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Bernie
Now a NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, Bernie is the must-have guidebook to the Bernie Sanders campaign -- and the uncompromising candidate behind it. Insightful, funny, and accessible, this biography-in-graphic-novel-form of the presidential candidate explains both his early life and political rise, but also shows the broader political shift that made it possible for a Jewish socialist to rally voters and become a real presidential contender.
Political cartoonist and Kennedy Award winner Ted Rall interviewed Bernie Sanders at length for this book and delved deep into his background to create this one-of-a-kind biography.
Sanders' upbringing in a struggling working-class family in a hardscrabble section of Brooklyn during the 1950s taught him that poverty is a disease, one that affects us all. Incredibly, the lessons he learned back then are revolutionizing the political process this year, marking the resurgence of political progressivism on the left at the same time as the two-party system seems to be on the way out. From McGovern’s 1972 loss to Nixon to the Occupy movement, Rall shows readers exactly how the American public was primed to embrace a socialist calling for a political revolution.
Political cartoonist and Kennedy Award winner Ted Rall interviewed Bernie Sanders at length for this book and delved deep into his background to create this one-of-a-kind biography.
Sanders' upbringing in a struggling working-class family in a hardscrabble section of Brooklyn during the 1950s taught him that poverty is a disease, one that affects us all. Incredibly, the lessons he learned back then are revolutionizing the political process this year, marking the resurgence of political progressivism on the left at the same time as the two-party system seems to be on the way out. From McGovern’s 1972 loss to Nixon to the Occupy movement, Rall shows readers exactly how the American public was primed to embrace a socialist calling for a political revolution.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2016
11 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Ted Rall
47Ìýbooks91ÌýfollowersTed Rall is a prominent left-leaning American political columnist, syndicated editorial cartoonist, and author. He draws cartoons for the news site WhoWhatWhy.org and the email newsletter Counterpoint, and writes for The Wall Street Journal opinion pages.
His political cartoons often appear in a multi-panel comic-strip format and frequently blend comic-strip and editorial-cartoon conventions.
The cartoons appear in approximately 100 newspapers around the United States. He is a former President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and twice the winner of the RFK Journalism Award.
He is the author of 20 books.
His political cartoons often appear in a multi-panel comic-strip format and frequently blend comic-strip and editorial-cartoon conventions.
The cartoons appear in approximately 100 newspapers around the United States. He is a former President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and twice the winner of the RFK Journalism Award.
He is the author of 20 books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
February 8, 2017
This is a comics biography about U.S. politician Bernie Sanders, and it's also an interesting look at the history of the Democratic Party in the last 40 years.
I picked up Ted Rall's book on Sanders because I had enjoyed his previous work on Edward Snowden. (Rall has another comics bio coming out later this summer on Donald Trump. That should be fun!)
Putting aside my gleefulness at seeing Rall's drawings of the orange-faced and pompadoured Mr. Trump, let's focus on the current book under discussion. Bernie Sanders is a U.S. Senator from Vermont who campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2016 election. Sanders, who considers himself a democratic socialist, gained a following from those disenchanted with the more mainstream members and platform of the Democratic party. Rall opens his book with this passage from Sanders:
The book then jumps back to 1972 to review how the ideals of the Democratic party have shifted to the center (as in, more conservative) over the decades. In Rall's view, this political tactic has abandoned the more liberal folks of the party, some of whom voted for third-party candidates in presidential elections. (Perhaps the most famous example of this was Green Party candidate Ralph Nader, who was accused of "spoiling" the 2000 election for Al Gore by taking his votes, thus making way for George W. Bush). Moving forward, Rall thinks the Great Recession of 2008 and movements like 2011's Occupy Wall Street helped pave the way for the Sanders campaign, showing that there was support for a more liberal candidate.
The first half of the book covers this history of the Democrats, and the second half is a brief biography of Sanders. We meet his parents and see his working-class upbringing in Brooklyn. We see how Sanders got his start in politics and a small bit about his family life. However, Sanders doesn't reveal a lot of information about himself to the press, and this biographical section felt slight. I finished the book feeling like I didn't learn much about the man.
What I did enjoy was the political history, which reminded me of some events I'd forgotten and put them in a different light. I'd recommend this to those who want a quick read about liberal politics, but if you want a detailed biography on Sanders, you might have to wait until the man decides to write his own.
Highlighted Passage
"America isn't poor. There's always money for war: to invade Afghanistan, to invade Iraq, to build so many new military bases that � it's true � even the Pentagon might not know how many there are. What there isn't is money for average people. Unemployment benefits run out after a few months. After those paltry assistance payments end, it's your tough luck, your problem. If you're jobless or poor, you are on your own. There's no money to fix infrastructure, even though bridges are collapsing and the nation's train systems have been eclipsed by those of third world nations. No money for schools, or teachers, or veterans, or job training. Millions of people are angry. As history shows, oppressed masses won't forever suffer in silence. It's only a matter of time before the deluge."
I picked up Ted Rall's book on Sanders because I had enjoyed his previous work on Edward Snowden. (Rall has another comics bio coming out later this summer on Donald Trump. That should be fun!)
Putting aside my gleefulness at seeing Rall's drawings of the orange-faced and pompadoured Mr. Trump, let's focus on the current book under discussion. Bernie Sanders is a U.S. Senator from Vermont who campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2016 election. Sanders, who considers himself a democratic socialist, gained a following from those disenchanted with the more mainstream members and platform of the Democratic party. Rall opens his book with this passage from Sanders:
In America today, what we are seeing is the disappearance of the great middle class. Meanwhile, almost all of the new income, all of the new wealth, is going to the top 1% ... We need an economy that works for working people, not a handful of billionaires. If we are going to transform America, if we are going to have a government that represents working families and not large campaign donors, we need a political revolution in this country. The people of our country understand that given the collapse of the American middle class ... we do not need more establishment politics or establishment economics.
The book then jumps back to 1972 to review how the ideals of the Democratic party have shifted to the center (as in, more conservative) over the decades. In Rall's view, this political tactic has abandoned the more liberal folks of the party, some of whom voted for third-party candidates in presidential elections. (Perhaps the most famous example of this was Green Party candidate Ralph Nader, who was accused of "spoiling" the 2000 election for Al Gore by taking his votes, thus making way for George W. Bush). Moving forward, Rall thinks the Great Recession of 2008 and movements like 2011's Occupy Wall Street helped pave the way for the Sanders campaign, showing that there was support for a more liberal candidate.
The first half of the book covers this history of the Democrats, and the second half is a brief biography of Sanders. We meet his parents and see his working-class upbringing in Brooklyn. We see how Sanders got his start in politics and a small bit about his family life. However, Sanders doesn't reveal a lot of information about himself to the press, and this biographical section felt slight. I finished the book feeling like I didn't learn much about the man.
What I did enjoy was the political history, which reminded me of some events I'd forgotten and put them in a different light. I'd recommend this to those who want a quick read about liberal politics, but if you want a detailed biography on Sanders, you might have to wait until the man decides to write his own.
Highlighted Passage
"America isn't poor. There's always money for war: to invade Afghanistan, to invade Iraq, to build so many new military bases that � it's true � even the Pentagon might not know how many there are. What there isn't is money for average people. Unemployment benefits run out after a few months. After those paltry assistance payments end, it's your tough luck, your problem. If you're jobless or poor, you are on your own. There's no money to fix infrastructure, even though bridges are collapsing and the nation's train systems have been eclipsed by those of third world nations. No money for schools, or teachers, or veterans, or job training. Millions of people are angry. As history shows, oppressed masses won't forever suffer in silence. It's only a matter of time before the deluge."
February 3, 2016
Short and to the point I really love this book. Ted Rall does a great job, as he often does, with explaining things, keeping them simple, and showing a decent background to promote understanding. This is an excellent book for anyone who wants a quick (30 minute read for me) look into Bernie Sanders' background, along with a fun item for any Bernie fans. I'll be passing mine on to someone who's just about convinced!
January 30, 2019
When did the Democratic Party become a watered down version of itself and "Republican lite?" Look as far back as the Carter Administration. In addition offering a brief history of the general neoliberal takeover of the Democratic Party, this fine little graphic novel traces the rise to prominence of a man who defied all expectations and "political wisdom" to give Hillary Clinton a run for her money in 2016. Highly recommended.
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March 21, 2016
This was a great nonfiction graphic novel - along the lines of an infographic, just in book form. I appreciate that the author included a history of the Democratic party in the twenty and twenty-first centuries, since it shows just how right the party has moved over time.
We get Bernie Sanders' history, and how his past has lead to the political beliefs and stances he has today. I would totally recommend this to anyone that wants more info about Bernie himself, or those that need a quick-fire intro to the modern Democratic party (and how it differs from some liberal beliefs).
We get Bernie Sanders' history, and how his past has lead to the political beliefs and stances he has today. I would totally recommend this to anyone that wants more info about Bernie himself, or those that need a quick-fire intro to the modern Democratic party (and how it differs from some liberal beliefs).
June 15, 2018
Great graphical biography that makes me want to be a better person.
Hope to fill this review in a little more later, but for now - regardless of his politics, Ted Rall's biography of Bernie Sanders makes you want to be a better person.
Our current leadership - on both sides, but particularly the execrable leadership in charge - currently brings out the worst in people.
Not Bernie. You might not agree with him, but his dignity shines through. Just incredible.
Hope to fill this review in a little more later, but for now - regardless of his politics, Ted Rall's biography of Bernie Sanders makes you want to be a better person.
Our current leadership - on both sides, but particularly the execrable leadership in charge - currently brings out the worst in people.
Not Bernie. You might not agree with him, but his dignity shines through. Just incredible.
September 11, 2024
Great book...worth reading over the rest of the summer. I really do think that Bernie Sanders is one of the most honest politicians in the US today. He seems to me to be very focused on the needs of his constituents. I would really like to see him 'tapped' by someone to be Secretary of Education. But I doubt that will ever happen.
March 6, 2017
I gave this 3 stars when I would have given it 5 stars. It was well written , informative, and I adore Bernie. My problem is that it portrays Hillary Clinton as only relevant because of the men in her life (Bill, Obama) which is in my opinion, frustratingly sexist and reductive.
January 26, 2019
compulsively readable if, in a few key instances, this causes the narrative to be noticeably light on explanation. Bernie supporters, I imagine, will largely eat it up, and Bernie haters will ignore it. more interesting to me, and a question I don't really have an answer to, is how this would move someone who identifies as a democrat but is on the fence for a candidate in 2016. Brings us right up to Iowa, so you have this out now to drum up voter support and not just tell Sanders's story, which would be done more thoroughly AFTER the election. that's kairos, sucka!
May 25, 2016
I give this a solid 4 stars because it was very informative and also the drawings were done well. The information was portrayed in a way that excited me about Mr. Sanders and what he represents. I am glad to have read this book so that I know more about him than what the mainstream media says. The reason I don't give it 5 stars is that there were some shifts in tense that did not make much sense in some parts. I loved the story and the drawings. I would say this is a book everyone interested in the political race should read!
May 2, 2016
This book not only deems Bernie Sanders a prophet, but also declares that Hillary Clinton is only relevant because of the men (Obama and her husband) who put her there. I'm sorry, that does not sit well with me. 2 stars because there were some informative points on history/politics.
March 4, 2016
This is an extremely short read that provides a great amount of information on Bernie's life and political career, but that's not all, almost half the book give a history lesson on the falling of the "Lefty Democrats" and how Bernie is the one who is going to bring it back. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in this book about the self-proclaimed "democratic socialist" or anyone interested in the 2016 election.
March 11, 2016
Quick, informative, enjoyable, and easy to read in a way that only comics are capable of. Ted Rall's biography of Bernie Sanders begins by explaining the history of our current political climate, then shows us window into Bernie's life and political career, and ultimately leaves us hanging at the end with he revolution unresolved. I suppose I can forgive Rall for this considering the timing of the book.
March 26, 2016
I was anticipating a lite read on Bernie's life and politics, more than likely a refresher for me at this point, but there's more to this book. While Rall has the book in an easy-to-read and attractive format, the book is dense with great information about American politics in general, the left in particular. Rall's primary point seems to be that, regardless of the election outcome, Bernie Sanders is helping to change American politics for the better.
April 25, 2016
I wish I had read this earlier. The first hundred pages really sets up the history of the two party system in America and where the modern Democratic Party has ended up - to the right of Republicans like Richard Nixon!!!! When you start talking drones and NSA instead of the New Deal it really makes a person think. Great to get more background and I really liked reading about Bernie as a young student participating in sports and student government. I appreciate his consistency in life.
June 28, 2017
The art tends to be a lot of talking heads - appropriate for a book about politics! - but I also appreciated the rare photos of Bernie in his younger days. It's simultaneously hopeful and uplifting, with a tale of how the progressive movement is returning to politics, and depressing in hindsight, as the momentum and political backing just aren't there for the policies people actually need any more.
January 30, 2016
Good introduction to Sanders, and a good review of the last 50-odd years of the Democratic Party. It makes a good case that nominating Sanders would mean a move towards issues and away from personality. We'll see if it works out.
January 31, 2016
I loved the first 2/3 of the book--great history of the Democratic Party and Bernie's early days. I would have preferred that the coverage of his run for president be less biased. Bernie's message speaks for itself.
March 2, 2016
A very quick read and gave me all the background I was looking for about Bernie. Illustrations are great and the trim size makes this book easy to carry around. I hope Rall takes on other subjects in the format.
March 22, 2016
Solid introduction to the man and his politics. Rall is very left-wing, though, so I tried to keep that in mind when I read this and his Snowden biography. Both provide very valuable perspectives, nevertheless.
June 9, 2016
Very informative. Makes history fun to read about. Helpful resource. Very quick read, but I had to put it down to finish a few others first . . . I also liked the size. It fits in the hand & in a backpack or purse so easily.
February 9, 2016
more modern political history than Bernie biography, but so, so good...a one sitting gem
March 23, 2017
A good primer not only on Bernie's personal history, but also on why the Democrats keep moving right
February 24, 2018
Loved it!
November 9, 2018
A look into the senator from Vermont.
May 2, 2016
The author does a good job at painting the history of Bernie Sanders's life and personal political influences. Further, he provides a nice account of how the left became marginalized since the 1930s and how Bernie took part in the social revolutions of the 1960s. I think he ends, though, with a cynical note: "If Bernie tunes lame, or stays true and loses the nomination or the election, the hundreds of thousands of voters who turned out will never do so again" (190). I don't think so. While I may posses Bernie's idealism (forgive me), I believe this is a significant movement that will shape the course of history for the next few generations. Trying to make changes from the "inside" is probably the only way to do it and seem semi-credible. Bernie has demonstrated he can make progressive changes in his state and city. What has Trump (a pure "outsider") done besides fund his own campaign (as part of the 1%) and offend half of the country?
And Snowden (while I agree he was heroic) still had to assimilate himself "inside" the system to make significant changes. I'm sure many people think Bernie is just as much of a "rebel" as you think of Snowden. What about his independent party status? That is being a rebel to the entire system of modern politics!
So, yes Mr. Rall, "Bernie would hate to see" his voters disappear after this election (191), and while "avoiding such a dismal outcome" may be difficult during this election, it will have a lasting impact. I wouldn't be so quick to assume it will all end and go immediatley back to the status quo if Bernie loses. This "revolution" is national.
And Snowden (while I agree he was heroic) still had to assimilate himself "inside" the system to make significant changes. I'm sure many people think Bernie is just as much of a "rebel" as you think of Snowden. What about his independent party status? That is being a rebel to the entire system of modern politics!
So, yes Mr. Rall, "Bernie would hate to see" his voters disappear after this election (191), and while "avoiding such a dismal outcome" may be difficult during this election, it will have a lasting impact. I wouldn't be so quick to assume it will all end and go immediatley back to the status quo if Bernie loses. This "revolution" is national.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2016
Of all the major party candidates in my lifetime, there has been none who have come as close to my politics as he has. I voted for him in my state’s primary. But I’m not passionate for him. I guess it’s the thing of having to be pragmatic and running in the two-party system that makes me mad. The electoral system is so rotten that even a sitting senator has to run within the party system to get media coverage and that weird circular legitimacy. Where you’re not important if you don’t have coverage and you can’t get coverage if you’re not important.
And I like Ted Rall’s work, so this book is right up my alley. Most of it is a biography of Bernard, but it starts out with a long gloss on the history of politics for the last 40 years or so. Rall’s trying to make the case towards someone like me, who is sympathetic but has doubts. Like I said, I voted for Bernie, but I haven’t volunteered or give him any money. Maybe I’m just being too cynical. Maybe this will start a movement, or maybe the Republicans will win with Ted in the fall and the Democratic insiders will make the argument that the party needs more pre-surrenders on policy positions preferred by the far left.
And I like Ted Rall’s work, so this book is right up my alley. Most of it is a biography of Bernard, but it starts out with a long gloss on the history of politics for the last 40 years or so. Rall’s trying to make the case towards someone like me, who is sympathetic but has doubts. Like I said, I voted for Bernie, but I haven’t volunteered or give him any money. Maybe I’m just being too cynical. Maybe this will start a movement, or maybe the Republicans will win with Ted in the fall and the Democratic insiders will make the argument that the party needs more pre-surrenders on policy positions preferred by the far left.
July 16, 2016
So I already read earlier this year, and when I saw this on the shelf at the library I just had to read it. It contains the same bias from the same author who holds the same political views that he did in that book.
But this is about the democratic party and Bernie Sanders. So, win win. A very simplistic and quick look at the shifting ideologies of the democratic party in the past century, focused on the past 50 years or so. And kind of a hopeful look towards America's potential political future. It has surprisingly little about Sanders. I mean, I didn't learn anything new about him that mattered. Definitely the learning bits for me were of the democratic party and party politics surrounding American politics. Whew, it's as boggly as it sounds.
Unfortunately, as I finished this the news was reporting his (Sanders) endorsement for Hillary as the democratic nominee. I still love you Bernie, but somehow you're before your time. *insert cat hanging from clothesline picture here* Hang in there Bernie, hang in there.
But this is about the democratic party and Bernie Sanders. So, win win. A very simplistic and quick look at the shifting ideologies of the democratic party in the past century, focused on the past 50 years or so. And kind of a hopeful look towards America's potential political future. It has surprisingly little about Sanders. I mean, I didn't learn anything new about him that mattered. Definitely the learning bits for me were of the democratic party and party politics surrounding American politics. Whew, it's as boggly as it sounds.
Unfortunately, as I finished this the news was reporting his (Sanders) endorsement for Hillary as the democratic nominee. I still love you Bernie, but somehow you're before your time. *insert cat hanging from clothesline picture here* Hang in there Bernie, hang in there.
January 29, 2016
A friend recently introduced me to the work of Ted Rall, and I loved his graphic biography, Snowden. It was great! And now comes Bernie! The book provides an overview of the course/death of liberalism in the U.S. and the plight of what Wellstone and Dean called the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party. It’s fun to read. And no matter what happens in the next few months, I hope everyone gets to “feel the Bern.� This is a great start.
A couple of choice bits:
“I’ll tell you why [I’m tight-lipped about my personal life]. What we have in this country is looking at politics as if it were a soap opera or a baseball game. . . . �
“George W. Bush is a decent guy. Good sense of humor. He is a good family guy. He is a fun guy. His wife is a very nice person. He was the worst president in the modern history of America! To the degree that you focus on his personality, then you are minimizing what democracy is supposed to be about.�
A couple of choice bits:
“I’ll tell you why [I’m tight-lipped about my personal life]. What we have in this country is looking at politics as if it were a soap opera or a baseball game. . . . �
“George W. Bush is a decent guy. Good sense of humor. He is a good family guy. He is a fun guy. His wife is a very nice person. He was the worst president in the modern history of America! To the degree that you focus on his personality, then you are minimizing what democracy is supposed to be about.�
March 17, 2016
The most interesting part wasn't about Bernie--I knew most of that from a few magazine articles. Sanders doesn't like to talk about himself. Rall notes that this isn't because he's hiding something. No one who's been in politics as long as Bernie could hide anything significant. It's that Sanders is incredibly principled, and he thinks politics should be about politics, not personalities. He's quoted saying George Bush is a very likeable guy, but that doesn't matter. He was an awful president.
The most interesting part was the history of the Democratic Party during Bernie's lifetime. I'd forgotten how questionable Carter's presidency was because Carter turned out to be one of our best ex-Presidents. I hadn't really followed the machinations of the conservative Democrats to take over the party. So I learned a few things, and reevaluated a few more.
It's a quick read. I might've given it 4.5 stars if that'd been an option.
The most interesting part was the history of the Democratic Party during Bernie's lifetime. I'd forgotten how questionable Carter's presidency was because Carter turned out to be one of our best ex-Presidents. I hadn't really followed the machinations of the conservative Democrats to take over the party. So I learned a few things, and reevaluated a few more.
It's a quick read. I might've given it 4.5 stars if that'd been an option.
May 5, 2016
Came across this graphic novel about Bernie Sanders last night and felt I had to have it if for no other reason than sentimentality. Sanders is the first candidate I've had a chance to vote for in my four decades who actually seems to represent my conscience. Rall does a terrific job of documenting the current state of the pro laissez faire capitalist democratic party, and the decimation of the leftist voice in the democratic platform, without shying away from issues that Sanders' leftist credentials take some hits (e.g. his nuanced opinions over gun control and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict). Through and through I felt this book was extremely even handed and I'll continue to hold out hope that the party of FDR may once again find its way back to representation of the working class and the underdogs by nominating Sanders to defeat the fascist rhetoric coming from the republicans and their chosen candidate of billionaire Donald Trump.
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