Playboy's Silverstein Around the World

by Shel Silverstein, Hugh M. Hefner (Foreword), Mitch Myers (Introduction)

Displaying the wit and marvelous drawings that made Shel Silverstein one of the most beloved artists of the century, Playboy's Silverstein Around the World collects and reproduces the twenty-three travel pieces Silverstein created for Playboy between 1957 and 1968.

While children and adults alike know Shel Silverstein for his classic books The Giving Tree, A Light in the Attic, and Where the Sidewalk Ends, they may be less aware that Silverstein also created a dazzling series of illustrated comic travelogues published by Hugh M. Hefner in Playboy. Playboy's Silverstein Around the World not only reproduces these fascinating articles in facsimile form, it also provides an introduction with never-before-seen photos and drawings and rare, illuminating biographical detail.

Beginning in May 1957 with "Return to Tokyo," the pieces reproduced in this book took Silverstein from Scandinavia to Africa and the Middle East, from Paris and London to Moscow, ending in the summer of 1968 with the two-part epic "Silverstein Among the Hippies." This unique collection is a legacy of the close relationship between Silverstein and Hefner, who saw the great potential of this particular combination of artist and assignment, and the social revolution led by Playboy in the 1950s and 1960s.

With its wry, ribald humor and beautifully produced color illustrations, this tableau of the mid-twentieth-century world is sure to please and fascinate Silverstein's millions of fans.

Contents:
• Foreword By Hugh M. Hefner
• Introduction By Mitch Myers
• Return To Tokyo (May 1957)
• Silverstein In Scandinavia (July 1957)
• Silverstein In London (October 1957)
• Silverstein In Paris (January 1958)
• Silverstein In Moscow (March 1958)
• Silverstein In Italy (June 1958)
• Silverstein In Switzerland (November 1958)
• Silverstein In Spain (March 1959)
• Silverstein Fights A Bull (April 1959)
• Silverstein Among The Arabs (August 1959)
• Silverstein In Africa (October 1959)
• Silverstein In Greenwich Village (September 1960)
• Silverstein In Alaska (May 1961)
• Silverstein In Hawaii (June 1961)
• Silverstein Plays Ball (June 1962)
• Silverstein In Miami (March 1963)
• Silverstein In A Nudist Camp (August 1963)
• Silverstein In Mexico (March 1965)
• Silverstein On Fire Island (August 1965)
• Silverstein In London (June 1967)
• Silverstein In Hollywood (January 1968)
• Silverstein Among The Hippies (July 1968)
• More Silverstein Among The Hippies (August 1968)
• Acknowledgments

Genres: Humor, Comics, Poetry, Nonfiction, Art, Travel, Graphic Novels

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Shel Silverstein was the author-artist of many beloved books of prose and poetry. He was a cartoonist, playwright, poet, performer, recording artist, and Grammy-winning, Oscar-nominated songwriter.

Shel Silverstein will perhaps always be best loved for his extraordinary books. Shel’s books are now published in more than 47 different languages. The last book that was published before his death in 1999 was Falling Up

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reprints the travels Shel Silverstein took for Playboy in the 60's. The Haight-Asbury chapter is worth the price of the book! Not sure we will ever see the likes of Shel Silverstein again; his work is so hard to categorize - I truly believe he can be considered a 'grandfather' of the GN as we know it today. His work is so hard to find today - only once in awhile do I see anything of his in the used bookstore I go to.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very dated collection of travelogue cartoons from the 1950s and 1960s filled with ugly American sentiments, sexism, and homophobia. And since it was published in Playboy, nudity and sex puns abound.

For Silverstein or Playboy completists only.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents:
• Foreword By Hugh M. Hefner
• Introduction By Mitch Myers
• Return To Tokyo (May 1957)
• Silverstein In Scandinavia (July 1957)
• Silverstein In London (October 1957)
• Silverstein In Paris (January 1958)
• Silverstein In Moscow (March 1958)
• Silverstein In Italy (June 1958)
• Silverstein In Switzerland (November 1958)
• Silverstein In Spain (March 1959)
• Silverstein Fights A Bull (April 1959)
• Silverstein Among The Arabs (August 1959)
• Silverstein In Africa (October 1959)
• Silverstein In Greenwich Village (September 1960)
• Silverstein In Alaska (May 1961)
• Silverstein In Hawaii (June 1961)
• Silverstein Plays Ball (June 1962)
• Silverstein In Miami (March 1963)
• Silverstein In A Nudist Camp (August 1963)
• Silverstein In Mexico (March 1965)
• Silverstein On Fire Island (August 1965)
• Silverstein In London (June 1967)
• Silverstein In Hollywood (January 1968)
• Silverstein Among The Hippies (July 1968)
• More Silverstein Among The Hippies (August 1968)
• Acknowledgments

[Eaon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. neat :)

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge Shel Silverstein fan and have read other FOR ADULTS ONLY work done by him, Different Dances, but this is something else entirely. This is a collection of articles from a time when Silverstein was touring the world as a corespondent for Playboy and they are reprinted here just as they were found in the magazine. This means that each section has a lame Playboy introduction, think carnival hawker, Girls, Girls, Girl see ya London, Spanish, Japanese girls. Taste the exotic flavor brought to you by our man-about-town, the worldly and experienced Shel Silverstein. Get ya popcorn 'ere. Okay maybe it wasn't exactly like that but that's how it felt.

Shel's funny cartoons themselves are great, draw in his signature style, full of social commentary and self deprecating humor. Unfortunately, and the introduction does address this, the cartoons are color coded. Instead of Shel's black ink on white paper, the cartoons have been been given a blue or orange or red backdrop depending on the country Shel was visiting, the last installment depicting American Hippies looks like a psychedelic seizure, I didn't like it.

Each section, article, also has some photographs of Shel experiencing life with the natives. Some of these were enjoyable, like seeing Shel dressed up as a bullfighter, others were less so, seeing Shel's naked ass as he hangs out (pun intended) with a nudest colony, please I DON'T need to see your 'giving tree'. There are plenty pictures of topless women, some of which I didn't see because they were torn out of my library copy probably by some prepubescent boy who hasn't discovered the internet, I could have gone without with these but I understand they were there for the Playboy reader.

The introduction was interesting and provided a little more insight into Silverstein, his friendship with Hugh Hefner, and his early career.

Overall this was interesting but not my favorite example of Shel Silverstein, I would recommend for fans, like myself, who are desperate to see every single result of Shel putting a pen to paper.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bottom Line First: Shel Silverstein s’: Playboy’s Silverstein Around the world is a good introduction to a man who would prove to have many talents and book most likely to appeal to his fans. This is not a book for the whole family nor is it without its failure to anticipate the sensibilities of the western world 65 years later. Here are reprinted 23 cartoon sketch books produced by Silverstein as he traveled the world on assignment from Playboy Magazine.

Yes there are regular pictures and drawings of nudity and regular depictions of cartoon sex. Shel usually suffers most from his humorous barbs. The degree to which women are demeaned by his art is a matter of personal taste and never a matter of conscious intent. For the fan this is Silverstein before his children’s books, his plays and movie scripts. This is the young man out on a spree with Hugh Hefner picking up the tab.

In the hardback edition, the material is reproduced, if memory serves, with the same cutesy introductions by the magazine editors and in the same size, colors as seen in the original magazine editions.

[Rene Low · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soft four. At times insightful, at times indulgent and at times barely interesting. I love some of Shels work but this collection isn’t really excellent

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was 9 years old when Playboy published Shel Silverstein's first travel piece in 1957. I was 20 when Playboy published his last in 1968. So this book for me is a tour of the sexual/pop culture memes of my youth as promoted by Playboy. I guess I lived in a different world. I get the sense somehow that Shel Silverstein wasn't wholly buying into the Playboy fantasy, either -- there's a certain arched eyebrow in his depiction of sexual freedom and sophisticated consumption even as he makes himself the central character of his drawings. It's fun, though. He's a great artist with a great sense of humor. I wish he hadn't gone on safari in Africa and killed a water buffalo. Or watched cock fights. Or tried to be a bullfighter. But he was on the Playboy payroll and had to fulfill the lifestyle they were promoting, sell the products of Playboy's advertisers which paid his salary. His other adult work, particularly his book Different Dances shows that he has a deeper, darker side.

I think he was aware of his role, aware that pop culture is by its nature a pile of hype. In one of his cartoons, he quotes a Londoner: "Of course you can't find 'Swinging London'! There are only a handful of people in London who have enough money to swing. The rest of us are busy doing articles and picture stories and television shows on 'Swinging London' so that you desperate Americans will come swarming over here looking for the action, and spend enough money to beef up our economy so we can afford to swing a bit!"

Later, looking back, Shel Silverstein told Hugh Hefner "So the travel for me has almost no value anymore. Seeing what? They're only places with people like myself. ... If I've created an image of a world traveler and adventurer, and the fact is I f**king want to sit down and grow roses with Suzie-Q -- I'm gonna do it."

He quit traveling for Playboy, and he lived another 30 years. Maybe he found Suzie Q.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic look at what Shel Silverstein was doing before he was writing children's poetry. I have a soft spot in my heart for Shel, because once upon a time, when I was a kid in elementary school (Bellview, go Mustangs! - though I think now they're not the mustangs any more...), my mom had to work on a family program night. (It might even have been like parent-teacher conferences, I honestly don't remember.) And my dad, who *never* went to these things, had to go with us. This one and only time my dad came with us, we won a copy of Where the Sidewalk Ends. We still have that copy somewhere in the old house, and it's a prized possession for both my sister and I.

All that said, I love Shel Silverstein, and he's one of my favorite poets to read out loud to kids. (Though I was super dismayed that there are teachers in my district who won't allow his works to be read for poetry assignments. BOO, HISS!)

This is a series of comics and cartoons drawn in the late 50s through most of the 60s, when Shel traveled around the world, quite literally, and had his photo taken to do a monthly and sometimes bi-monthly column for Playboy. They're all very entertaining and nowhere near as odd or borderline troubling as the comics in Different Dances 25th Anniversary Edition. I recommend this to any likewise Silverstein fans, though, beware that it's not really something your local library will have on hand; you may need to special order it.

[Joselito Honestly and Brilliantly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guy Shel Silverstein was supposed to have been more well-known as a children's book author (I have not read any of his children's books maybe because they were expensive which my book-buying father could not afford then). But in the 1950's he was a cartoonist for Playboy and a pal of Hugh Hefner. His job was to draw cartoons, travel around the world, meet different people, draw them, meet beautiful naked women, take photos of them, draw them, draw caricatures, have himself photographed with beautiful naked women, and also with the ugly naked ones, and this coffee table book, with its glossy pages, has plenty of these cartoons, beautiful and ugly naked human beings (including those of Silverstein himself), and you might think Silverstein thought his was the best job in the world but when he looked back at all these he told Hugh Hefner:

"I find that the things of value to me have become quite clear--that the times of closeness with real friends is becoming the most valuable thing of all. So the travel for me has almost no value anymore. Seeing what? They're only places with people like myself. If you want to show me a mountain, I've seen some high mountains, and I've seen what men can do with the pyramids. I've seen the tropics and so what? If I've created an image of a world traveler and adventurer, and the fact is I fucking want to sit down and grow roses with Suzie-Q--I'm gonna do it."


He died in 1999 doing that.

[Nevena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shel Silverstein had the most bitchingest job for years. He was paid to travel around the world, stay in some of the most beautiful places and fuck hot women. In exchange he did a couple of pages of cartoons for Playboy, which he would have drawn anyway. He went to Europe, Africa, nudist colonies, baseball camps, Alaska et cetera. He’s dirty, but so loveable. Oh Uncle Shelby.

I don't think I could be a matador, I would not like to kill a water buffalo and I don't want to be hit by a car and left on the side of the road for dead by locals who don't think I am worth helping unless I can pay them cash money, but I'd like to be like Shel Silverstein was when I grow up. He was courageous, kind and humble. I am so Enamoured (capital E).

[HeavyReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did you know that Shel Silverstein used to draw cartoons that appeared in Playboy? It's true and this book is testament to that part of his careeer!

As Silverstein travled around the world, he drew cartoons about his adventures that were then included in Playboy. The cartoons are clean, no naked women, except for the time when Silverstein was reporting in from a nudist camp, but there are definitely themes of Shel trying to convince women to have sex with him.

I accidentally stumbled upon this book when I was pulling books for interlibrary loan and saw this one on the new book shelves and decided to take it home. I'm glad I did. FUN!

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent fun with Shel Silverstein's unmistakable drawings.

741.5 A reproduction of the 23 travel pieces Silverstein created for Playboy between 1957 and 1968. Silverstein's travels, recording his adventures with his distinctive drawings, to Japan, Scandinavia, London, Paris, Moscow, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Africa, Greenwich Village, Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, a Nudist Camp, Mexico, Fire Island, Hollywood and Haight-Ashbury.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an amusing book. Silverstein definitely shows a lot of his wit in his cartoons and drawings. How he draws his own interpretations of the places he's been to (meeting comrades in Moscow, bullfighting in Madrid, mountain climbing in Switzerland, hunting in Africa, and making friends at a nudist camp to name a few) also creates a "scrapbook" feeling to the collection.

[Amy]

I love Shel Silverstein! My friend has this book. I started reading it when I was visiting. He is not a big reader, so when he showed me this book I was ecstatic. I had never heard of it, and didn't even know that Shel Silverstein had started his career doing cartoons for Playboy. I'm looking forward to finishing it next time I visit him. I may even get a copy of my own for my library.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good- some of the comics come off as really dated and mildly offensive (Shel goes to Africa and cringes result), but for the most part, it's a good look at Shel as an adult man, which you don't often see in his children's drawings and poems. And what would I give to travel around the world with the only expectation being that I make a one panel comic about it? That's the life.

[Karl Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've only read an excerpt of this, but it's by far his best illustrations. At least, from what I've seen. They're actually in color, and for that alone, this is leagues better than any of his poetry books featuring the stark black & white illustrations.

Almost don't want to read the whole thing, in the same way, that nobody wants to eat the last cookie.

Peace!

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

just got this book at the advise of the photographer, Larry Moyer. He has 50-60 of his photographs in the book where he and Shel traveled around the world taking pictures and having fun for Playboy! It's a remarkable book.

[Jaq Greenspon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of Silverstein's Travel cartoons and commentary is funny, irreverent and ultimately, quite meaningful. He starts off simply illustrating adventures but by the end, he's making some significant social commentary. Excellent read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it so far. Very interesting didn't know this about him.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

the giving tree guy is a cheeky lil horndog too

[Mpc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun period piece for the (now all grown-up) MAD Magazine subscriber inside me.

[Nicole Flowers Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book! Not for children! Found it by accident. And loved it.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave some money to a homeless shelter and they sent me back a thank you card. That was nice, but what really caught my eye was the stamp, a U.S. Postage stamp dedicated to Shel Silverstein! What are the chances? (He died 24 years ago.) Being a huge fan, of course I rushed on line to buy a few sheets myself, but they seem to be all sold out. Who knew? Maybe they didn't print enough. So, my interest revitalized, I immediately downloaded all the music he made (there were actually a few albums I didn't have!). That done, I started on the books, including this one. It's a compilation of cartoons he did, a few pages for each country (or locale) he visited. I liked them OK, but I recommend this book only for Silverstein completists. (You know who you are, you drove to Key West just to see his house.)

[The Chosen Poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

some jokes did pass over my head but some of them were just too darn clever

but oh boy the dark humour of our beloved shel was showing in this one xD but i couldn't be bothered in the slightest, this was such a funny and colorful experience i wish so bad i have the physical copy to just turn to and read its pages randomly when im feeling down

shel you legend, i wish i could have met you one day

[archie · Rating 4 out of 5]

some hits, some misses, some aged very poorly, but overall a rly great read & super interesting !

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

301:2025
Still quintessential Shel, but pretty much just for the grownups. As a kid who grew up when A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends were so popular that getting them off the shelf on library day was like striking gold, it was pretty fantastic to see this side of his art.

[Becka Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been looking off an on for years for Silverstein's more adult content - this book has a lot of the witty comics he drew for Playboy, along with pictures of him with many partially clothed women at teh Playboy mansion. Fluffy and easy on deep content, long on entertainment. Seeing these pictures of him in action changes one's perception a bit on a childhood hero, not necessarily in the best way.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a lot of Shel in my life. I learn more about him every book. This one was a book of travel cartoons that came out in Playboy magazine in the 60s ish. One of the critics said they liked Shel because he was funny but at no ones expense. We found the comics borderline racist. He draws himself as a character. I like that kind of thing. Cartoons featuring artists, books with writer characters and on and on.

[Amber the Human · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. I had no idea Silverstein did this. Essentially, Playboy paid him to travel to another country for a month and send back what he'd been up to and around a dozen cartoons. The craziest parts are getting gored by a bull in Spain while bullfighting and almost dying on the side of the road after a car accident while on safari in Africa. The nudist colony and San Francisco in 1968 seem tame after that.

[Justin Matott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars means "it was okay" I am not sure what I expected from this book, and although it was interesting to see the side of Shel that had little to do with his kid's book career, it wasn't THAT interesting. He was given an assignment by Playboy to travel the world and cartoon his experiences. I would have been happier to have spent the time just reading some of his silly poems.