Doonesbury Dossier: The Reagan Years

by G.B. Trudeau

A look at the foibles, follies, and frailties of the Reagan administration at home and abroad as seen through the eyes of the irrepressible characters of "Doonesbury"

Genres: Humor, Comics, Politics, Cartoon, Comic Strips, Graphic Novels, History

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Garretson Beekman "Garry" Trudeau is an American cartoonist, best known for the Doonesbury comic strip. In 1970, Trudeau's creation of Doonesbury was syndicated by the newly formed Universal Press Syndicate. Today Doonesbury is syndicated to almost 1,400 newspapers worldwide and is accessible online in association with Slate Magazine at doonesbury.com. In 1975, he became the first comic strip artist to win a Pulitzer, traditionally awarded to editorial-page cartoonists. He was also a Pulitzer finalist in 1990. He was nominated for an Oscar in 1977 in the category of Animated Short Film, for A Doonesbury Special, in collaboration with John Hubley and Faith Hubley. A Doonesbury Special eventually won the Cannes Film Festival Jury Special Prize in 1978. Other awards include the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) Newspaper Comic Strip Award in 1994, and the Reuben Award in 1995. He was made a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1993. Wiley Miller, fellow comic-strip artist responsible for Non Sequitur, called Trudeau "far and away the most influential editorial cartoonist in the last 25 years." In addition to his work on Doonesbury, Trudeau has teamed with Elizabeth Swados and written plays, such as Rap Master Ronnie and Doonesbury: A Musical Comedy. In 1988, Trudeau joined forces with director Robert Altman for the HBO miniseries Tanner '88 and the Sundance Channel miniseries sequel Tanner on Tanner in 2004. In 1996, Newsweek and The Washington Post speculated that Trudeau wrote the novel Primary Colors, which was later revealed to have been written by Joe Klein. Trudeau wrote the political sitcom Alpha House, starring John Goodman and Bill Murray. The pilot was produced by Amazon Studios and aired in early 2013. Due to positive response Amazon has picked up Alpha House to develop into a full series.

Reviews

[Theo Logos · Rating 4 out of 5]

B.D.: ”This is the greatest can-do country in the world, Bernie. All that emphasis on restraint and conservation was sapping our strength!
That’s the Reagan genius, Bernie — Ronnie understands that sacrifice can be depressing. That’s why he’s giving us low inflation, a strong defense, big tax cuts and a balanced budget ALL at the same time! No one suffers but the poor, and they’re used to it!
It’s almost like a dream, you know?”
Bernie: ”Almost exactly.”

So this is where I first started reading Doonesbury. In 1980 my family subscribed to a newspaper that carried the strip, and I got my introduction to Trudeau’s brand of droll political and cultural humor just in time as Reagan took the reins in America. The Reagan years were rich with material, and Trudeau hit the ground running, with Roland Hedley’s week long special report on Reagan’s brain, and the Gipper’s administration securing the release of the super secret 53rd Iranian hostage — Duke! And of course there was all of Reagan’s folksy storytelling, performative governing style to work with — Let them eat Anecdotes!

[The other John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I've read a Ronald Reagan biography, so it's time to dig into the next Doonesbury collection on my shelf. This one covers 1980 through 1984. In addition to the 1980 election and the first Reagan administration, the collection covers: Zonker's stint on the professional tanning circuit, Mike's campaigning for John Anderson (and meeting J.J.), Honey's testifying against the Gang of Four, Joanie and Rick's marriage and the birth of their son, Mark's father's business adventures under the Reagan administration, and Duke's problems as an ex-hostage and attempt to start a charter boat business.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a Doonesbury fan since the early days I had read most of the daily strips before, but almost all of the Sundays were new to me. However, the satire and irreverence never ages and this was a welcome stroll down memory lane. The gang is all here, with this collection starting with the inauguration of President Reagan. We are treated to Trudeau's take on tanning, on nuclear proliferation, corporate greed, Lamaze classes and even a ship wreck thrown in for good measure. All in all, exactly what you would sign on for in a Dossier of this nature.

Really, a no-brainer. Go for broke!

[Paul Dinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, you'd think reading something from over thirty years ago wouldn't be funny, well then you have never read this. I was in stitches often. Trudeau is a great visual and literary artist who can make someone staring at a TV or radio laugh out loud funny. I am in awe that this old book, mine is falling apart, can be still full of immedaicy. Reagan isn't all that different from the current Trumpublican idiots who keep doubling down on stupid. I loved reading this.

[David]

Read. Many times. Into the 80s with the Doonesbury crew, the last 3 years of their 12-year undergraduate program that survived the 70s. Ronnie Raygun is in the White House and Jeffrey Redfern (ears and all) joins the strip on the last day before Trudeau takes the (then unprecedented) step of going on hiatus for nearly 20 months from the daily strip.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several of these Doonesbury collections and this was my favorite so far. It covers three years of one of the dark spots in American history, three years of the Reagan administration. It does not hold back in showing why these were dark years for America.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cartoon cast of Walden and their relatives and friends and cohort and crazy connections deal with times during the beginning of the Reagan Era. Clever and funny, as always.

[Richard Lehingrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many parallels to a modern carrot headed prez. *****

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Reagan years. 1980. Three years of Doonesbury cartoons start with Reagan winning the election. Joanie pregnant. Boopsie exercising with Jane Fonda. The Rusty Nail sinks. Honey called home to testify against Ms. Mao. Honey rooming with JJ at college. The follies of the Reagan administration are highlighted.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember just barely getting any of this when I found it somewhere in my parent's shelves when I was, like, 13. Now I'd love to go back and read it again with the benefit of hindsight and subsequent political obsessions

[Nicole Diamond · Rating 2 out of 5]

If it has one star I liked it a lot
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing

[Jaina Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, man! I remember reading this when it came out, but I was only 10. Amazing to look back from an adult perspective. This is totally right on!!!

[Beth Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of all of the "Doonesbury" books!

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doonesbury Dossier: The Reagan Years by G. B. Trudeau (Henry Holt & Company 1996)(741.5973). Doonesbury devolves under Reagan. My rating: 6/10, finished 7/10/14.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know what is really happening in American politics: read Doonesbury!