What do you think?
Rate this book
You Back the Attack, We'll Bomb Who We Want
Stunning, hilarious & politically incendiary, this full-color poster book reworks classic American WWI & II propaganda into commentaries on war, peace & patriotism for the post-9/11 era. The 40 one-sided posters make fun of war mentality, the Bush White House, Homeland Security, the War on Terror, Ashcroft, the 2000 Presidential election, the military-industrial complex & much more. Posters of yesteryear such as Uncle Sam's "I Want You," & "Loose Lips Sink Ships" are reworked with new messages of peace & protest.
Foreword/ Kurt Vonnegut
Introduction: Dissent & Democracy/ Howard Zinn
Moment of Clarity
Posters & Commentaries
Foreword/ Kurt Vonnegut
Introduction: Dissent & Democracy/ Howard Zinn
Moment of Clarity
Posters & Commentaries
119 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
59 people want to read
About the author
Micah Ian Wright
42 books3 followersMicah Ian Wright is a Native American author who has worked in film, television, animation, video games and comic books. He is a tribally enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 26, 2023
This was really fun to read. I really enjoyed the format of how this was written. Highlights the precisely why US imperialism is detrimental for the global proletariat.
July 27, 2015
The reworked WWII posters on the front and back covers caught my eye. The prefatory materials by Zinn and Vonnegut convinced me to make the purchase of this satirical book from our local used bookstore, The Armadillo's Pillow.
In fact, the introduction and foreword don't amount to much. What was most impressive was the author's vivid account of his participation in the invasion of Panama.
In fact, the introduction and foreword don't amount to much. What was most impressive was the author's vivid account of his participation in the invasion of Panama.
August 29, 2010
The idea behind this book was solid. Micah took various propaganda posters from various countries and wars (most of them were American circa WWII) and updated them to be relevant to Iraq and Afghanistan. He threw in various articles and commentaries on the wars and the general state of unrest in this country.
I was impressed, initially. A few of the updated posters were somewhat amusing, thought none of them were funny. Most of them, however, were just stupid and over the top. I will never understand the need for Anti-Bush people to exaggerate what a douche he was. There's plenty of fact based arguments to make without comparing him to Hitler or making 'jokes' about his sexual prowess. All this shit does is make the left look crazy and close the mind of those who might have considered what he had to say.
Except, of course, it turns out that he doesn't have much to say except that war = bad and peace = good.
The articles were not only repetitive but many of them were downright insulting and condescending to the reader. I felt like I was being lectured and talked down to, when quite frankly, if this book is any indication, I'm much more well informed than Mr. Wright is.
The idea behind this book was good which makes me even more disappointed in how poorly it was executed.
I was impressed, initially. A few of the updated posters were somewhat amusing, thought none of them were funny. Most of them, however, were just stupid and over the top. I will never understand the need for Anti-Bush people to exaggerate what a douche he was. There's plenty of fact based arguments to make without comparing him to Hitler or making 'jokes' about his sexual prowess. All this shit does is make the left look crazy and close the mind of those who might have considered what he had to say.
Except, of course, it turns out that he doesn't have much to say except that war = bad and peace = good.
The articles were not only repetitive but many of them were downright insulting and condescending to the reader. I felt like I was being lectured and talked down to, when quite frankly, if this book is any indication, I'm much more well informed than Mr. Wright is.
The idea behind this book was good which makes me even more disappointed in how poorly it was executed.
January 20, 2013
I thought about buying one of Micah Wright's modified posters awhile back, so when I saw this book at a thrift store I picked it up.
The posters are a clever idea, but generally poorly executed. Wright should take a cue from subversive pop artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey and hire a team to execute his visions. The revised posters often have poor type choices, especially compared to the meticulous hand-lettering of the originals. A few even seem to be made from low-res files! Even if this was a production error, it's an embarrassing mistake.
On top of the so-so execution, most are wordy and overly didactic - lacking the punch of the originals.
The accompanying text from the Center for Constitutional Rights suffers from similar problems. They explain what the parody poster is 'doing', which undermines any bite the parody might have. It also seems pretty indiscriminate in its attacks - simultaneously attacking American consumerism and criticizing the Bush administration for the damage protracted war will do to our 401-ks. After a point the overwrought rhetorical tone alienates even readers who strongly agree with the points being made.
But still a worthwhile read, because many Americans are unaware of the evil being done in their names and the dramatic erosion of our liberties. Despite the ham-handedness, it's chilling stuff.
The posters are a clever idea, but generally poorly executed. Wright should take a cue from subversive pop artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey and hire a team to execute his visions. The revised posters often have poor type choices, especially compared to the meticulous hand-lettering of the originals. A few even seem to be made from low-res files! Even if this was a production error, it's an embarrassing mistake.
On top of the so-so execution, most are wordy and overly didactic - lacking the punch of the originals.
The accompanying text from the Center for Constitutional Rights suffers from similar problems. They explain what the parody poster is 'doing', which undermines any bite the parody might have. It also seems pretty indiscriminate in its attacks - simultaneously attacking American consumerism and criticizing the Bush administration for the damage protracted war will do to our 401-ks. After a point the overwrought rhetorical tone alienates even readers who strongly agree with the points being made.
But still a worthwhile read, because many Americans are unaware of the evil being done in their names and the dramatic erosion of our liberties. Despite the ham-handedness, it's chilling stuff.
November 19, 2008
Micah Ian Wright's remixed war propaganda posters are pretty cool. Some are really awesome, some just so-so. What's written is also decent, if you're into hearing about how lame the Bush administration was/is. This is a really short book, where half of it is just pictures (which is the real reason I checked it out). I do think it would be fun to copy some of these reworked posters and hang them around town or campus.
January 1, 2014
Super great book of awesome posters. This is a really creative idea. I recommend it, even if you don't read the accompanying text - at least check out the posters (and it has the originals in the back.) With brief intros from Kurt Vonnegut & Howard Zinn (RIP).
October 1, 2007
WWII posters rewritten pessimistically and sarcasticly for today.
February 8, 2008
Interesting, but may lose relevance after the Bush administration passes away. Perhaps it will acquire historic interest at that time.
March 22, 2012
Thought provoking.
January 9, 2014
All this book does is remind me that anti-war propaganda can be just as awful and infuriating as pro-war propaganda.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews