The PreHistory of The Far Side®

I don't really know much about Gary Larson. He's not like Bill Watterson (i.e. a recluse), but he really doesn't show up on a day to day basis, especially not after he's retired from his comic strip. There is a 20/20 interview with him from the 1980s on youtube, but I've never really gotten to examine his personality until I read this collection. And hotdog, did I enjoy reading it!The PreHistory of the Far Side is a collection Gary put together on the 10th Anniversary of his globally loved comic strip, The Far Side. In it, he talks about how and when he got into comics ("You're sick! But I love your work!"), his view of comedy, particular strips that were milestones for him ("Cow Tools") and, my favorite part, the comics that offended people with some hate mail printed next to them.I love comics and I always have, especially unique comics strips modeled for the newspaper, but I haven't laughed this hard at a comic collection since I was a child. Gary seems to me like a meek and mild-mannered character with a love of Biology (especially the gross/disturbing parts) but with a very grotesque and incisive sense of humor. With that in mind, it was fantastic to read some of his greatest hits (that we've all seen before), then read reactions/events behind the hits, then read his reaction to those reactions/events behind the hits and so on.If you're a hardcore Far Side fan, buy this book. If you've gotten a single Far Side greeting card in your life, buy this book. It's hilarious and you won't regret owning it. For those that have purchased the recent "Complete Far Side" boxed set collection, that collection doesn't touch on some of the stories that Gary touches on in this book, so buy this book as well!

As expected

I purchased a copy as a gift for my Father's 60th birthday. I remember fingering through the vast collection of comics my dad had when I was a child. Garfield, Calvin and Hobbes and The Far Side. I believe many were lost to time, moving and the occasional yard sale. We video chatted right after it was delivered. He was elated to see an oldie but goodie. One of his absolute favorites, he said. It's nice to feel the nostalgia it brought back.

Garson is either a genius or he's really messed up in the head.

I loved reading how this great cartoonist came to be! And the inspiration for his creations! And of course, what a joy to have all these great cartoons! I laughed aloud at many. I love that he shows original sketches alongside the published ones-very interesting. If you love The Far Side you have to have this book!!!

I was first introduced to The Farside as a child, my mother happened to own this very book; at the time I believed the photograph on the back to actually include the author. Sometimes, I still wonder--A joy filled with humor that hits the spot with all age ranges, The Far Side is an excellent gift, coffee table edition, and the perfect book to grab on a cloudy day. Each page contains something that leaves the reader either in complete disbelief, tears, or msniacal laughter. If you are interested in Gary Larson's work, this is the place to start, a purchase you will not regret.

This is Collette aka Coco Mojo speakin', and I just bought this book (again) from Amazon, after giving away my copy to a needy bloke.Here's a valuable nugget of wisdom gleaned from this particular book: Next time I see cacti at the North Pole, I'm gonna make myself a Tequila Sunrise -- on ICE!Yes -- I've learned a lot of valuable "dos and don'ts," by perusing Larson's survival manuals! (Don't leave home without them!!!)CASE IN POINT: Never again will I pick up random strips of (what appears to be) toilet paper off a public bathroom stall floor to employ on my privates -- you never know WHO it might be ATTACHED to!! (This refers to the unraveling MUMMY that might be sitting on the pot in an adjacent stall!)

I gave this to my 40 year old son. He usually received the Farside calendar for Christmas as he was growing up so this was perfect for him.

As this book's title and subtitle indicate, it describes the first 10 years of the famous cartoon series the Far Side by Gary Larson. Of course the cartoons are weird and wonderful as you would expect, but the textual annotations of the author add a lot of interesting context and background.

For fans of the Far Side, and there are many I know, this book makes essential reading. That is an overused and often distracting expression but, in this case, I assure you it's fitting.This is basically Larson's explanation of how it started, the things that went wrong, and then right, and the hiccups along the way. With lots of absolute classic Far Side strips explained and exposed, and plenty more you won't have seen, with pretty funny explanations of why, this is a veritable treasure trove.Buy it and give yourself not only a great read, but also a fine reason to go back and read the rest of the books and galleries again.

Gary Larson is a conceptual artist, a genius one. This is his best collection and there is also a good bit of info about him and his work. I bought more copies of this book than of any other in my life and I am pretty sure that I will buy again.

The writer and artist of the bizarre comics comments and raises issues from his own wry observations on the unusual things in life. Both the cartoons and the comments are great but there is also food for thought.

Amazing value for money, love the book, would highly recommend