Humor's Edge: Cartoons by Ann Telnaes

Humor's Edge is the first book to explore the brilliant work of Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes. A compendium of more than 85 of Telnaes's most important and remarkable works from 1996 to 2004, Humor's Edge reveals the depth of Telnaes' convictions about issues at the core of public life, from presidential politics to international women's rights. These full-color and black-and white cartoons are accompanied by descriptions of the social and political context of the issues addressed, along with an introduction by acclaimed cartoonist Ben Sargent, an essay by Martha H. Kennedy, an in-depth interview by Library of Congress curator Harry Katz.

A tireless indignation powers Telnaes’ streamlined drawings. She takes on the important and complex issues of the day, distilling their essence and expressing her sense of humor and her sense of justice—and injustice. No one and no thing is spared, whether Washington pols, international bullies, or "sacred" societal institutions, but she also celebrates human resilience. Bringing a humorous yet cutting original spirit to her art, Ann Telnaes sheds a distinctive light on contemporary issues.