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And the Pursuit of Happiness

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And the Pursuit of Happiness Cover

ISBN13: 9781594202674
ISBN10: 1594202672
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

And the Pursuit of Happiness is beloved artist and author Maira Kalman's yearlong investigation of democracy and how it works. Energized and inspired by the 2008 elections, on inauguration day Kalman traveled to Washington, D.C., launching a national tour that would take her from a town hall meeting in Newfane, Vermont, to the inner chambers of the Supreme Court.

As we follow Kalman's wholly idiosyncratic journey, we fall in love with Lincoln alongside her as she imagines making a home for herself in the center of his magisterial memorial; ponder Alexis de Tocqueville's America; witness the inner workings of a Bronx middle-school student council; take a high-speed lesson in great American women in the National Portrait Gallery; and consider the cost of war to the brave American service families of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The observations she makes as she travels charm and inform, and-as we have come to expect with Kalman-the route is always one of fascinating indirection.

Kalman finds evidence of democracy at work all around us. And the cast of characters we meet along the way is rousing good company, featuring visits from Benjamin Franklin, Eleanor Roosevelt, and many others.

And the Pursuit of Happiness is a remarkable tribute to our history and a powerful reminder of the potential our future holds, from a true national treasure.

Synopsis:

With her trademark style, wit, sensitivity, and spontaneity, Maira Kalman guides a whirlwind tour of American democracy in And the Pursuit of Happiness.

Synopsis:

Energized and inspired by the 2008 elections, celebrated illustrator Maira Kalman traveled to Washington, D.C., launching a year-long investigation of American democracy and its workings. The result is an artist’s idiosyncratic vision of history and contemporary politics.

Whether returning to America’s historical roots at the Lincoln archive and Jefferson’s Monticello, or taking the pulse of the present day at a town hall meeting in Vermont, an Army base in Kentucky, and the inner chambers of the Supreme Court, Kalman finds evidence of democracy at work all around us. Her route is always one of fascinating indirection, but one that captures and shares in hundreds of beautiful, colorful reasons why we  are proud to be Americans.

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About the Author

In her own words: "born. bucolic childhood. culture-stuffed adolescence. played piano. stopped. danced. stopped. wrote. discarded writing. drew. reinstated writing. married Tibor Kalman and collaborated at iconoclastic yet successful design studio. wrote and painted children's books. worried. took up Ping-Pong. relaxed. wrote and painted for many magazines. cofounded the Rubber Band Society. amused. children: two. dog: one."
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 6 comments:
star athena, September 19, 2011 (view all comments by star athena)
A great book sits on my coffee table! Have you seen it?

Originally this collection was presented as a blog series in the New York Times and now as a wonderful book of (mostly) illustrations from Maira Kalman. This book takes you through an entire year's worth of exploring American democracy in imaginative and personal ways.

She falls in love with Abraham Lincoln, for example.

I keep it around and flip through when I need inspiration...Really makes me want to travel to all of these historic landmarks.

Highlight: Kalman visits the Pentagon and writes "I wonder, why does the building have to be as bland and as soulless as a hospital? Have they not seen any James Bond movies? Would it kill them to have some style?"
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Eija, January 27, 2011 (view all comments by Eija)
Maira's artwork and experiences combine for a truly inspiring book, my favorite of 2010!
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purrbot, January 1, 2011 (view all comments by purrbot)
I laughed, I cried, my heart swelled. This book is a dorky, informative, funny, and charming jaunt through the United States early history & Maira Kalman's head. Kalman knows how to tell it like it is, honestly. She shows the human side to things that don't always get that chance. She is fair & just, while maintaining a healthy degree of nerdy & irreverence & sweetness. This book made my year!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781594202674
Author:
Kalman, Maira
Publisher:
Penguin Press
Subject:
Popular Culture - General
Subject:
Social history
Subject:
Essays
Subject:
Political Ideologies - Democracy
Subject:
Popular Culture
Subject:
Politics-Political Science
Edition Description:
Hardback
Publication Date:
20101031
Binding:
HARDCOVER
Grade Level:
from 12
Language:
English
Illustrations:
4-color throughout
Pages:
480
Dimensions:
9.44 x 6.48 x 1.27 in 2.31 lb
Age Level:
17-17
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Related Subjects

Arts and Entertainment » Art » Artists
Arts and Entertainment » Art » Creativity
Arts and Entertainment » Art » Featured Titles
History and Social Science » American Studies » General
History and Social Science » Politics » General
History and Social Science » Politics » Political Science
History and Social Science » Politics » United States » Politics

And the Pursuit of Happiness Used Hardcover
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$29.95 In Stock
Product details 480 pages Penguin Press - English 9781594202674 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by , With her trademark style, wit, sensitivity, and spontaneity, Maira Kalman guides a whirlwind tour of American democracy in And the Pursuit of Happiness.

"Synopsis" by ,

Energized and inspired by the 2008 elections, celebrated illustrator Maira Kalman traveled to Washington, D.C., launching a year-long investigation of American democracy and its workings. The result is an artist’s idiosyncratic vision of history and contemporary politics.

Whether returning to America’s historical roots at the Lincoln archive and Jefferson’s Monticello, or taking the pulse of the present day at a town hall meeting in Vermont, an Army base in Kentucky, and the inner chambers of the Supreme Court, Kalman finds evidence of democracy at work all around us. Her route is always one of fascinating indirection, but one that captures and shares in hundreds of beautiful, colorful reasons why we  are proud to be Americans.
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