Peter Arno: The Mad, Mad World of The New Yorker's Greatest Cartoonist

Occasionally humourous , (Back to the old drawing board ) , and other gems .Frequently a charicaturist , which I find a little boring .

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about an artist I had vaguely heard of and got to know intimately through this volume. The author leaves no doubt that Arno was quite the character and also arguably America's greatest cartoonist. Along the way we find out how it all started at the New Yorker with him and other artists. I never knew that there were "gag writers". I always thought the artists came up with the ideas. Also, now I know what a top is when I read the New Yorker. Sad that Arno died young, he could have left even more of his funny legacy behind. The author did a very good job in researching the subject, even tracking down his last companion (that's an interesting tale too). The listing of what 50 of his peers thought of him is a fitting ending to the volume. Well done!

A terrific biography of Arno, rightfully called The New Yorker's greatest cartoonist, and perhaps its greatest artist. Author Michael Maslin, also a wonderful cartoonist for The New Yorker, takes the reader through Arno's sometimes tumultuous association with the magazine from its early years through the 1960s. As the author notes, Arno's confident line and incomparable use of ink washes created an almost theatrical image in black, white, and shades of gray. Arno was a character of his times, and Maslin brings to life the era of speakeasies and New York high society. And what a time it was, when cartoonists (or at least a top cartoonist) could live like kings and magazines like The New Yorker were begging for cartoons.

well researched and fully documented biography that records the history of cartoon art by an American artist and innovator from his early cartoons at prep school and college and defining cartoonist of the New Yorker.

A wonderful examination of the life of cartoonist Peter Arno who not only played a part in shaping the art form of the single panel cartoon but the New Yorker magazine itself.It's filled with previously unknown detail on Arno, a participant in and great satirizer of Cafe' Society. A must for any fan of New Yorker cartoons.

I inherited an Arno book from my grandmother which came from my grandfather's collection. I always found the cartoon humor very witty. This book is NOT a collection of Arno art, but instead a brilliant biography of the artist. This is my favorite book so far this year.

Interesting subject who deserves a better-written book. Does the publisher (Regan Arts) employ an editor? There are factual mistakes and inconsistencies, sometimes from one page to the next. Although the author does include a good number of Arno's cartoons, he often does not include those he mentions as particularly noteworthy, leaving the reader to scramble to find the cartoon in question in some other source. This book has the germ of an entertaining addition to the library of New Yorker themed volumes, but it needs work.

Great story! Extremely well researched and written by The New Yorker cartoonist Michael Maslin! Well done!!!

It was so great to learn more about one of the most important cartoonists of the 2oth century. And to have the book written by a fellow New Yorker cartoonist adds another level of insight. Terrific stuff.