And the Pursuit of Happiness

Jul 12, 2011 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People

Recommended to Jess by: Her blog

Shelves: z_11, non-fiction, love-love-love-it

I liked this bunches. Kalman made me want to go places and think about things. What more can you ask from a book?

(This is the book form of what began as a blog project. It's still online if you'd like to try that first: http://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/ )

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Aug 05, 2012 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: age-adult-books, creative-inspiration, design, favoriteillustrations, gift-books, graphic-novels, visualstorytelling

Maira Kalman's year of musings on the USA (originally appearing in her online column of the same name in the NYT) makes for another delightful book, tracking her thoughts on our country and its democracy from the jumping-off point of Obama's inauguration.

I didn't like this *quite* as much as The Principles of Uncertainty, but I'm still giving it 5 stars for many of the same reasons: the thick heavy paper, the curly handwriting, photos, sketchbook pages, embroidery, collections, and portraits --...more Maira Kalman's year of musings on the USA (originally appearing in her online column of the same name in the NYT) makes for another delightful book, tracking her thoughts on our country and its democracy from the jumping-off point of Obama's inauguration.

I didn't like this *quite* as much as The Principles of Uncertainty, but I'm still giving it 5 stars for many of the same reasons: the thick heavy paper, the curly handwriting, photos, sketchbook pages, embroidery, collections, and portraits -- oh, those portraits! The one of Frida Kahlo on p. 84 is my absolute favorite -- such a pensive portrait of someone who always painted herself so confidently.

"My black umbrella rests against the yellow wall of the hotel room. Well, I think, no need to ever leave this room. And yet." -p. 118

"And then I meet Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is petite and elegant. I think, move over Jane Austen as my imaginary best friend forever." -p. 126

"And once in a while there is even humor. The M.R.E.'s -- Meals Ready to Eat -- come with a Hooah! Power Bar. Hooah is an exclamation used for everything. For Yes and No and You Can't Be Serious and It Will Be Done and I Don't Know and Give Me A Break." -p. 153

"'Think Small' is my new motto. It helps me handle the complicated too-muchness of it all." -p. 281

"The floors are polished to the point of ecstasy." -p. 334

"They work incredibly hard. They have to raise money (big problems here) and make many promises, many of which they cannot keep. They have to court votes. How can people do all of that and maintain integrity? They must have stamina. They must be optimistic! They need to understand mountains of information. For this they rely on their staff." -p. 351

"Now I am getting flashbacks to the '60s. But it is different. It is not dropping out (though that sounds tempting now and then). It is bringing elemental things to the present time with commerce and optimism. Can that work? Can giant agribusiness shrink, while true organic farms grow?" -p. 395

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Aug 02, 2012 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels

This book is a graphic novel, illustrated poem, love letter to democracy, etc. Call it what you will, I just loved it. It’s a sweet look at our government and the world around us. It’s simple and joyful. The goal is not to give you a history lesson, but it manages to share some wonderful bits about our fore father in a playful way. The hefty book is over 400 pages, but it’s mainly illustrations and so it’s a quick afternoon read.

Kalman seems to find joy in the simplest things, like the funny qu...more

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May 09, 2012 Kasey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: illustrated, nonfiction

So hard to choose shelves for this book, or, really, for any of Maira Kalman's work. Her books are so purely HER, and like nothing else I've ever read--surprising and vivid and full of joy and sadness, both at once. Her words and pictures move effortlessly between ideas and worlds--one thought follows another in a way that's both unexpected and absolutely right. I love how surprised I am, over and over, by the way Maira Kalman's mind works, how surprised I am to be entertained and deeply moved a...more

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Aug 06, 2011 Lars Guthrie rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this fractious time and place, when the future can seem futile, where the landscape can appear forlorn, you could do worse than spend an hour or two pursuing happiness with Maira Kalman. For Kalman, the majestic and the modest carry equal weight. Small wonders are as carefully observed and noted as grand ones. A masterpiece by Velasquez is no less important than the ‘woman in the red dress with a snappy hairdo’ examining it. Kalman’s loopy lines, just north of childlike, splashed with bold co...more

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May 31, 2011 Marcie rated it 2 of 5 stars

This is a beautiful book, 471 pages of the author’s private thoughts, observations, and favorite trivia about our country, each page bursting with her bright child-like paintings, sketches, and photographs. She travels to Monticello, the Pentagon, Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, etc. The font is really nice.

But, it’s an odd book. Who is it for? On the inside back cover, I read that the author writes and illustrates children’s books. Ahhh. At first I thought a child wrote it, or an adult wit...more This is a beautiful book, 471 pages of the author’s private thoughts, observations, and favorite trivia about our country, each page bursting with her bright child-like paintings, sketches, and photographs. She travels to Monticello, the Pentagon, Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, etc. The font is really nice.

But, it’s an odd book. Who is it for? On the inside back cover, I read that the author writes and illustrates children’s books. Ahhh. At first I thought a child wrote it, or an adult with a child-like mind. Then it clicked into place. It feels dreamy, with an air of innocence.

It certainly offers many very sweet nuggets, such as the trivia that Thomas Jefferson changed the words Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Property to the Pursuit of Happiness. She also poses the question of why does the president swear his oath of office on the Bible, why not the Constitution.

I also enjoyed the many connections drawn between yesterday and today (the aristocratic Salisbury political refugee family with Salisbury steak), macro and micro viewpoints (the types of trees near famous sites, a page from Jefferson’s slave roles), and abstract and concrete concepts (war and soldier No. 53).

My favorite piece on Alexis de Tocqueville:

“He spent a year traveling and interviewing people, then wrote a book, aptly titled ‘De La Democratie en Amerique.’ His writing was filled with astute reflections: ‘If one asked me to what do I think one must principally attribute the singular prosperity and growing force of this people, I would answer that it is to the Superiority of its Women.’

However, its repeated leaning to the left annoyed me after awhile. She’s obviously anti-war (who isn’t?, but some of us understand the price paid for the cherry blossom trees) and pro-government subsidy for organic farmers. She talks about “a Democracy of Healthy Eating.” I happen to eat organic. But I don’t need to pay for everyone’s food. Grow your own garden, for Pete’s sake. Regarding immigration, she talks about specific immigrants she encountered at a swearing-in ceremony. She says she has to focus on details because often the big picture is too overwhelming to understand. I can appreciate that sentiment, but do not always agree with the details on which she chooses to focus. I’ve used the same heart-tugging tactic myself, but to buoy my conservative case. This book is a celebration of a utopian America, never mentioning crime, drugs, obesity, taxation…

So, this delightful little, child-like book has quite the insidious hidden liberal agenda. I don’t think it’s intentionally sinister, though, because liberals are child-like in their desire for the government to take care of everyone, and no one ever has to do anything they don’t want to. We can eat candy every day!
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Apr 17, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

At first, I didn't know what to think about the book, because I wasn't sure what it was. I, like many a human, really like to categorize, and this book seemed to defy categorization for me. I've seen Kalman's illustrations in my copy of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style, which is also a beautiful book. The illustrations are whimsical and colorful, but the spirit of the book is what really captured me as a reader.

I don't often say things like this, but I was really delighted by this book...more At first, I didn't know what to think about the book, because I wasn't sure what it was. I, like many a human, really like to categorize, and this book seemed to defy categorization for me. I've seen Kalman's illustrations in my copy of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style, which is also a beautiful book. The illustrations are whimsical and colorful, but the spirit of the book is what really captured me as a reader.

I don't often say things like this, but I was really delighted by this book. Every page I wanted to savor, but I still devoured this book in a single morning. Kalman's meditations on American history and politics and material culture are perceptive, and funny, and hopeful.

Here are some quotes from passages that I marked:

"I looked deep into his eyes and found that I was falling in love. In love with A. Lincoln."

"And in front of the Supreme Court facade that states, 'Equal Justice Under Law,' stands a woman in a shocking pink coat. Inside it is all polished wood and marble an red velvet drapes and decorum and history and everything you would want in a Supreme Court. In the court the lawyers are arguing cases that I kind of understand. But not really. Not really is putting it mildly but that is not the point. It is all ab out language, the language of dissent and the search for meaning. There are faults, biases, political leanings, differences of philosophy. Unavoidable. They are human beings."

"Don't we need both the warriors and the artists on this planet?"

"If you want to understand this country and its people and what it means to be optimistic and complex and tragic and wrong and courageous, you need to go to [Jefferson's] home in Virginia. Monticello."

"Everything is invented. Language. Childhood. Careers. Relationships. Religion. Philosophy. The future. They are not there for the plucking. They don't exist in some natural state. They must be invented by people. And that, of course, is a great thing. Don't mope in your room. Go invent something. That is the American message. Electricity. Flight. The telephone. Television. Computers. Walking on the moon. It never stops."

"We hope. We despair. We hope. We despair. That is what governs us. We have a bipolar system.

Anyway, the bottom line is that I liked the book a lot. It is a celebration.(less)

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Feb 21, 2011 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Maria Kalman is an illustrator, an artist with a whimsical eye for the stuff of everyday life. "And The Pursuit of Happiness" is basically a book of her richly colored, Matisse-ish art with a sprinkling of commentary about American life and governmental functions. That sounds a bit dull, and I feel ashamed of myself for not being able to put it better, because nothing about Kalman - her personality,her art, or her writing - is in any way dull. On the contrary, she brings a delightfully fresh per...more

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Feb 17, 2011 Terry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-art, memoir, non-fiction

I was delighted by this book! It reminded me in SO many ways of lovely letters I get from one particularly creative friend : ) and in general Kalman's tone and wit and observations remind me of my dearest, closest friends, so reading the book was sort of like sitting down with a cup of creamy tea and basking in the sunshine of my friends. Thus I had a very personal reaction to it.

On a more objective level, one might wonder "Ummm... what is this book ABOUT, exactly?" Kalman ranges from Alice Wate...more

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Oct 18, 2010 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Actually 4.5 Stars.

From my book review blog Rundpinne:

What at first appears to be a very thick and exquisitely illustrated book for children is in fact a brilliantly well-written book for adults about Democracy and the founding fathers of the United States of America. And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman is an exquisite addition to any library, as she takes the reader through the history of the founding of democracy, details from quite serious to quirky about our founding fathers along w...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Petergiaquinta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels, nonfiction

This is a beautiful little book, although it's not little at all with its 471 pages and its heavy stock paper, but there is something oddly beautiful to Maira Kalman's twelve whimsically illustrated meditations on American democracy, one for each month, and each dedicated to a figure from American history. Picture maybe what you would get if Lynda Barry collaborated with Walt Whitman ("The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem"?) and Margaret Wise Brown and Jeff Mangum helpe...more This is a beautiful little book, although it's not little at all with its 471 pages and its heavy stock paper, but there is something oddly beautiful to Maira Kalman's twelve whimsically illustrated meditations on American democracy, one for each month, and each dedicated to a figure from American history. Picture maybe what you would get if Lynda Barry collaborated with Walt Whitman ("The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem"?) and Margaret Wise Brown and Jeff Mangum helped out, and maybe even Allen Ginsberg put his queer shoulder to the wheel, and you might get a little something like Kalman's book, which apparently grew out of her 2009 illustrated blog for the New York Times.

Kalman, who immigrated to the U.S. as a girl, seems to have been spurred to write this series of love letters to America by Obama's election and so January begins with the Obama inauguration in Washington and from there the book wends its way through history and geography and the twelve months of the year, seeming to encompass just about almost everything from Henry Hudson's ruffles and Washington's false teeth to Monticello's slave quarters and the Newton Creek Sewage Plant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (which I have to admit is the sharpest looking sewage treatment plant I've ever seen). Kalman, too, has gone on an American odyssey of her own through 2009, as most of her musings take her across the country from the New Jersey Turnpike to the Pentagon to Springfield, IL, to the West Coast and back to her home in New York. The straightforward simplicity of the text married with the quirky but engaging paintings and drawings with a few photos dropped in make this a fast and pleasant read but compel you to linger in places. You'll love Kalman's artwork (maybe I should have added the Reverend Howard Finster to my earlier list of potential collaborators!), and I think my favorite is either her echidna that she wants to tell you everything about or the surprise cameo appearance of Vladimir Nabokov near the end of the book, wearing brown shorts with white socks pulled up to his knees and holding his butterfly net.

This is a great read and deserves five stars but for the November piece ("Back to the Land"), which breaks the feel of the rest of the book both in its style and content. The illustrations have been entirely replaced by photographs and the tone becomes almost strident; the whimsy has been lost for the month of November, and that's too bad. Plus, its focus on the crappy food Americans eat (for Thanksgiving I assume) really doesn't fit the flow of what she has been doing elsewhere throughout the book, despite her attempt to connect the topic to the "bounty of the land" and Jefferson and Washington's vision of America as an agrarian society. A better editor would have tossed this chapter...Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable, oddly affecting book that I am glad has crossed my path today.

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May 21, 2011 Corrie M. rated it 5 of 5 stars

"Hallelujah for knowledge and for the honor of language and ideas. And books. For Jefferson's glorious library full of Cicero and Spinoza and Aeschylus and Thomas More and books on bees and trees and harpsichords all intact in the Library of Congress."

Hallelujah for Maira Kalman, and her amazing illustrated book about America and Democracy and Happiness. These illustrated essays (they are most assuredly not cartoons) first appeared as a monthly column on the New York Times website.

Maira Kalman...more

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Sep 22, 2011 Jim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: art, documentary, sliceoflife

And the Pursuit of Happiness reads like a children's book written for adults. That probably sounds far less complmentary than I mean it. When an author (heck, you can take this to other media as well) takes a style intended for one audience and successfully transfers it over to another, that is a monumental (too buried to be a pun) task.

Kalman writes like you're having a conversation with her and given some of the subjects present, you're probably talking over lunch at a place you never knew ex...more

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Jun 06, 2011 Relyn rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone!

I don't even know what to write for the date I started this book. It caught my eye on a shelf in Barnes and Noble months ago. I sat right down with it and gobbled up the first chapter, ready for more, but I had to go. Since then, I've been back to Barnes 3 or 4 times. This always one of the books I grab. I love it. LOVE IT! Each time I start from the beginning again reading it because it it SO delightful! I love Maira Kalman. I want to meet her. I want to invite her over for dinner and chat abou...more

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Feb 17, 2011 Jimmy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: female, non-fiction, graphic-based, poetic-essay, year-2010s

Expectations! They are a bitch.

About a week ago, I read Maira Kalman's other book The Principles of Uncertainty and loved it. It is full of charming joyful paintings, paintings of all manner of things/couches/hairstyles/hats, lists and photos of people's backs, etc. All strung together in the loosest wandering free-form way possible, which is part of the charm. Afterwards, I read online about her newest book 'And the Pursuit of Happiness':

Inspired by the 2008 elections, artist Maira Kalman set o

...more Expectations! They are a bitch.

About a week ago, I read Maira Kalman's other book The Principles of Uncertainty and loved it. It is full of charming joyful paintings, paintings of all manner of things/couches/hairstyles/hats, lists and photos of people's backs, etc. All strung together in the loosest wandering free-form way possible, which is part of the charm. Afterwards, I read online about her newest book 'And the Pursuit of Happiness':

Inspired by the 2008 elections, artist Maira Kalman set out across these great states with pen and paper in hand to explore facets of American democracy that many Americans only contemplate on the Fourth of July.

So what I expected was this: Maira stops in rest areas and gas stations, painting weird southern ephemera, philosophizes about the South and our history of slavery, suddenly she spots a duck-shaped hat and goes berserk and paints 20 pages straight of this same hat from different angles! Then she gets sidetracked and starts talking about the variety of trees beside the highway, then she follows an old abandoned train track to see where it goes, meets some hillbillies and talks with them about 'America', shoots a few deer, paints them, hitchhikes with a single mom in her yellow Honda civic hatchback to California while painting exquisite reproductions of her right ear as seen from the passenger seat, then paints some lean-tos in Nevada, paints the interior of several houses where she stayed on the floor on her epic roadtrip across the country, people-watches in a mall, paints a well manicured poodle, paints someone's sequined shoes, wonders to herself "Could the meaning of America be sequined shoes?" and there you have it THE END!

Instead, I got: Maira, filled with optimism after Barack Obama's inauguration, decides to write a book about the beginnings of this country. She doesn't do much travelling (though she does some) or meeting of regular people. Instead, she dives into history books and history museums... OK, already not as exciting a concept to me as what I had imagined... but let's give it a shot anyway.

Most of this information is common knowledge about our forefathers. History that seems to brush the surface, history that seems like myth (i.e. what they want you to believe happened). The book is filled with paintings, but most of them are paintings of oil paintings of dead white men. These paintings lack the kind of verve and observation of the paintings in her other book... Because in her paintings of regular people, you can tell by the way she paints them how she feels exactly about this person's nose, or how much she loves this woman's hair, or how the squirrelly quality of that man on the street comes out in full color. Here, we have reproductions that seem stale by comparison. I find posed oil portraits so boring, and though she tried her best, she was basically just reproducing them in this book, without adding much of her own character or interpretation into the mix (there are exceptions, of course).

Later, when she shows real people (like the kids involved in the organic farms) she opts to show photographs of them instead of paintings. Why she decided to paint oil reproductions of Thomas Jefferson while photographing the kids is a mystery to me. It seems like the opposite choice would've produced much better results, with more room for interpretation. We've all seen Thomas Jefferson a million times, in that same pose!

Then, instead of traveling to the little known spots to discover the spirit of what America is now, she goes straight to Washington D.C. What follows are portraits of government workers and congresspeople, sitting in their offices, in their business suits. All pretty boring to me. What's more, it's not like she gets below the surface of who these people are. Example: on one page we see a painting of a woman against a yellow background and the words say "I meet Haeda Mihaltses, the director of the office of intergovernmental affairs." Then the very next page, she tells you of some other people she met. OK... so what's the point of introducing the reader to Haeda Mihaltses for a page if it's not going to be followed up by anything? Who cares? She's some director or other, I didn't need to know that!

I know I've been focusing on the negatives so far, but that is because I was so disappointed. I wanted so much more from this. I don't want to mislead you though: there is a lot of good stuff in here as well. It's just spaced further apart. There is still a number of humorous, witty, quirky things sprinkled throughout. But if you've never read Maira Kalman before, DEFINITELY read The Principles of Uncertainty first, instead of this book!

Also: I found the first half of the book to be much better, visually; it felt like she stopped trying in the last half. Her brushstrokes were less subtle and the detail seemed to go away.
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Nov 25, 2010 Chad rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography-memoirs-essays, graphic-novels

Maira Kalman’s “The Principals of Uncertainty” was a quaint little surprise when I first read it a few years back. It’s blend of whimsical artistry and poetic text was such a treat that I eagerly picked up her newest work, “And the Pursuit of Happiness” when it hit shelves. Happily, it contains the same defiantly eccentric art that blends childlike doodles with lush and vibrant painting, and wraps the whole thing up in simplistic, almost naïve text that is almost absurdly optimistic, but so chil...more Maira Kalman’s “The Principals of Uncertainty” was a quaint little surprise when I first read it a few years back. It’s blend of whimsical artistry and poetic text was such a treat that I eagerly picked up her newest work, “And the Pursuit of Happiness” when it hit shelves. Happily, it contains the same defiantly eccentric art that blends childlike doodles with lush and vibrant painting, and wraps the whole thing up in simplistic, almost naïve text that is almost absurdly optimistic, but so childlike as to be actually inspiring.

But in spite of all its similarities to “The Principals of Uncertainty”, “And the Pursuit of Happiness” is really a superior work, thanks to its central theme, which is a celebration of patriotism. And this celebration isn’t merely an “America is Awesome” love fest, but more an exploration of our country’s history and a prideful boasting of all the mundane little things. Whether she’s recounting a visit to Mt. Vernon, an interview with Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a tour of a sewage treatment plant or school garden, or multiple depictions of cafeteria meals at government facilities, Kalman seems obsessive as she innocently wanders around and points out things no one else was noticing, and with each drawing or ribbon of text, seems to say, “Isn’t that neat?”

I read “And the Pursuit of Happiness” at the same time as I was reading Matt Taibbi’s excellent (and direly cynical) “Griftopia” which is a depressing and otherworldly look at how American investment banks and government officials bungled their ways into the financial crisis. Taibbi’s book makes some very strong cases for how really rich people very purposefully screwed over everybody else so they could get more rich. It was all rather gloomy.

Reading Maira Kalman reminds you that America certainly has its issues, but it is also a wonderful and amazing place full of beauty and hope. I don’t think Taibbi is wrong in many of his dour conclusions about our capitalist society, but Kalman demonstrates that there is a far bigger, more gratifying picture to look at.

Thank you, Ms. Kalman for beauty and hope and optimism in a world that tries very hard not to deserve it.(less)

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May 11, 2013 Claire McNeill rated it 5 of 5 stars

In vivid, lively paintings and lyrical handwriting, Kalman renders the goodness of life, the grace in a slice of military base cherry pie and the shock of yellow leaves dampened by autumn rain. She brings the expanse of American history to earth, humanizing our Founding Fathers with great respect — and a bit of irreverence. It's a love letter to the exuberance and inventiveness and enterprising spirit of America's people, to optimists and philosophers and sewage plant workers and Supreme Court j...more

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Sep 09, 2012 Emilia P rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comic-books

Maira Kalman, a master of strange and joyous story/ramble pacing. This book is sort of about the founding fathers, sort of about visiting parts of our government and historical sites, meeting folks like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and seeing Jefferson's house and eating at the Capitol and talking about Ben Franklin's french hats and eating at Alice Water's restaurant and full page pictures of greasy fast-food sandwiches. I don't know -- I don't really know what this book was about but I know I liked it....more

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Dec 01, 2010 Alec Scott rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a special and talented artist writer coming to terms with American values, finding interesting little tidbits about the founding fathers, visiting with Ruth Bader Ginzburg at the Supreme Court, going to Washington for the Obama inauguration. A distillation of the hopefulness (for a certain type of American) of his coming into the presidency. It already felt dated in that regard, with the too quick resurgence of hopelessness. Her drawings, which I saw in an exhibition in San Francisco, ar...more

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Oct 22, 2011 Kathleen Hulser rated it 4 of 5 stars

Highly personal travelogue with commentary on the founders, idiosyncratic views of Washington's high points and spicy vignettes from descents on major historical sites. Kalman congratulates Jefferson for revising the Declaration of Independence to read "pursuit of happiness" not "pursuit of property," and her romp through American history shows she has seen the heart of the matter. Illustrations include such gems as a Ben Franklin in fur hat that seems to be a self portrait, and commentary on th...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Kkakaliouras rated it 5 of 5 stars

It was a great day to read this artful book. Today is MLK day and it is the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. Perfect. I often wonder what it means to me to be patriotic. Maira Kalman captured it for me today with this book. She reminds us of the beauty of America and the lofty ideals that our country was built on and she also expresses some of the tragic flaws in our country, our leaders and our history. I connected with her sense of wistfulness. I love these two passages: " to und...more

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Jan 06, 2012 Erica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-books-for-grownups, politics

I stumbled upon this at a going out of business sale, and what a treasure it turned out to be! It is filled with paintings and photographa -- it's like thumbing through a very creative if not altogether personal journal. The book begins with Obama's inauguration and continues, touching upon items of historical and political significance. I loved the section on food -- while she seems to celebrate the organic food movement and the idea of eating locally (neither of which I have qualms about per s...more

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May 06, 2011 Shannon marked it as to-read

WHY: Inspired by the 2008 elections, artist Maira Kalman set out across these great states with pen and paper in hand to explore facets of American democracy that many Americans only contemplate on the Fourth of July. From eavesdropping on town hall meetings to visiting veterans' families, Maira probed the inner workings of how we come together. Along the way, she searched the past, pondering the lives of Lincoln and the Founding Fathers. If this project sounds pious; it isn't; Kalman's synopsis...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Katie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Maira Kalman, like so many others felt energized by the inauguration of Barak Obama and decided to write and illustrate her own investigations into democracy. She travels all over the country, attending a town meeting, visiting the pentagon, watching Supreme Court proceedings and contemplating what makes this country as it is.

Written in a stream of consciousness style, she falls in love with Abraham Lincoln, talks about her family's love of the Marquis de Lafeyette, and muses on the early Ameri...more

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Jan 11, 2011 Anne Tommaso rated it 5 of 5 stars

The beautiful quirkiness of the words and images in this book quiet the skeptic in me. When books make us to think, they're good. When they inspire optimism and creativity like this one, they're the best! Maira Kalman reminds me that the principles on which our nation was founded are so cool, and that our nation is both wonderfully and terribly complex, but that each of us as individuals can live meaningfully by doing what we love to do and observing what is all around us. I'll be reading and ta...more

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Oct 17, 2010 Caitlin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

Sort of a graphic novel, sort of a prose poem, mostly a love letter to democracy, And the Pursuit of Happiness is Maira Kalman's story of her journey from coast to coast to discover what democracy means.

This is a gorgeous book - as weighty in feel and heft as its contents are light and spontaneous. Kalman combines handwritten typography, her own illustrations, and photographs into an intimate picture of her thoughts and meditations on subjects as diverse as fast food, mushrooms, Alexis de Tocque...more

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Oct 02, 2012 Valley Cottage Library rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: katie-pick

Maira Kalman, like so many others felt energized by the inauguration of Barak Obama and decided to write and illustrate her own investigations into democracy. She travels all over the country, attending a town meeting, visiting the pentagon, watching Supreme Court proceedings and contemplating what makes this country as it is.

Written in a stream of consciousness style, she falls in love with Abraham Lincoln, talks about her family's love of the Marquis de Lafeyette, and muses on the early Americ...more

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Jul 22, 2011 Dawn rated it 5 of 5 stars

I think I’ve fallen in love with Abraham Lincoln, too! What a fun, awesome book! And even if you don't think it's fun, it's a super quick read with hundreds of colorful pictures.

I’ve often wondered how America could be such a great idea, but such a dysfunctional reality. Maira Kalman’s whimsical year-long essay on democracy makes me think that we’re not that bad in reality, nor that unattainable in our ideals. It also makes me think I’d like a nice piece of cherry pie (which George Washington pr...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Nikki rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, non-fiction, graphic

This book should be read by anyone who thinks liberals, Democrats etc. don't love America. Maira Kalman's wonderful drawings, paintings and the occasional photograph, as well as her ruminations on Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, soldiers at Fort Campbell, civil servants in New York, the Supreme Court, a Vermont town meeting -- and many other topics -- show a deep love for this country. I believe the book was originally a blog at the New York Times; I had seen some of the work before, but it is w...more

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Dec 12, 2010 Erika rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

The lovely Ms. Kalman does it again, this time commissioned by the NY Times to expound on (& illustrate!) democracy in its various forms. As an avid reader of the 'And the Pursuit of Happiness' blog, I was pleased to find some new additions for the book - rough sketches and such. While some may find them unrefined, I appreciated the insight they provide into her process. Remove the book jacket for a lovely surprise. Such a special, special book.. childlike, yet grappling.. full of whimsy, ho...more

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8450221-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347767759l/8450221.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8450221-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman[/url]

And the Pursuit of Happiness

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