My Life in 'Toons: From Flatbush to Bedrock in Under a Century

by Joseph Barbera

The author recounts his life and career, explains what inspired him to draw animated cartoons, and describes his long partnership with Bill Hanna

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

250 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1994

Reviews

[Dennis Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting light autobiography of a very successfu animator. Many annecdotes, but not a lot of deep analysis of his output.

[Hank Stuever · Rating 4 out of 5]

I flew out to LA in late September 1995 on a speculative trip to write a freelance profile of Hoyt Curtin, the great music composer of the Hanna-Barbera cartoons, whose music was being reissued on Rhino Records.

One of my stops was the old H-B studios for an interview with Joe Barbera, who was very generous with his time and gave me this book, which I still keep (he signed it). Great stories in here for the fans of the H-B oeuvre. Eventually, the cartoons everyone thought were so schlocky became (to some degree) respected classics of American pop culture.

(I'm sorry to say that my profile of Curtin never came to be -- I wrote an essay about Curtin after he died in 2000. He was a really nice man who didn't get nearly enough attention for writing theme songs we can all sing by heart. I took a real bath financially on that trip, and never should have started the article without a firm promise or contract from an editor, but it was worth it just to meet those guys. It's also an important lesson to learn as a writer, that not every story works out, but is still worth making the trip.)

[Mike Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the boomers who came of age in the 60s, and who relished the Saturday morning cartoons, "Toons" is a must. Although written 15 years ago, it sends you on a nostalgic visit with Fred and Wilma Flintstone, George and Jane Jetson and the myriad other characters (remember Magilla Gorilla?) created by the legendary Hanna-Barbera team. Barbera not only talks about these characters, but gives tremendous insight into the inner workings of the high-stakes, cutthroat world of cartoon making.

It's a wonderful look back by this delightfully funny gentleman, and an excellent journey through the victories, defeats, and personal sacrifices that invariably color anyone's life. If you love cartoons, as well as hearing inspirational stories about creative people who truly had an impact on popular culture, by all means check out "My Life in Toons." You will find yourself smiling again and again with each page turn.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book, a few years ago, and loved it! It brought back many happy childhood memories of hours spent watching Hanna-Barbera cartoons.

This is an honest, straight-forward book by a very talented man. If you've ever seen and loved (who hasn't) a Hanna-Barbera cartoon, and wondered what it took to get them on TV, (For instance, it took several tries to make Fred Flintstone a star) then you owe it to yourself to read this book...Enjoy!

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucid,vivid and witty. The best autobiography I've ever read

[Sam Viebrock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fantastic, short read about a life or a man that changed a lot of people in their childhood! He accounts the creating of so many pop culture icons and relevant characters like Yogi Bear, Scooby, the Jetsons and the flintstones! Worth a read! Brought be back to my childhood!

[Dan Blackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book on how Hannah Barbera started. Through the Tom and Jerry cartoons, to Yogi, Huckleberry, Flintstones, Jetsons and other shows. (They did The Banana Splits!) This was interesting since I watched all the shows when I was a kid.

[David E]

"My Life in 'Toons" was a good book. Growing up watching his co-produced/created work on television, the background of those shows was enjoyable to read. Reading such a book as this, there is so much to learn and to reflect upon. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to know something about television animation and of their favorite shows. I am not sure my book would recommend me as it spent some soggy days in my work bag absorbing water and other beverages that got loose in there. A good book to have read. I look forward to adding this book to my valuable friends on my bookshelf.

[Stephen Cravak · Rating 4 out of 5]

One half of the dynamic duo that brought us most of television's iconic animated characters from the '50s to the '80s, Joseph Barbera provides a colorful gloves-off perspective on his life as he rose through the ranks in the animation business. While he may sidestep a tad too far into his obsession with celebrity (neighbors with Zsa Zsa Gabor), it still makes for an interesting read. If you've ever sprawled out on the living room floor and watched Hanna-Barbera cartoons and wondered how they did that, then this book is worth your time.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful biography from the other half of the Hanna Barbera cartoon leviathan. I enjoyed it slightly more than Bill Hanna's fantastic book and Mr Barbera's decency shines through as well as his creativeness and genorisity of spirit. Left me wanting more - the highest recommendation I can give a book.