The Cartoon History of the Universe I by Larry Gonick

This book review of The Cartoon History of the Universe I by Larry Gonick is part of my current TBR.

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I’ve always been interested in history—well, more like interested but not necessarily excited about. If I’m being honest, I didn’t pay much attention to it after high school. History classes were full of dates, wars, and ancient empires that, at the time, felt like they had little to do with my life. But lately, I’ve found myself more and more curious about the past. I’ve been reading a lot about world history this year and trying to piece together the big picture. That’s when I stumbled upon Cartoon History of the Universe Volume 1 by Larry Gonick. A history book in cartoon form? That sounded like it could be fun.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book, though there were a few parts that didn’t land for me. Gonick does a great job of making world history feel more accessible and even fun, but sometimes the humor and the depth of the content lost me. Here’s a closer look at what worked and what didn’t.

Plot Summary

So, here’s the deal: I’ve always liked the idea of history, but it always felt a bit dry to me—until recently. This year, I started reading more and learning about the major events that shaped the world. It started when I picked up a few books about ancient civilizations and realized how much influence the past has on today’s world. I began to see how connected everything is—how the rise and fall of empires, the invention of technologies, and even the ideas of philosophers still affect us. But I still wanted something that would make learning about all this a little more fun.

When I found Cartoon History of the Universe, I figured it was worth checking out. After all, the book claims to cover everything from the Big Bang to the rise of early civilizations in a fun, approachable way. This was just the kind of book I needed to keep me engaged while I learned about everything from the formation of stars to the ancient Egyptians.

Gonick’s style really resonated with me. It’s not like I was reading some boring history textbook—this was a history comic, and that made all the difference. But while I liked most of it, some parts just didn’t hit home for me.

My Review

Strengths

1. Easy-to-Understand History with Lots of Humor

One of the best things about this book is how it breaks down complex history into easy-to-understand bits. Gonick explains everything in a way that makes it feel like you’re just having a conversation about the past, rather than slogging through a textbook. This was a huge plus for me. For example, when he talks about the origins of life and the evolution of the first cells, it didn’t feel like a science lesson—he made it feel like a story. His comics helped me understand what might otherwise be confusing, like how early humans transitioned from hunter-gatherers to settled farmers.

Plus, the humor in this book is on point. Gonick doesn’t just throw dry facts at you—he adds jokes and quirky commentary throughout, which made me chuckle more than I expected. It wasn’t just filler, either. Sometimes the jokes gave a bit of insight into the absurdity of certain events or figures in history. I especially enjoyed how Gonick poked fun at how some of the big historical figures thought about themselves. The art really complements the humor too, making it fun and engaging.

2. Illustrations that Bring History to Life

Another strength of the book is the art. The illustrations are fun and packed with little details that make the history more memorable. For example, the way Gonick draws early humans interacting with their environments helps bring the story to life. The art makes everything more visual and relatable, and sometimes a picture says more than a thousand words. The style might be a bit simple for some, but for me, it helped keep my focus and made the material stick better.

3. Broad Overview of World History

The book is ambitious, covering a ton of ground. It starts from the Big Bang, takes you through the development of life, and then dives into the early rise of human civilizations, like Mesopotamia and Egypt. If you’re someone who wants a general overview of history without feeling too overwhelmed by detail, this book is perfect. It gives you the key events and ideas that helped shape our world in a way that’s not too deep or boring.

4. Makes History Fun

Probably the biggest selling point is how Gonick makes history feel fun and accessible. He doesn’t just aim to teach facts—he wants to make the reader feel like they’re exploring history for themselves. The book makes you laugh, think, and even sometimes shake your head at how weird things were back then. But at the same time, you’re learning, which is a huge win. History isn’t some dry list of facts; it’s alive and full of drama, excitement, and, yes, sometimes ridiculousness. Gonick’s ability to capture that is a big part of what makes the book enjoyable.

Weaknesses

1. Some Jokes Went Over My Head

As much as I enjoyed the humor in Cartoon History of the Universe, there were a few times when the jokes flew over my head. Some of the humor is a bit more niche, especially when it references specific cultural events or figures that I wasn’t familiar with. If you don’t know much about ancient civilizations, some of the jokes might be confusing or just not as funny. It’s not a huge problem, but it did mean I had to skip over a few sections.

2. Greek History Got a Bit Dry

While the early parts of the book, like the chapters on the formation of the Earth and ancient Mesopotamia, were super engaging, I found the Greek history section a bit dry. I get it—Greek history is important and foundational to Western civilization—but it just felt a little dull at times. The endless wars, political dramas, and philosophical debates got repetitive for me, and I found myself zoning out. Maybe it’s just me, but I think that section could have used more excitement. More illustrations of the Greek gods, perhaps? The Greek philosophers could have been drawn in a way that made their debates feel more lively. But that’s ok, I just might be less interested in that time period – or I may not have found it presented yet in the right way or spent enough time immersed in it yet. 

3. Could Use More Detail in Some Areas

The book covers a ton of history, but because it’s a comic, it sometimes glosses over important details. If you’re looking for a super in-depth look at any particular civilization or event, this book won’t give you that. It’s more about giving a broad, high-level overview of history. This works for someone like me who just wants to get the big picture, but if you’re looking for something deeper, you might feel a bit disappointed by how quickly some topics are rushed through.

Who Should Read This Book?

If you’re someone who’s just starting to get into world history, Cartoon History of the Universe is a great place to begin. It’s a fun, engaging way to get a broad overview of the major events and people that shaped the world. Even if you’re already into history, I think you’ll still find the book entertaining. The humor and illustrations make it feel different from a typical history book, so it’s a nice change of pace.

That said, if you’re a history buff who wants a lot of detail and depth, this book might not be for you. It’s more about the big picture and doesn’t go into the nitty-gritty. Also, if you’re someone who isn’t into comics or illustrations, you might not enjoy it as much. The book’s style is really important to its appeal, so if you’re not into that, it might not be the best choice.

Parting Thoughts

In the end, I’m giving Cartoon History of the Universe (Vol 1) 4 out of 5 stars. It’s an entertaining and educational way to dive into world history, and it definitely made me more excited about learning. While there were parts that felt dry (hello, Greek history) and a few jokes I didn’t get, I still really enjoyed it overall. Gonick does a great job of making history feel alive and fun, which is exactly what I needed to keep my interest going.

If you’re looking for a history book that’s light, accessible, and filled with humor, this one’s definitely worth checking out. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great way to start learning about the past without feeling overwhelmed. I’m definitely looking forward to reading Volume 2!

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Thanks for reading my book review of The Cartoon History of the Universe (Vol 1) by Larry Gonick! If you like this review or you would like to see something different in my reviews, please feel free to leave me some feedback!

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About the Author

Larry Gonick is an American cartoonist and author best known for his Cartoon History of the Universe series. He began his career in the 1970s and quickly gained attention for blending humor and education. His most famous work, The Cartoon History of the Universe, is a multi-volume series that covers the history of the world from the Big Bang to modern times. Gonick’s unique style uses cartoons to make complex subjects like science and history more accessible and fun. In addition to his history books, he has also written The Cartoon Guide to Physics and The Cartoon Guide to Algebra. Over the years, Gonick has won multiple awards for his ability to teach through humor and illustrations. His books have become popular in schools and are praised for making learning enjoyable for all ages.