A review by saidtheraina
Syncopated: An Anthology of Nonfiction Picto-Essays by Brendan Burford

5.0

A compliation of nonfiction "picto-essays" - basically nonfiction essays in graphic novel form. There's everything in here from a summary of the history of postcards, to illustration of the gitmo torture documents, to a series of portraits of buskers in the NY subway system. Great range, I wanted more, and couldn't believe it was over when it was. Unique slices of life include the story of Boris Rose, a guy who recorded an incredible collection of radio broadcasts of the great jazz musicians - a collection which has not yet been listened to by anyone but Boris himself (an amazing archive story that makes a librarian just cringe/salivate. A story of adoption from China. A story of chess players in Washington Square Park in Manhattan. It just goes on and on. More please! This is the way I want to read my nonfiction.
(and the first thing I think of are those [a:Larry Gonick|36409|Larry Gonick|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] Cartoon histories and guides, but I think there's a unique strength in the variety of subjects and author/illustrator voices in this approach.)