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Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography

by David Michaelis (Goodreads Author)

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Ian Quinn said: " Schulz and Peanuts
by David Michaelis
Review by Ian Quinn

Throughout my reading of Schulz and Peanuts by David Michaelis, I began to realize what was happening to me. I had started to look at Charles Schulz as somehow I was acquainted with him. No longe Schulz and Peanuts
by David Michaelis
Review by Ian Quinn

Throughout my reading of Schulz and Peanuts by David Michaelis, I began to realize what was happening to me. I had started to look at Charles Schulz as somehow I was acquainted with him. No longer did he seem like a far away and long gone character. Michaelis takes the reader through the struggles and triumphs of Charles Schulz in his early years, military service, glory days, and dying days.

I liked and appreciated this book not only because of my love for Peanuts, but because of David Michaelis’ selections. Instead of refusing to include low points of Schulz’s life, he elaborates on them. While other authors may try to make the character/person seem less irritating and more modest, Michaelis does the opposite. Michaelis writes about Schulz’s annoyance with other children as a child, and his family’s tendency to undercut each other. David Michaelis lets the reader connect with Schulz’s imperfection and human qualities. Michaelis shows the Schulz before the fame, a Minnesota man with insecurities, hatred, and incompletion.

Michaelis does a superb job with the telling of Charles Schulz’s childhood. First Michaelis introduces Charles’ mother and father. Charles’ mother Dena is portrayed as a character that, while loving to her only child and husband, can be distant, elusive, and mocking. Carl Schulz is depicted as a good father, but always working. Some parts of this section can get dry, but overall it gives the reader a good vision of Charles Schulz's childhood.

To reflect on Schulz's time in the military, Michaelis uses the contrast between Schulz's timid personality and the feel of war to intrigue the reader. He elaborates on the world of uncertainty Schultz was thrown into after he was drafted.

David Michaelis transitions from mainly writing about Schulz to writing about the Peanuts after WW2. He takes the reader into the creation of the characters and the idea behind Peanuts. The continuation of Peanuts is also very well described.

David Michaelis shows his love for Peanuts through this book. A fellow fan should read it as well. ...more "

May 03, 2013 02:06PM · see review