For sale today is the rare and out-of-print (oop) HarperCollins trade paperback (tpb)/illustrated book/graphic novel Cartoon History of the United States, by Larry Gonick, published in 2005.

  • What? You don't know what a Burgess is? You can't outline the Monroe Doctrine? Recall the 14th Amendment? Explain the difference between a sputnik and a beatnik? Then you need The Cartoon History of the United Statesto to fill those gaps. From the first English colonies to the Gulf War and the S&L debacle, Larry Gonick spells it all out from his unique cartoon perspective. 



I am not an official comics grader, but I try to be as thorough as possible when assessing books for any flaws. I don't believe in using a number grade system - to me they are mostly utilized as a method to be ambiguous about exact condition and/or individual imperfections - but I do attempt to describe anything other than minor cover shelf-scuffing/scratching in detail. If a certain flaw discussed below does not mention that it affects inside pages, then it does not.


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This copy is in good overall reading condition but decent external condition, with a solid spine and very good overall inside pages (photo#18 example). It does have a collection of flaws including one strong outer corner indent and some cover creases of various sizes, although a majority of the flaws are lighter in severity and affect mainly its externals.


**Photo#4: 
-Upper spine corner: Light scuffing around it. Ding where it meets the back cover that causes adjacent ~2" cover indent, shows on ~1/4 pages as a small/light indent.

**Photo#5:
-Lower spine corner:  Light scuffing around it. Small peel where it meets the front cover. Ding where it meets the back cover that causes a light ~1/2" indent around the corner on the back cover and a nearby light ~1" indent - shows on ~1/4 pages as a small/light indent.

**Photo#6: 
-Front cover top edge: Two ~3/4" cover indents/depressions starting adjacent edge's middle, some shelf-scuffing towards the outer corner. 
-Outer corner: ~1" strong indent/scuff/bend (photo#10 w/illumination), goes thru ~12 pages as a strong ~1.5" indent (photo#15), and ~1/4 pages as a smaller/lighter indent that grows lesser as it continues (photos#16, 17).

**Photo#7:
-Front cover bottom edge: 2 small scuffs near the spine corner, with some otherwise light shelf-scuffing/wear along it.
-Outer corner: Two ~2" creases around corner, they show as a light indent on ~30 pages. ~3/4" crease/scuff/bend at corner itself, goes thru ~15 pages as a light indent, and thru ~1/2 as a light bend.

**Photo#8: 
-Back cover top edge: Light shelf-scuffing/wear along it.
-Outer corner: ~2" crease around it (photo#11 w/illumination), goes thru ~5 pages as a light indent, and thru ~1/5 as a light bend. Small scuff/bend at extreme corner. 

**Photo#9:
-Back cover bottom edge: Light shelf-scuffing/wear along it.
-Outer corner: Tiny scuff/bend. 

**Additionally: Front cover has a light ~1.5" crease/depression, and nearby light ~1" and ~1/2" depressions near the top edge (photo#10 w/illumination). Light to very light vertical ~5" crease/depression starting adjacent bottom edge's middle (photo#12 w/illumination). Light vertical ~2" depression near page edge's middle. Back cover possesses a light vertical indent/depression spanning its height near its middle (photo#13 w/illumination). Four small-to-~1" light creases/depressions around cover (also in photo#13). ~1/2" ding with surrounding light ~1.5" crease at page edge (photo#14 w/illumination), shows as a small edge tear and adjacent ~2" indent on 5 pages.

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I both buy to read as well as sell TPBs on here, so I understand how aggravating it is to receive a comic damaged in transit. I always pack any books between pieces of cardboard, with either a bubble or cardboard mailer, or a box for larger lots. If you have any questions or would like any additional photos, feel free to let me know. I'm always happy to try to combine shipping, just message me before purchase! Thanks, and have an amazing day!