This work, created by Brazilian artist Belmonte, contains a collection of cartoons that cover mainly the events of World War II. Belmonte became known through the political and social cartoons published in major newspapers and magazines between the 1920s and the 1940s. Although unknown in a major part of the world (including Brazil), his works are among the most interesting and unique of its kind. This book aims to rescue the memory of this great artist, prematurely deceased in 1947, at age 50, to portray the greatest scourge created by human race for their own use and also inspire illustration and history lovers.

Whether producing strips, social comment in magazines like Punch or Lilliput, savage caricature of allies and enemies, or a daily chronicle of events at home or abroad, little escaped the cartoonists pen during World War II and they encapsulated the great dramas in a way impossible in prose. This book is divided into chapters covering the war year-by-year, each chapter prefaced with a concise introduction that provides a historical framework for the cartoons of that year. Altogether some 300 cartoons, in color and black and white, have been skillfully blended to produce a unique record of World War II.

This new approach to the history of the Second World War, first published in 1990, examines the events of this period through the cartoons of the day. Roy Douglas explains the messages behind the humour and reveals that the perception of war differed radically from country to country. This collection highlights the importance of the media in this global war. ‘An authoritative narrative about what inspired the artists to take to their pens and papers... By putting it all into perspective, the poignancy, and often the brilliance of the political cartoonist is shown to the reader... Douglas’s historical narrative adds to the enjoyment.’ West Coast Review of Books ‘Douglas’s valuable book uses the political cartoon as historical mirror... The book is very important for its attempt to correlate visual media with national policy at a crucial period in recent history.’ Choice

In peacetime cartoonists are a diverse collection of individuals with their own styles and projects, but when the trumpets of war blow it is like unleashing the dogs of war. Hitler, Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt and Mussolini were a gift for them and, as this collection shows, one they weren't about to turn down. This book shows that humour was one of the key weapons of war, with countries using cartoons to demoralise their opponents and maintain morale. Each country had its own style: the British liked understatement, showing people drinking cups of tea while bombs fell, whilst the Germans chose Churchill serving up a cocktail of blood, sweat and tears to an emaciated and sickly British lion. Showcasing the very best cartoons from Britain, the USA, Germany, Russia plus the work of all of WWII's greatest cartoonists, including Bill Mauldin, Fougasse, Emett, David Low and Graham Laidler (Pont), this book is guaranteed to make you laugh.

This book is a brilliant collection of cartoons from Britain, the United States, Germany, and Russia. It contains the work of all of World War II's greatest cartoonists, including Bill Mauldin, Fougasse, Emett, David Langdon, and Graham Laidler.