Status
Available
Publication
New York, New York : Dutton, [2019]
Description
"The definitive, fascinating, all-reaching biography of Dr. Seuss Dr. Seuss is a classic American icon. His work has defined our childhoods and the childhoods of our own children. More than twenty-five years after his death, his books continue to find new readers, now grossing over half a billion dollars in sales. His whimsical illustrations and silly, simple rhymes are timeless favorites because, quite simply, he makes us laugh. Theodor Geisel, however, led a life that goes much deeper than the prolific and beloved children's book author. In fact, the allure and fascination of Dr. Seuss begins with this second, more radical side. He had a successful career as a political cartoonist, and his political leanings can be felt throughout his books--remember the environmentalist of The Lorax? Geisel was a complicated man, who introduced generations to the wonders of reading while teaching young people about empathy and how to treat others well"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Beamis12
3.5 Like many of us I grew up with his books, but it was my youngest daughter and my grandchildren who really loved his books. "Do you like my hat?" "I do not like your hat." will forever be stuck in my mind. His books were quirky, fun, for both adults and children.
A good biography gives us a good
We find out much about his personal and professional life. I thought his college escapades went on to long, a few other parts too, that period of time certainly showed us his early path to becoming Dr. Seuss. I was surprised to learn that this man whose books have made such an impression on generations, never had children of his own. He was happy that he could make reading fun, and he certainly did that.
ARC from Edelweiss.
A good biography gives us a good
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sense of what made the man and who he was, who he became. This book certainly did that. Reading about his youth it is easy to see Dr. Seuss in the young Theodor Geisel. A practical joker from the get go, he would learn as he went, in college writing for the humor magazine and Dartmouth. His career path was far from straightforward, continually changing. Writing for advertisers, magazines, it wouldn't be until much later before he found a publisher for his children's books. Some of his published jokes were misogynistic, bigoted by our view now, but it was acceptable at the time. He would later regret this period in his life.We find out much about his personal and professional life. I thought his college escapades went on to long, a few other parts too, that period of time certainly showed us his early path to becoming Dr. Seuss. I was surprised to learn that this man whose books have made such an impression on generations, never had children of his own. He was happy that he could make reading fun, and he certainly did that.
ARC from Edelweiss.
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LibraryThing member over.the.edge
Becoming Dr. Seuss: Theodor Geisel and The Making of An American Legend
by: Brian Jay Jones
2019
Dutton
3.9 / 5.0
One of of America´s most beloved icons, Dr. Seuss had a controversial and active life. This ia a definitive and detailed biography that left me with an honest sense of the person he was,
Jones begins with Theodor´s childhood and his love of the zoo, his years at college and graduate school writing satirical political cartoons. He joined the army, working on manuals and instruction books, and began publishing controversial cartoons that many called him on. Rightly so!
It was interesting to read about the inspirations for his books and the details of their origins.
Jones biography of Dr. Seuss is comprehensive and well written.
Thanks to Dutton Books for sending this e-book ARC for review. #NetGalley #BecomingDrSeuss
by: Brian Jay Jones
2019
Dutton
3.9 / 5.0
One of of America´s most beloved icons, Dr. Seuss had a controversial and active life. This ia a definitive and detailed biography that left me with an honest sense of the person he was,
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and his career. I did not like his overall attitude and the way he treated his wife left me cold. Its interesting that a man whose life revolved around entertaining children, never had any and never adopted. However, this was really well written, detailed without being repetitive and boring. I really enjoyed reading it.Jones begins with Theodor´s childhood and his love of the zoo, his years at college and graduate school writing satirical political cartoons. He joined the army, working on manuals and instruction books, and began publishing controversial cartoons that many called him on. Rightly so!
It was interesting to read about the inspirations for his books and the details of their origins.
Jones biography of Dr. Seuss is comprehensive and well written.
Thanks to Dutton Books for sending this e-book ARC for review. #NetGalley #BecomingDrSeuss
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LibraryThing member JenniferRobb
I remember reading many Dr. Seuss books when younger and more recently reading them to my nephew. Despite that, I didn't know much about the man behind them beyond his name. As I read this, I found things to admire about the man and things I didn't admire so much. In the end, it left me a little
Oddly enough, I didn't realize cancer had played a role in his life until I read this book--and a head and neck cancer at that!
What I liked:
Learning that he struggled with his creations gave me hope. He worked hard to create the final products that we saw. He would discard or throw out things that he didn't feel were working. He refused to compromise on his standards. Considering how much I struggle with writing, it was nice to see that it didn't always come easily to him either.
He believed in writing to people rather than writing down at people. He managed to change the world of children's literature.
He produced many memorable stories and characters. Many still endure to this day.
He did mentor some authors and artists. I also remember reading the Berensteins and P. B. Eastman--two authors who published in the same department as Seuss's books.
How he and Helen worked as a team for so many years--complementing each other. It was something different than what he had with Audrey.
What I didn't like:
He could be difficult and tempermental--it probably made him difficult to work with. He threw his weight around after achieving success, managing to get control over one of the children's divisions even at the expense of the owner's wife's role in that department.
He fell in love with Audrey while he was married to Helen (and Audrey was married also). It's unclear in this book if they had a sexual affair while both were still married--it seems implied that they might have after Helen committed suicide (while Audrey was seeking her divorce).
That Audrey shipped her daughters off to live with their father after she and Ted got married because she didn't feel Ted was ready to have kids around. (Though he did later develop good relationships with them both apparently.)
Helen apparently committed suicide (reasons behind it only speculated at in this book).
He smoked a lot through his lifetime. In fact, his cancer was possibly attributed to this habit. He also drank often (though not to the level of alcoholism, though his sister apparently suffered from that affliction.)
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disappointed in the man.Oddly enough, I didn't realize cancer had played a role in his life until I read this book--and a head and neck cancer at that!
What I liked:
Learning that he struggled with his creations gave me hope. He worked hard to create the final products that we saw. He would discard or throw out things that he didn't feel were working. He refused to compromise on his standards. Considering how much I struggle with writing, it was nice to see that it didn't always come easily to him either.
He believed in writing to people rather than writing down at people. He managed to change the world of children's literature.
He produced many memorable stories and characters. Many still endure to this day.
He did mentor some authors and artists. I also remember reading the Berensteins and P. B. Eastman--two authors who published in the same department as Seuss's books.
How he and Helen worked as a team for so many years--complementing each other. It was something different than what he had with Audrey.
What I didn't like:
He could be difficult and tempermental--it probably made him difficult to work with. He threw his weight around after achieving success, managing to get control over one of the children's divisions even at the expense of the owner's wife's role in that department.
He fell in love with Audrey while he was married to Helen (and Audrey was married also). It's unclear in this book if they had a sexual affair while both were still married--it seems implied that they might have after Helen committed suicide (while Audrey was seeking her divorce).
That Audrey shipped her daughters off to live with their father after she and Ted got married because she didn't feel Ted was ready to have kids around. (Though he did later develop good relationships with them both apparently.)
Helen apparently committed suicide (reasons behind it only speculated at in this book).
He smoked a lot through his lifetime. In fact, his cancer was possibly attributed to this habit. He also drank often (though not to the level of alcoholism, though his sister apparently suffered from that affliction.)
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LibraryThing member yukon92
Don't like many Dr. Seuss books, but this biography about the man behind the books was great!
LibraryThing member lothiriel2003
It was well written, but I could not finish (very rare with me) as I disliked the man so much. Curious, since I loved his books growing up.
LibraryThing member DonnaMarieMerritt
Hearing negative things about Dr. Seuss? Read this book and then make up your own mind.
Awards
Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction (Longlist — Nonfiction — 2020)