Amazon.com Review
One of the beautiful things about comics is that it is possibly the best medium for combining education and entertainment. No one knows this better than Larry Gonick, whose Cartoon History series spans many subjects. Whether you are a fan of history, comics, or Gonick's books, The Cartoon History of the Universe I is a great place to start. Part I contains volumes 1 to 7, from the Big Bang to Alexander the Great.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 50 reviews)

Wow! If only high school/college history had been this fun and insightful

You know it takes a comic to get to heart of humanity. In most history books you get a narrow point of view, and one that is usually "politically correct" according to the standards of the day. By making a comic version of history, the author can get around all of the "PC"ness of most history books and really hit home with the way humanity *is* and *always was.* The "sheep love" of early humans was a laugh riot. I never learned so much while having such a good time.

I recommend these for history buffs and non-history buffs. Really it's just a good read period. Forget that it's history.
June 03, 2008

readable history

This book and the other two in this series don't make history less complex but they sure make it readable!
October 19, 2007

Funny History

My older sister originally bought me and my younger sister the computer program. That was a few years ago, but it was a nice dry sarcastic, but silly humor.
Then I ordered this book, which has much the same type of humor. I wish it were in color instead of black and white, but otherwise, a fun way to "read" history.
October 10, 2007

I wish we had this during grade school?

I highly recommend this book. It's well written, it's occasionally funny and very readable. Volumes 1 to 7 starts with the Big Bang, to the evolution, to the first great civilizations (Sumer, Egypt and the Greeks), and ends with Alexander the Great reaching India.

I was so impressed about the presentation that I thought - why isn't there an animated version of this book (and the other volumes)? Wouldn't it be nice for kids to be able to get their history lessons via Cartoon Network?

But then I reached the part about what early Greek women did with their goats and sheep and how the Spartans treated young boys and I thought "well, maybe it's better if it stays in book form".

My only gripe is the lack of an index. Certainly handy when important names and places are regularly mentioned (like any other history book) .
June 09, 2007

This book is amazingly good. It is funny and educational and incredibly well drawn. You should BUY it.
February 28, 2007

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Cartoon History of the Universe 2: Volumes 8-13
by Larry Gonick

The Cartoon History of the Universe III: From the Rise of Arabia to the Renaissance
by Larry Gonick

The Cartoon History of the Modern World Part 1: From Columbus to the U.S. Constitution (Cartoon History of the Modern World)
by Larry Gonick

The Cartoon Guide to Physics
by Larry Gonick

Cartoon History of the United States
by Larry Gonick