Watergate

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-After a preface that notes the need for critical thinking in reading political cartoons, the introduction presents an objective summary of Richard Nixon's presidency. The author is careful to quote the president's supporters as well as his many detractors. The cartoons are organized in three chapters, each beginning with a preface that details the events and personalities depicted. Since Nixon successfully deflected public attention away from the burglary before the 1972 election, the first chapter includes only two pieces of art. Once the scandal broke, cartoonists flooded the press with commentary; the second section includes seven examples, one of which depicts Nixon attacked by the "piranhas" of the press. The third section covers the impeachment, resignation, and aftermath, and similarly reflects the prevailing sentiments of the contemporary press. The cartoons are all from large-circulation, mainstream newspapers, and the editor carefully documents each artist's credentials. There are no other books on this topic for this age group, although many books on Watergate include political cartoons as illustrations. Thus, this book will be useful for students as examples of how political cartoons both reflect and shape political events.-Jonathan Betz-Zall, City University Library, Everett, WA Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.