In 2006, a cartoon in a Danish newspaper depicted the Prophet Mohammed wearing a bomb in his turban. The cartoon created an international incident, with offended Muslims attacking Danish embassies and threatening the life of the cartoonist. Editorial cartoons have been called the most extreme form of criticism society will allow, but not all cartoons are tolerated. Unrestricted by journalistic standards of objectivity, editorial cartoonists wield ire and irony to reveal the naked truths about presidents, celebrities, business leaders, and other public figures. Indeed, since the founding of the republic, cartoonists have made important contributions to and offered critical commentary on our society. Today, however, many syndicated cartoons are relatively generic and gag-related, reflecting a weakening of the newspaper industry's traditional watchdog function. Chris Lamb offers a richly illustrated and engaging history of a still vibrant medium that "forces us to take a look at ourselves for what we are and not what we want to be." The 150 drawings in Drawn to Extremes have left readers howling-sometimes in laughter, but often in protest.

In 2006, a cartoon in a Danish newspaper depicted the Prophet Mohammed wearing a bomb in his turban. The cartoon created an international incident, with offended Muslims attacking Danish embassies and threatening the life of the cartoonist. Editorial cartoons have been called the most extreme form of criticism society will allow, but not all cartoons are tolerated. Unrestricted by journalistic standards of objectivity, editorial cartoonists wield ire and irony to reveal the naked truths about presidents, celebrities, business leaders, and other public figures. Indeed, since the founding of the republic, cartoonists have made important contributions to and offered critical commentary on our society. Today, however, many syndicated cartoons are relatively generic and gag-related, reflecting a weakening of the newspaper industry's traditional watchdog function. Chris Lamb offers a richly illustrated and engaging history of a still vibrant medium that "forces us to take a look at ourselves for what we are and not what we want to be." The 150 drawings in Drawn to Extremes have left readers howling-sometimes in laughter, but often in protest.

About the Author
Chris Lamb is an associate professor of communication at the College of Charleston. His articles on editorial cartooning have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Houston Chronicle, Baltimore Sun, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and trade journal Editor & Publisher.

Reviews
The insightfully selected cartoons alone are worth the book. -- Kathleen Hall Jamieson Lamb's research, however, pays off in his enlightening history of cartooning, loaded with entertaining incidents beyond the well-known. -- James Poniewozik Bookforum If political cartoonists were to draw Chris Lamb, it might be as their knight, charging into battle. -- Nina C. Ayoub Chronicle of Higher Education [Lamb's] book is passionately argued...and the dozens of reproductions are fantastic. Financial Times A book that will serve as a wake-up call to those who refuse to acknowledge the diminution of freedom of expression and democratic ideals in the U.S...Essential Choice A thoughtfully composed and well-illustrated investigation of the role of those who serve as society's watchdogs. ForeWord Magazine An important step forward for scholarship concerning editorial cartooning. -- David W. Park Political Communication Lamb's book is a welcome look at a type of journalism that is given extraordinary latitude. -- H.J. Kirchhoff Globe and Mail



Book Information
ISBN 9780231130677
Author Chris Lamb
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press