Review by Readerjorge -- Winners and Losers in words and...
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Jorge Leon Salazar
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Review by Readerjorge -- Winners and Losers in words and...
[Following is a volunteer review of "Winners and Losers in words and cartoons" by Arthur Hartz.]
Winners and Losers in words and cartoons by Arthur Hartz is a book of cartoons and aphorisms about concepts highly valued in the United States. These are winning and losing. This book intends to be entertaining and thought-provoking simultaneously. It presents a critical proposal about the way in which society or, rather, humanity has promoted false appraisal around the evaluation of how a person is considered successful or loser.
Arthur Hartz combines, as in his other books, satire, criticism, and humor. This work primarily examines the consequences of extreme worship to winning that values success above all else. In particular, the winner's topic comprehends how winners are treated and how they treat others. Intrinsically, the cult of winners also detracts from those who lack the ability to win, the losers.
The book is arranged into nine chapters, each of which covers, more specifically, one aspect of the principal subject. One of them represents the excessive importance assigned to winning, to exalting famous people. In some cartoons, the idea of preferring fame and fortune before love is raised. Beauty and intelligence are considered essential, not decorative. The most appreciated qualities are frivolous. Integrity is a secondary aptitude. Hartz exposes aphorisms regarding the exaggerated importance attributed to show oneself as a winner. Plus, the author dedicates some chapters to the losers. In this sense, aspects such as: what losers lack; highlight the negative in those who they consider losers; mortifications as a trait of losers; and coping strategies of losers. In all of these, the author makes references to touches of sarcasm. These insinuate the losers must accept their inferiority, and that without the losers’ envy the winners would be nothing.
It is the second book that I read by this author. I am struck by the creativity employed in the aphorisms and cartoons to transmit messages with different approaches, both judgemental and humorous. I think Hartz possesses a vast capacity to prepare works that can cause the readers to reflect and laugh out loud at the same time.
The cartoons are masterfully crafted exposing the content necessary for the message the author wants to convey. Since the author did not produce the graphic arts, the cartoonists obtain part of that merit. In the same way, the writing of the aphorisms reveals the ability to wrap satirical and critical visual arts.
I liked the disapproving approach against patterns that society has imposed to consider both a winner and a loser. Many admire people for being beautiful, singing prominently, or standing out in a sport, but few esteem persons for their contributions and achievements in their community. Currently, with social media, a winner can be someone who gains many followers or many likes. Without a doubt, the concept of success has been misrepresented worldwide. Hartz presents several examples to ponder. The two that I liked the most were: one in which Michael Jordan is placed at the top of the characters to admire above Mother Teresa and Albert Einstein. The other is one in which an important figure regrets that many of the people killed in the holocaust might have been Nobel Prize winners.
There was nothing I disliked about this book. In most cases, I agree with the ironies and criticisms raised in the book. They have occasioned me to reflect, and I think they are important contributions to improve the perception that many maintain about success, being a winner, and being a loser. The edition is remarkable since I scarcely observed one typo. I think this book is suitable for teens and adults. I recommend it to those who are attracted to the theme and who like aphorisms, cartoons, and graphic arts. For all that said, I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.
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Winners and Losers in words and cartoons
******
Winners and Losers in words and cartoons
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Winners and Losers in words and cartoons by Arthur Hartz is a book of cartoons and aphorisms about concepts highly valued in the United States. These are winning and losing. This book intends to be entertaining and thought-provoking simultaneously. It presents a critical proposal about the way in which society or, rather, humanity has promoted false appraisal around the evaluation of how a person is considered successful or loser.
Arthur Hartz combines, as in his other books, satire, criticism, and humor. This work primarily examines the consequences of extreme worship to winning that values success above all else. In particular, the winner's topic comprehends how winners are treated and how they treat others. Intrinsically, the cult of winners also detracts from those who lack the ability to win, the losers.
The book is arranged into nine chapters, each of which covers, more specifically, one aspect of the principal subject. One of them represents the excessive importance assigned to winning, to exalting famous people. In some cartoons, the idea of preferring fame and fortune before love is raised. Beauty and intelligence are considered essential, not decorative. The most appreciated qualities are frivolous. Integrity is a secondary aptitude. Hartz exposes aphorisms regarding the exaggerated importance attributed to show oneself as a winner. Plus, the author dedicates some chapters to the losers. In this sense, aspects such as: what losers lack; highlight the negative in those who they consider losers; mortifications as a trait of losers; and coping strategies of losers. In all of these, the author makes references to touches of sarcasm. These insinuate the losers must accept their inferiority, and that without the losers’ envy the winners would be nothing.
It is the second book that I read by this author. I am struck by the creativity employed in the aphorisms and cartoons to transmit messages with different approaches, both judgemental and humorous. I think Hartz possesses a vast capacity to prepare works that can cause the readers to reflect and laugh out loud at the same time.
The cartoons are masterfully crafted exposing the content necessary for the message the author wants to convey. Since the author did not produce the graphic arts, the cartoonists obtain part of that merit. In the same way, the writing of the aphorisms reveals the ability to wrap satirical and critical visual arts.
I liked the disapproving approach against patterns that society has imposed to consider both a winner and a loser. Many admire people for being beautiful, singing prominently, or standing out in a sport, but few esteem persons for their contributions and achievements in their community. Currently, with social media, a winner can be someone who gains many followers or many likes. Without a doubt, the concept of success has been misrepresented worldwide. Hartz presents several examples to ponder. The two that I liked the most were: one in which Michael Jordan is placed at the top of the characters to admire above Mother Teresa and Albert Einstein. The other is one in which an important figure regrets that many of the people killed in the holocaust might have been Nobel Prize winners.
There was nothing I disliked about this book. In most cases, I agree with the ironies and criticisms raised in the book. They have occasioned me to reflect, and I think they are important contributions to improve the perception that many maintain about success, being a winner, and being a loser. The edition is remarkable since I scarcely observed one typo. I think this book is suitable for teens and adults. I recommend it to those who are attracted to the theme and who like aphorisms, cartoons, and graphic arts. For all that said, I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Winners and Losers in words and cartoons
******
Winners and Losers in words and cartoons
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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bookreviewmi1111
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I also rated this book 4 out of 4 stars. I liked the sarcasm and the illustrations. Thank you for the review!
