Review by gabrielletiemi -- Winners and Losers in words ...

[Gabrielle Sigaki]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Winners and Losers in words and cartoons" by Arthur Hartz.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Winners and Losers in words and cartoons is a book that shows the culture of valuing victory and disliking defeat. Arthur Hartz does this ingeniously, using creative images with proverbs and short dialogues. He begins the book by showing us what makes a person a winner and how society treats such individuals. Then, he develops the book's premise showing the treatment of those who are considered losers.

In the world where what matters is winning, Hartz demonstrates that many people see victory as the appearance of success, fame, wealth. But nothing matters if others don't feel jealous about their possessions. People overestimate the winners' external characteristics and underestimate their defects. While the losers, in society's perspective, lack the beautiful appearance, even if they have kindness or character, it doesn't matter.

What I liked most about the book were the aphorisms. Hartz does these short sayings guiding us through the illustrations and creating order in our reading. The cartoons are fun to pass the time, and to reflect, but some of them are more tragic. We see what the culture of being victorious has done to society: people don't care about others unless they are praised or benefited by it. Losers are seen as paths to achieve victory, through the exploitation of their work, and their goodwill.

An illustration that caught my attention was the first of the chapter “What makes a winner?”. It shows two stores that sell features, on the sign in front of one building we see fidelity, honesty, and compassion as cheap traits. While in the most expensive, there are beauty, intelligence, energy, and talent. Finally, to strengthen the statement, the phrase that the author puts next to this picture tells us that “Beauty and intelligence are considered essence, not ornament.”

There's nothing I didn't like about the book, and its execution was impeccable. The development of the theme through illustrations and short comments makes reading dynamic and fast. But it's at the same time profound if we reflect on the stories. Also, I found no grammatical errors, and the book was exceptionally well-edited.

Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The author criticizes the need to be a winner humorously and philosophically at the same time. Besides, the small comments help us to understand the thoughts behind each frame. It's a book that I recommend to everyone, but especially for those who want to reflect on why we like to win and hate losing. But it's also for those who just want to be distracted with funny comics.

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Winners and Losers in words and cartoons
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Mutai Marshal]

I enjoyed reading your review! Humans are inclined to success rather than failure

[Tonika632]

We all like to be successful, but that is not always the case. It is important to be happy no matter what life gives us. Great review!

[Gabrielle Sigaki]

I enjoyed reading your review! Humans are inclined to success rather than failure

Indeed, we are always looking forward to winning and we get frustrated when we don't. This book brings a unique view of this topic, it makes us think a lot about it. Thanks for your comment!

[Gabrielle Sigaki]

We all like to be successful, but that is not always the case. It is important to be happy no matter what life gives us. Great review!

Sometimes we think that achieving success is the only way to achieve happiness, and that's not right. Thanks for commenting!

[LinaJan]

Phew! I'm glad I moved past the part of the review that made me raise my eyebrow and get vertical wrinkles where my nose meets my forehead! For a second I thought that the author was actually being serious without 'in between the lines' Byt the time I got to the end of your review, I decided to give this a go! It does, indeed, sound like a unique approach!

Thank you! An awesome review!

[Diana Lowery]

I was debating about reading this book. Your review was very helpful.

[Dee_Robert]

This book really sounds good, second review I've seen about it and I'm almost swayed.
Terrific review.

[Gabrielle Sigaki]

Phew! I'm glad I moved past the part of the review that made me raise my eyebrow and get vertical wrinkles where my nose meets my forehead! For a second I thought that the author was actually being serious without 'in between the lines' Byt the time I got to the end of your review, I decided to give this a go! It does, indeed, sound like a unique approach!

Thank you! An awesome review!

This book is pretty unique indeed, the irony the author uses makes us laugh but also makes us reflect a lot. Thanks for commenting!

[Gabrielle Sigaki]

I was debating about reading this book. Your review was very helpful.

I'm glad my review helped you. Thanks for passing by!

[Gabrielle Sigaki]

This book really sounds good, second review I've seen about it and I'm almost swayed.
Terrific review.

This book is amazing, Hartz has a great writing ability. The quotes, the aphorisms, and the dialogues blend in incredible harmony. Thank you for commenting!

[BookBoyP]

I like how the author delves into people character of how they treat winners and losers. This is going to be a great read for me.

[Harty Muli]

I like the author's perspectives of being victorious and what it takes to be a winner. Nice review thanks.

[Gabrielle Sigaki]

I like how the author delves into people character of how they treat winners and losers. This is going to be a great read for me.

I'm sure you are going to enjoy it! It's a pretty interesting book. Thanks for commenting!

[Gabrielle Sigaki]

I like the author's perspectives of being victorious and what it takes to be a winner. Nice review thanks.

The author's point of view and how he develops it is pretty unique. Thanks for passing by!