About the Book

A fully illustrated graphic adaptation that offers a new look at the Gettysburg Address, the bloody battle that prompted it, and the Civil War

Most of us can recall "Four score and seven years ago," but much of what we know about this historic speech, and what it has to say about the Civil War itself, has been lost since we left grade school.

The Gettysburg Address offers a revolutionary way to experience Lincoln's masterwork. Striking at the underlying meaning of Lincoln's words, it uses the Address to tell the whole story of the Civil War. We see how bitter seeds sown by the Founding Fathers sprouted into a bloody war, and ultimately blossomed into the progress and justice of the Civil Rights era. The book depicts pivotal events that led to the upheaval of the secession crisis, the crucial Battle of Gettysburg, and the conflict's still-unfolding legacy with firsthand accounts from Americans from all walks of life: slaves, soldiers, citizens, and, of course, Abraham Lincoln himself—the most transformational president in U.S. history.

Writer Jonathan Hennessey and illustrator Aaron McConnell illuminate history with vibrant, detailed graphics and captions that will give you a fresh understanding of this vital speech, which defined America's most tragic war and marked a new path forward.

Critical Praise

“An excellent work. … Not a simplification but a detailed and nuanced analysis of Lincoln’s famous speech” — Library Journal (starred review)

“Engaging, provocative and deftly nuanced. ... This second collaboration by Hennessey and McConnell again finds them probing the implications of history through incisive analysis and compelling art.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Aaron McConnell’s illustrations are brilliant in their effectiveness of depicting complex themes and ideas in discernable ways. The style is reminiscent of the political cartoons of yore and his use of iconography is clever and informative.” — Chris Wilson, The Graphic Classroom

Praise for The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation: “The coolest thing since Schoolhouse Rock.” — Rachel Maddow

“A sweet, quick, thoroughgoing history of the U.S. Constitution . . . You’d be hard-pressed to find a better primer for bringing the kids, foreigners and forgetful in your life up to speed.” — Cory Doctorow

“Intelligently written, lushly illustrated . . . Hennessey interweaves the Framers’ intent with contemporary battles over constitutional law, while McConnell colors history with masterful strokes. A civics lesson no one should miss.” — Village Voice (A Best Book of 2008)

“Avoiding the didactic, the book succeeds in being both consistently entertaining and illuminating . . . A fine introduction to U.S. legal history.” — Publishers Weekly

“Before Obama is sworn in as the next U.S. president in January, let Hennessey and McConnell’s The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation be your refresher course.” — Charles Moss, PopMatters

“[A] must-read graphic novel treatment of the history, meaning and evolution of the United States Constitution. It should be a staple of every high school history class.” — Jonathan Valania, Phawker

“We the people can now appreciate our nation’s founding document unpacked into easy-to-follow explanations enriched with stick-in-your-mind visuals . . . A surprising and effective accomplishment; highly recommended for all collections. Buy multiples for kids, teens, and adults.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“A stellar nonfiction graphic novel. ... McConnell’s detailed and highly textured art. ... shows the variety of class-based, racial, and historical perspectives creating the mismatched lenses through which Americans view their own history.” — Booklist

“A very nuanced historical argument…” — Slate Political Gabfest

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Product Details

• ISBN: 9780062316332
• ISBN 10: 0062316338
• Imprint: William Morrow Paperbacks
• On Sale: 08/13/2013
• Pages: 224
• List Price: $7.99
• BISAC1 : COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Reference
• BISAC2 : HISTORY / Military / United States
• BISAC3 : HISTORY / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)
• BISAC4 : COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / General
• BISAC5 : COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Nonfiction / General