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38th out of 63 books
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22 voters
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Birth of a Nation: A Comic Novel
This scathingly hilarious political satire—produced from a collaboration of three of our funniest humorists—answers the burning question: Would anyone care if East St. Louis seceded from the Union?
East St. Louis, Illinois ("the inner city without an outer city"), is an impoverished town, so poor that Fred Fredericks, its idealistic mayor, starts off Election Day ...more
East St. Louis, Illinois ("the inner city without an outer city"), is an impoverished town, so poor that Fred Fredericks, its idealistic mayor, starts off Election Day ...more
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
February 22nd 2005
by Three Rivers Press
(first published 2004)
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Aili
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Recommends it for:
folks interested in American politics, race politics, urban politics, or the election
What happens when the voters of East St. Louis are disenfranchised and Bush steals the presidency? East St. Louis secedes from the U.S., of course. Wacky hijinks ensue.
This is solid political satire from talented guys ( Aaron McGruder, creator of the comic strip The Boondocks, and Reginald Hudlin, director of House Party). Kyle Baker's art is ideal for the work -- he's got an animator's heart, so he gives the characters real movement and facial expressions. The only reason this did...more
This is solid political satire from talented guys ( Aaron McGruder, creator of the comic strip The Boondocks, and Reginald Hudlin, director of House Party). Kyle Baker's art is ideal for the work -- he's got an animator's heart, so he gives the characters real movement and facial expressions. The only reason this did...more
If this were a movie (as Hudlin and McGruder originally intended), it'd be the most entertaining Hollywood movie I've seen since 1977; and maybe now someone will make a movie in which East St Louis secedes from the Union and renames itself Blackland and prints up currency featuring the likenesses of MLK, Malcolm X, James Brown, and Will Smith (!?) -- I didn't expect to elect a black president in '08, either. It's about time somebody made a "comic novel" -- they call it that on the cov...more
with this, reached the 50 book point for the year. getting rid of cable was such a good idea..... i am so glad i did it.
Aaron McGruder and Reginald Hudlin, Birth of a Nation: A Comic Novel (Crown, 2004)
Despite having Kyle Baker artwork, which is always a “wow” factor in a graphic novel, I took one look at the synopsis for this book and had the sneaking suspicion I was going to hate it. Oh, boy, political satire in comic book form. Is it going to work any better than it does in the movies, in music, in poetry, etc.?
Can I get a hell, yeah!?
While McGruder (The Boondocks) and Hudli...more
Despite having Kyle Baker artwork, which is always a “wow” factor in a graphic novel, I took one look at the synopsis for this book and had the sneaking suspicion I was going to hate it. Oh, boy, political satire in comic book form. Is it going to work any better than it does in the movies, in music, in poetry, etc.?
Can I get a hell, yeah!?
While McGruder (The Boondocks) and Hudli...more
This book was co-written by Aaron McGruder, of The Boondocks fame. It takes place in a parallel reality, if you will, in the aftermath of an American election much like the one in 2000. Some names have been changed, but there are a lot of recognizable players (e.g., President Caldwell is clearly meant to be President Bush). The story centers on a majority-black city in Missouri where many residents are "mistakenly" kept from voting in the election. Unsatisfied by the response of g...more
Picked this up as it came across my desk at the Library; love the Boondocks and have fond memories of Bebe Kids, so I figured what the hell.
The narrative is classic, East St. Louis secedes from the Union, and makes it work, so that was kinda nice.
I laughed out loud a few times, and nodded my head a bunch, so it was worth the couple hours it took me to get through it.
High school kids would definitely enjoy this...
The narrative is classic, East St. Louis secedes from the Union, and makes it work, so that was kinda nice.
I laughed out loud a few times, and nodded my head a bunch, so it was worth the couple hours it took me to get through it.
High school kids would definitely enjoy this...
I decided to reread this book since I hadn't in more than five years. Still hilarious, although I find it a bit sad that this is a conversation we all forgot about after 9/11 and Bush's subsequent 2004 reelection.
If I ever start a country, our national anthem might borrow a theme or two from a television show at that.
If I ever start a country, our national anthem might borrow a theme or two from a television show at that.
I found out about this book when reading All the Rage by Aaron McGruder.
It is more like an illustrated story than a graphic novel, full color, no word or thought bubbles over characters' heads.
It's the thinly disguised story of George W. Bush being handed the presidency despite the fact that so many people (mostly people of color) were not allowed to vote. In this version of the story, the mostly African American city of East St. Louis, Illinois secedes from the union and ...more
It is more like an illustrated story than a graphic novel, full color, no word or thought bubbles over characters' heads.
It's the thinly disguised story of George W. Bush being handed the presidency despite the fact that so many people (mostly people of color) were not allowed to vote. In this version of the story, the mostly African American city of East St. Louis, Illinois secedes from the union and ...more
It's a screenplay that could never, ever, ever get made into a movie - yeah, Hollywood's not going to leap right on a movie about East St. Louis seceding from the U.S. - so they made a comic out of it. Not the most feminist comic in the world, but hilarious and awesome anyway.
OMG!!! Loved this book, he needs a sequel. I learned the truth about what happened in the 2001 elections from this satire!! But the state that seceded was the best part!!!
The Boondocks guy gives us one of the best pieces of satire I've read in years. I just love the whole idea. One of the most ballsy graphic novels I've ever read.
Dawn
added it
It wasn't as comedic or inspiring as the boondocks and the ending could've been much more vindicating but it had it's moments.
Interesting satire but the gapping holes in the plot line were a major distraction.
Funny, but not as good as The Boondocks.
Funny. Enjoyable. A definite message within.
An excellent political satire. Someone please option the movie rights. Thanks.
This is a great book, but it is not suitable for middle school students due to language.
In addition to the stellar art work, the complex story line mashes political themes, African American culture, disenfranchisement, economics, and more.
Here are some links:
http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/sna...
http://www.amazon.com/Birth-Nation-Comic...
In addition to the stellar art work, the complex story line mashes political themes, African American culture, disenfranchisement, economics, and more.
Here are some links:
http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/sna...
http://www.amazon.com/Birth-Nation-Comic...
This is an adaptation of an unproduced film script. It feels rushed and cheap. Occasionally stage direction from the script is simply left in as a caption. I deducted one star for that.
Dr. Strangelove this is not but it is amusing. Incredibly dated for a piece that is only 4 years old. I wish Kyle Baker had a hand in the writing as he operates with greater depth in his own work.
Dr. Strangelove this is not but it is amusing. Incredibly dated for a piece that is only 4 years old. I wish Kyle Baker had a hand in the writing as he operates with greater depth in his own work.
birth of a nation at first caught my eye because of the white supremacist movie of the same title featuring the KKK in the origination myth of the klan. very funny. I got a little bored of the layout – sometimes the lack of speech-bubbles got tedious. I have to repeat though, very funny! very clever! amazing piece of satire.
what a comic book should be - i re read this a little bit more than Alan Moore's Watchmen
it's rare to read a comic-book work of fiction which deals with serious issues, gets all of the geopolitics right, and is FUNNY AS HELL.
this is theonly such book i've ever read.
this is theonly such book i've ever read.
kyle baker is pretty funny. why i hate saturn & you are here are great but this takes the cake. south saint louis seceded after the 2000 election & that's just the 1st few pages...
I'm from St. Louis and it makes me look at the eastside in a whole new light (not that I knew much about it in the first place).
East St. Louis secedes and renames itself "Blackland." Not as good as "The Boondocks."
Great idea, but kind of a weak execution. And why didn't Aaron McGruder do the drawings?
just goes to show the world will be saved by the tech geeks and environmental freaks.
so, so funny. and apt. exactly the satire i needed while missing colbert.
For what it is, its hilarious. I love Aaron MacGruder.
What a whack book, foo.
J
marked it as to-read
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Aaron McGruder is an American cartoonist best known for writing and drawing The Boondocks, a Universal Press Syndicate comic strip about two young African American brothers from inner-city Chicago now living with their grandfather in a sedate suburb. Through the leftist Huey (named after Huey P. Newton) and his younger brother Riley, a young want-to-be gangsta, the strip explores issues involving ...more
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