flagstons (who always go with their four children) get lost on skiing slope. In another strip, Ditto's Mud Hen's baseball team loses, and get depressed but the whole atmosphere changes when Lois bring food for the losers! In another sketch, the father and son Chip go for a walk in the woods, Hi asks his son where does he wants to go to school, Chip cheerfully admits that he likes a "party school" so that he can have all the fun before he starts working like his dad. On father's day, Lois gives $150 to her kids to treat their dad; Hi makes good use of his day, by playing around of golf, a visit to burger place, then bowling, followed by a visit to the ice cream place. Lois gets annoyed when she finds out how expensive it is to entertain her husband. In a recent sketch on the same subject, Hi goes to play golf with his buddy Thurston, in the morning, with Lois's approval, and eats his breakfast in the evening on his bed. The bewildered kids ask why he is eating his breakfast so late, she replies, it is the father's day.
Over the years the sketches about family picnics, ski trips, mother's day, father's day, father-son talks have not changed much but the Flagstons are a delightful bunch and they make great neighbors. ...more
This is an interesting book of cartoons, with a catchy title by the author Mark Tatulli right in time for the Halloween of Lio's book of known horrors
This is an interesting book of cartoons, with a catchy title by the author Mark Tatulli right in time for the Halloween of 2009: It is a great marketing strategy. Looking through this book you come across interesting piece of history of cartoon character Lio. You get to see the first drawing of the cartoon character and the evolution of Lio as the concept progressed. Some of the highlights include the following: The piece on the first appearance of Peanut characters on Lio is very funny. The bubble-bath strip written for Detroit Free Press was deemed too suggestive is very tacky. The Dagwood sandwich of the cartoon character of comic strip "Blondie," without a toothpick looks like Dagwood's head floating on the sandwich. The groovy chick robot from Fritz Lang's classic silent movie, Metropolis is nicely used in the depiction of the carton strip. The use of the Return of Swamp Thing in color is very creative and well presented.
This book of cartoons is funny and sometimes too suggestive. The choice of the author of using a lot of grotesque characters is appropriate for Halloween but not everyday is Halloween. Overall it is a fun comic strip worth reading. ...more
It is not a sweet feeling to scan through the funny sections of Scott Hilburn. Although this comic strip makes a differeThe gargling of Argyle Sweater
It is not a sweet feeling to scan through the funny sections of Scott Hilburn. Although this comic strip makes a difference by portraying various animals such as bears, flies, bees, pirates, cannibals, dogs, fish, cats, and cavemen much the same way as human beings. It feels like the author is an equal opportunity comic who gives equal participation for all animals. There is certainly some creativity, but the strips are neither funny nor does it have any substance. Humor and substance are the two basic requirements of a cartoon. I am a daily reader of funny pages that include; Blondie, Hi and Lois, Dennis the Menace, Sally Forth, Beetle Bailey, and Peanuts, but I did not particularly like the humor of this comic strip. I hope other reviewers have something positive to say about this carton collection. ...more
One of the best cartoon-strips; treasure this book
If you are a fan of the cartoon strip, Blondie, then you must treasure a copy of this great compendiOne of the best cartoon-strips; treasure this book
If you are a fan of the cartoon strip, Blondie, then you must treasure a copy of this great compendium. Chic Young is one of the best creators of a cartoon character and his creation has entertained millions of fans all over the world. This book is the ultimate prize for the fans since it contains some of the best strips.
The Dagwood & Blondie are wonderful couple, and they have two children, Alexander and Cookie. Dagwood works for a construction company, called Dither's Company. Dagwood by nature is generally clumsy, disorganized, sleeps on the job, and loves food. Blondie is very beautiful, a great wife, good cook, and a caring mother. Busmstead's best friends are their next door neighbors, Herb and Tootsie Woodley, the family dog, Daisy, his boss Mr. Dithers, mailman Mr. Beasley, the neighborhood kid Elmo Tuttle, and Lou, the proprietor of the local diner. Through the years, Blondie is transformed from being a house wife to owning a catering business with Tootsie as her partner. The rest of the story remained the same over the years.
The book includes very early strips from the series, when Dagwood and Blondie likes to marry but his parents refuse to accept his choice and insist that he marry a girl from a wealthy family. They get married in Feb 1933! The strips are presented in seven chapters under titles; Getting married, Family life, Dagwood at work, Blondie goes to work, Favorite strips and the 75 anniversary. My favorite is the 75 anniversary, where Dagwood appears in other cartoon strips. In cartoon strip, Sally Forth, Ted Forth asks Sally, "Why the dorky-looking guys always score the hot-looking women." Sally responds, "You tell me." In Hi and Lois, Bumsteads invite the couple for their anniversary and Lois asks if she could bring Trixie. Trixie is bewildered when Blondie says that "as long as Trixie doesn't take the spotlight." Beetle Bailey, Barney Google and Snuffy Smith, Hagar the Horrible, and B.C have contributed beautifully to make the Bumsteads anniversary a real success.
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