Schulz and Peanuts

By: David Michaelis

Narrated by: Holter Graham

Charles M. Schulz, the most widely syndicated and beloved cartoonist of all time, is also one of the least understood figures in American culture. Now acclaimed biographer David Michaelis gives us an in-depth biography of the brilliant, unseen man behind Peanuts.

It is the most American of stories: How a barber's son grew up from modest beginnings to realize his dream of creating a newspaper comic strip. How he daringly chose themes never before attempted in mainstream cartoons—loneliness, isolation, melancholy, the unending search for love—always lightening the darker side with laughter and mingling the old-fashioned sweetness of childhood with a very adult and modern awareness of the bitterness of life. And how, using a lighthearted, loving touch, and a cast of memorable characters, he portrayed the struggles that come with being awkward, imperfect, human.

Based on years of research, Schulz and Peanuts is the definitive epic biography of an American icon and the unforgettable characters he created.

©2007 David Michaelis; (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers

Peanuts Characters

When reading the Peanuts cartoons, I often wondered if the characters were in any way developed from children or people Mr. Schulz knew.
It was interesting to learn they were so interrelated with Mr. Schulz' own family and friends.

It was also interesting to read about Mr. Schulz' life.

Remarkable and Memorable

Excellent writing and narration, this journey feels thorough. I gained and lost respect for Mr Schultz at the same time by getting to know his strengths and weaknesses life. I’m better for having experienced this journey.

Not as dark as you've heard

This seemed to me to be a fair and overwhelmingly positive portrait of Schulz. I'm not sure what his kids are upset about--so Dad was generally melancholy and a bit removed. What do they think made him a cartoon genius? And his love for them and for his wives is also quite palpable. The stories about where all the ideas and characters for Peanuts came from are quite entertaining. The story of A Charlie Brown Christmas alone is quite revealing. I was rather disappointed not to hear a bit more about the business end of things--how Peanuts became an industry and how Schultz's characters wound up selling snack cakes and life insurance and all that. There's an amazing business story that's not told here, and the author suggests that that's because Schultz himself sort of let it happen via his surrogates rather than directing it himself. But that seems a bit of a copout. On the other hand, the book is quite long enough, there's no real dross here, so I can't complain too much. Recommended.

Pleasant surprise

I enjoyed learning about a beloved childhood comic strip writer who could never accept his fame or happiness.

Wow!

I started listening to learn a bit more who Sparky Shultz was. Turns out, you get it all. Wow! Very good. Your a good man Charles M. "Sparky" Shultz.