Tim Benson

Like most so-called annual books, this does not cover all of 2022 of course (in order that it would be published late in the year, but in time for Christmas. There is one coloured cartoon per page, starting at the beginning of September 2021 and ending with the last day of August 2022. There is an introductory text, covering some history of political cartoons and, on each page, an explanatory text that puts the cartoon in context. Lots of Boris Johnson, of course, not so much of Liz Truss and missing by just over a week the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.… (meer)

Truly first-rate collection of the World War II work of cartoonist Carl Giles; the big value here is that much of it is composed of his work for Reynolds' News, Giles' first newspaper employer. This work has, as the editor rightly notes, not been seen in since the early 40s. For that matter, while some of the Daily Express work here has shown up in other collections, not all of it has. To top it off, Benson has an excellent introduction which comprises a very interesting short biography, full of a number of surprises. The format, while not identical to the famed Giles Annuals, recalls it, which adds to the pleasure. If you like cartoons, this is a book to have. If you like Giles, this is a must-have.… (meer)