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At Wit's End: Cartoonists of The New Yorker
An exclusive sneak peek inside the creative minds of more than 50 New Yorker cartoonists, celebrating legends and newcomers alike with stunning photography and engaging profiles.
For a century, The New Yorker has provided readers with hundreds of thousands of cartoons that humorously (and accurately) encapsulate the cultural happenings in our world. From politics to pop culture, New Yorker cartoonists have found a way to make complex topics digestible through lines, shades, and clever, witty captions.
In honor of the magazine’s 100th birthday, this celebratory collection captures the brilliantly quirky personalities behind some of The New Yorker’s most iconic cartoons. Filled with striking portraits by world-renowned photographer Alen MacWeeney, captivating profiles by long-time New Yorker contributor Michael Maslin, and a sampling of each artist’s work, these pages offer an exclusive peek inside the creative brains of over fifty prominent cartoonists, both seasoned and newly minted. From legends like Roz Chast and Jack Ziegler to contemporaries like Liana Finck and Jeremy Nguyen, this landmark volume is a beautiful homage to the artists who have long brought joy, humor, and satire to our lives.
For a century, The New Yorker has provided readers with hundreds of thousands of cartoons that humorously (and accurately) encapsulate the cultural happenings in our world. From politics to pop culture, New Yorker cartoonists have found a way to make complex topics digestible through lines, shades, and clever, witty captions.
In honor of the magazine’s 100th birthday, this celebratory collection captures the brilliantly quirky personalities behind some of The New Yorker’s most iconic cartoons. Filled with striking portraits by world-renowned photographer Alen MacWeeney, captivating profiles by long-time New Yorker contributor Michael Maslin, and a sampling of each artist’s work, these pages offer an exclusive peek inside the creative brains of over fifty prominent cartoonists, both seasoned and newly minted. From legends like Roz Chast and Jack Ziegler to contemporaries like Liana Finck and Jeremy Nguyen, this landmark volume is a beautiful homage to the artists who have long brought joy, humor, and satire to our lives.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published November 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 8, 2024
My thanks to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for an advance copy of this book that turns the camera eye to the the people who make us laugh, or leave us wondering what this series of doodles is supposed to be doing, along with ideas about creativity and loving what one does.
Two things that have always interested me are creativity and cartooning. I love to read how creators get there ideas, be it buying them wholesale from a store in Schenectady, as Harlan Ellison used to quip, a chance conversation, or just sitting at a table and sketching one's way to brilliance. As a person who can't draw a straight line with a ruler, I have always loved cartoons, especially single panel works. The idea that the story, the setup the punchline and a picture take place in one drawing is always astonishing to me. This love took awhile. I grew up with the funnies, Dick Tracy, Dondi, Broom Hilda, and loved the stories, the places the panels would take you. My father was subscriber to The New Yorker and started sharing the cartoons with me. I must admit I was a bit like a Seinfeld character in the beginning, not getting the one panel sketch, nor the jokes. Soon though I came to appreciate it, the work involved, and would pick up cues that told me who various illustrators were, and what I could expect. This is why I loved this book so much. At Wit's End: Cartoonists of The New Yorker features photographs by famed photographer Alen MacWeeney with words and commentary by cartoonist and historian Michael Maslin featuring over 50 cartoonists from The New Yorker, from the past, the present and future up-and-comers.
There have been about 700 cartoonists who have had work appear in the one hundred years that The New Yorker has been published. Many have been lost to time or produced works in anonymity. The cartoons were started as a way to fill in spaces in the magazine, as their was not much money in the beginning and articles could only be stretched so far. The book features 50 cartoonists, with photos taken by MacWeeney. Accompanying this photos are essays either featuring commentary on the art, interviews with the artist, or a bit of both. These are written by Michael Maslin, a cartoonist whose work has appeared in the magazine, and who also has a website about the history of The New Yorker's cartoons. These photos show the cartoonists at rest, at play, and sometimes at work. Along with the essays are panels of some of their works, so one gets an idea of the creative sparks these people have within them.
I enjoyed this quite a bit. I loved putting names and faces to cartoons that I have enjoyed over the years. The writing I thought was quite good, knowledgeable and understanding about being a cartoonist, and full of interesting tidbits. The idea that there was a time when cartoonists would travel from magazine to magazine, selling single panel pictures, meeting for drinks, and going home to draw is seems like from a far distant world. Many cartoonists have five or six jobs to keep the lights on in their studio. What also becomes clear from the interview is the love they have for what they do, and the pride they take in their work.
I love to see people living their dream, and this book is full of that. There might be a lot of struggling to do so, but one can see they really love what they do. That is rare. A great book for burgeoning cartoonists, people who love portraits, as the photos are really quite good. And people like me who loved to read about creativity no matter where it comes from, or what it creates.
Two things that have always interested me are creativity and cartooning. I love to read how creators get there ideas, be it buying them wholesale from a store in Schenectady, as Harlan Ellison used to quip, a chance conversation, or just sitting at a table and sketching one's way to brilliance. As a person who can't draw a straight line with a ruler, I have always loved cartoons, especially single panel works. The idea that the story, the setup the punchline and a picture take place in one drawing is always astonishing to me. This love took awhile. I grew up with the funnies, Dick Tracy, Dondi, Broom Hilda, and loved the stories, the places the panels would take you. My father was subscriber to The New Yorker and started sharing the cartoons with me. I must admit I was a bit like a Seinfeld character in the beginning, not getting the one panel sketch, nor the jokes. Soon though I came to appreciate it, the work involved, and would pick up cues that told me who various illustrators were, and what I could expect. This is why I loved this book so much. At Wit's End: Cartoonists of The New Yorker features photographs by famed photographer Alen MacWeeney with words and commentary by cartoonist and historian Michael Maslin featuring over 50 cartoonists from The New Yorker, from the past, the present and future up-and-comers.
There have been about 700 cartoonists who have had work appear in the one hundred years that The New Yorker has been published. Many have been lost to time or produced works in anonymity. The cartoons were started as a way to fill in spaces in the magazine, as their was not much money in the beginning and articles could only be stretched so far. The book features 50 cartoonists, with photos taken by MacWeeney. Accompanying this photos are essays either featuring commentary on the art, interviews with the artist, or a bit of both. These are written by Michael Maslin, a cartoonist whose work has appeared in the magazine, and who also has a website about the history of The New Yorker's cartoons. These photos show the cartoonists at rest, at play, and sometimes at work. Along with the essays are panels of some of their works, so one gets an idea of the creative sparks these people have within them.
I enjoyed this quite a bit. I loved putting names and faces to cartoons that I have enjoyed over the years. The writing I thought was quite good, knowledgeable and understanding about being a cartoonist, and full of interesting tidbits. The idea that there was a time when cartoonists would travel from magazine to magazine, selling single panel pictures, meeting for drinks, and going home to draw is seems like from a far distant world. Many cartoonists have five or six jobs to keep the lights on in their studio. What also becomes clear from the interview is the love they have for what they do, and the pride they take in their work.
I love to see people living their dream, and this book is full of that. There might be a lot of struggling to do so, but one can see they really love what they do. That is rare. A great book for burgeoning cartoonists, people who love portraits, as the photos are really quite good. And people like me who loved to read about creativity no matter where it comes from, or what it creates.
February 5, 2025
In celebration of The New Yorker's centennial, Alen MacWeeney's photographic odyssey, complemented by Michael Maslin's insightful profiles, offers an unprecedented glimpse into the lives and minds of the magazine's most distinctive voices in cartooning. This remarkable collection serves as both a historical document and an artistic celebration, capturing the essence of those who have shaped American humor through single-panel storytelling.
Key Elements:
• Stunning portraiture by MacWeeney spanning four decades
• Engaging profiles of over 50 cartoonists by insider Michael Maslin
• Curated selection of iconic cartoons from each featured artist
The book's greatest triumph lies in its masterful integration of three distinct elements:
Visual Documentation:
MacWeeney's photographs transcend mere documentation, revealing the playful and often eccentric personalities behind the pen. From Robert Mankoff's whimsical shower-curtain pose to Edward Koren's unexpected role as a volunteer firefighter, these portraits offer intimate glimpses into the cartoonists' character that mirror the wit found in their work.
Historical Context:
• 700+ cartoonists featured over the magazine's century-long run
• Evolution from space-filling necessity to cultural cornerstone
• Transformation of the cartooning profession across decades
Personal Narratives:
The profiles crafted by Maslin, himself a New Yorker cartoonist, provide valuable insider perspectives. These narratives illuminate the challenges faced by modern cartoonists, many of whom juggle multiple jobs while pursuing their craft, as well as their unwavering dedication to their art form.
What distinguishes this volume is its ability to humanize these cultural commentators while maintaining their mystique. The book reveals how these artists transform everyday observations into singular moments of clarity and humor, making the complex accessible through simple lines and carefully chosen words.
Areas of Excellence:
• Masterful photography that captures personality and craft
• Well-researched historical context
• Balanced representation of legendary and emerging talents
• Thoughtful curation of representative works
The book particularly excels in demonstrating how The New Yorker's cartoons have evolved from simple space-fillers to essential cultural commentary, while maintaining their signature style and wit. Through these profiles, we understand how these artists serve as both observers and interpreters of American life.
This collection will appeal to:
• Aspiring cartoonists and visual artists
• Photography enthusiasts
• Cultural historians
• New Yorker devotees
• Anyone interested in creative processes
Rating: 4.5/5 - A masterful blend of visual biography and cultural history that succeeds in both documenting and celebrating this unique art form.
"At Wit's End" stands as an essential addition to the canon of American cultural history, offering valuable insights into both the art of cartooning and the evolving nature of visual commentary in our society. It's not just a book about cartoonists; it's a testament to the enduring power of visual storytelling and the artists who have mastered this distinctive form of communication.
Key Elements:
• Stunning portraiture by MacWeeney spanning four decades
• Engaging profiles of over 50 cartoonists by insider Michael Maslin
• Curated selection of iconic cartoons from each featured artist
The book's greatest triumph lies in its masterful integration of three distinct elements:
Visual Documentation:
MacWeeney's photographs transcend mere documentation, revealing the playful and often eccentric personalities behind the pen. From Robert Mankoff's whimsical shower-curtain pose to Edward Koren's unexpected role as a volunteer firefighter, these portraits offer intimate glimpses into the cartoonists' character that mirror the wit found in their work.
Historical Context:
• 700+ cartoonists featured over the magazine's century-long run
• Evolution from space-filling necessity to cultural cornerstone
• Transformation of the cartooning profession across decades
Personal Narratives:
The profiles crafted by Maslin, himself a New Yorker cartoonist, provide valuable insider perspectives. These narratives illuminate the challenges faced by modern cartoonists, many of whom juggle multiple jobs while pursuing their craft, as well as their unwavering dedication to their art form.
What distinguishes this volume is its ability to humanize these cultural commentators while maintaining their mystique. The book reveals how these artists transform everyday observations into singular moments of clarity and humor, making the complex accessible through simple lines and carefully chosen words.
Areas of Excellence:
• Masterful photography that captures personality and craft
• Well-researched historical context
• Balanced representation of legendary and emerging talents
• Thoughtful curation of representative works
The book particularly excels in demonstrating how The New Yorker's cartoons have evolved from simple space-fillers to essential cultural commentary, while maintaining their signature style and wit. Through these profiles, we understand how these artists serve as both observers and interpreters of American life.
This collection will appeal to:
• Aspiring cartoonists and visual artists
• Photography enthusiasts
• Cultural historians
• New Yorker devotees
• Anyone interested in creative processes
Rating: 4.5/5 - A masterful blend of visual biography and cultural history that succeeds in both documenting and celebrating this unique art form.
"At Wit's End" stands as an essential addition to the canon of American cultural history, offering valuable insights into both the art of cartooning and the evolving nature of visual commentary in our society. It's not just a book about cartoonists; it's a testament to the enduring power of visual storytelling and the artists who have mastered this distinctive form of communication.
June 1, 2025
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
At Wit's End is a delightful collection of photos with stories collected by Michael Maslin (photos by Alen MacWeeny) behind the cartoonists whose creativity make The New Yorker the titan of periodicals which it's been for 100 years. Released 19th Nov 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Clarkson Potter imprint, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a great collection, worthwhile for -either- the photos -or- the stories, the combination is sublime. Clearly of more immediate relevance to fans of The New Yorker, it's nevertheless a great collection for anyone who enjoys current events, cartooning, or even just perspicacious folks being intelligent. Many of the included artists will be instantly recognizable to most readers, some will be vaguely familiar, and some will likely be new.
The stories and bios include working rituals and creative processes, some personal origin stories about how they first came to work with the New Yorker, and some lighter (or darker) reminiscences on life and philosophy.
Five stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home library, or gift giving. Definitely a worthwhile "lazy Saturday coffee shop" read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
At Wit's End is a delightful collection of photos with stories collected by Michael Maslin (photos by Alen MacWeeny) behind the cartoonists whose creativity make The New Yorker the titan of periodicals which it's been for 100 years. Released 19th Nov 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Clarkson Potter imprint, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a great collection, worthwhile for -either- the photos -or- the stories, the combination is sublime. Clearly of more immediate relevance to fans of The New Yorker, it's nevertheless a great collection for anyone who enjoys current events, cartooning, or even just perspicacious folks being intelligent. Many of the included artists will be instantly recognizable to most readers, some will be vaguely familiar, and some will likely be new.
The stories and bios include working rituals and creative processes, some personal origin stories about how they first came to work with the New Yorker, and some lighter (or darker) reminiscences on life and philosophy.
Five stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home library, or gift giving. Definitely a worthwhile "lazy Saturday coffee shop" read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 15, 2024
This is a fabulous book. First you've got Alen MacWeeney's delightful photos, taken over the past 40 or more years, of cartoonists for The New Yorker, then brief profiles by Michael Maslin (himself a New Yorker cartoonist), and finally representative cartoons for each artist. So, yes, I frequently laughed out loud, not just at the cartoons, but at the ways the cartoonists chose to present themselves: Robert Mankoff swaddled like a newborn from chin to toe in ... I don't know what ...a shower curtain? Roz Chast with a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary overhead, Edward Koren in ... is he really a volunteer fireman? Highly recommended as a Christmas gift, and buy one for yourself as well.
December 5, 2024
#AtWitsEnd #NetGalley
Melding words with art creating snapshots of thought provoking moments.
That’s what New Yorker cartoons represent.
With this book, we learn of the creative minds behind those cartoons. It takes talent to use a limited space and leave lasting impressions. Hearing who they were inspired by as well as what they motivated the final result that landed in the weekly magazine was eye opening.
This book belongs on the shelves of New Yorker fans, and lovers of graphic art.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, Clarkson Potter/TenSpeed Press, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Melding words with art creating snapshots of thought provoking moments.
That’s what New Yorker cartoons represent.
With this book, we learn of the creative minds behind those cartoons. It takes talent to use a limited space and leave lasting impressions. Hearing who they were inspired by as well as what they motivated the final result that landed in the weekly magazine was eye opening.
This book belongs on the shelves of New Yorker fans, and lovers of graphic art.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, Clarkson Potter/TenSpeed Press, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2024
I learned from this book that The New Yorker has had over 700 cartoonists, and they seem to be as funny in real life as in their cartoons. The chosen artists get a section where they pose in unique, funny ways, and we get to learn more about them, their inspirations, and other parts of their lives. Humor can be difficult, and each of these artists had such an interesting view of the world. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
March 10, 2025
Fun, funny, informative. A perfect blend of incredible photography by Alen Macweeney, written exposition and of course, New Yorker comics. Michael Maslin’s pure love for the art form and the creators really shines through in a beautiful, utterly non-cynical way.
April 7, 2025
Just wonderful! A light, fun read full of interesting New Yorker details and stories of those behind the iconic cartoons from the magazine.
Each profiled cartoonist is photographed so uniquely and a few of their memorable pieces are featured. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
Each profiled cartoonist is photographed so uniquely and a few of their memorable pieces are featured. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
December 9, 2024
As a long time fan of The New Yorker, the cartoons were my favorite part. Loved meeting the cartoonists and having a chance to compare and appreciate their styles.
March 29, 2025
Pure bliss. Cartoonists elucidate their process, style, and influences. Speaking of, no profile on Arno, Addams, or Thurber. But they appear frequently, as do many of my Mad faves
January 15, 2026
Wonderful!
This made me so happy.
This made me so happy.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews