Odd Cover Art

[Susan Higginbotham]

This biography of Andrew Johnson is part of a series of books about the Civil War, apparently aimed at elementary-school-age children. I haven't read the book but the choice of cover art is certainly interesting.

[David Lockmiller]

(07-15-2018 12:50 AM)Susan Higginbotham Wrote:  This biography of Andrew Johnson is part of a series of books about the Civil War, apparently aimed at elementary-school-age children. I haven't read the book but the choice of cover art is certainly interesting.

"Interesting" is not the correct word; "obscene" is the correct word.

[LincolnMan]

1. For the school age intended for the cover art is most certainly inappropriate.
2. Why depict the assassination scene anyway being that the book is about AJ not AL. Thought came to mind: is the author implying AJ was part of the plot to kill AJ?

[Susan Higginbotham]

(07-15-2018 07:41 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  1. For the school age intended for the cover art is most certainly inappropriate.
2. Why depict the assassination scene anyway being that the book is about AJ not AL. Thought came to mind: is the author implying AJ was part of the plot to kill AJ?

That's what I was wondering. And what's with Rathbone (I assume he's supposed to be Rathbone) looking on serenely as Booth prepares to shoot)?

[Anita]

(07-15-2018 10:09 AM)Susan Higginbotham Wrote:  

(07-15-2018 07:41 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  1. For the school age intended for the cover art is most certainly inappropriate.
2. Why depict the assassination scene anyway being that the book is about AJ not AL. Thought came to mind: is the author implying AJ was part of the plot to kill AJ?

That's what I was wondering. And what's with Rathbone (I assume he's supposed to be Rathbone) looking on serenely as Booth prepares to shoot)?

Me too! I saw Johnson's face, the assassination scene and in a split second my mind went to "Johnson was behind it." Even if that wasn't the intent it's irresponsible.

[LincolnMan]

Exactly. Or possibility #3= The cover art was made to spark curiousity to would-be readers.

[Eva Elisabeth]

My best guess is the author felt an eye catcher necessary to sell Johnson by linking the customers' attention to undoubtedly the only reason that made him occurring in history books at all - without the assassination I think he would never have become president (as which he accomplished to regularly hit the lowest marks in rankings). Stirring a little speculation certainly was thought to add to attraction. Yellow press does that every day on the covers just to reveal nothing new inside. No doubt unfair towards Johnson. (I think it's difficult to make something interesting out of him at all, moreover without the assassination and for kids - it would probably have been nicer to just let him RIP.)

And unfortunately anything bang bang attracts at least many little boys.

And please don't tell me US elementary kids don't get to watch a lot of this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0VCSUiTI604
... or such as the brutal Grimms' tales.
Is that all more appropriate? And how would you sell Johnson (without the assassination)?

[L Verge]

(07-16-2018 04:56 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  My best guess is the author felt an eye catcher necessary to sell Johnson by linking the customers' attention to undoubtedly the only reason that made him occurring in history books at all - without the assassination I think he would never have become president (as which he accomplished to regularly hit the lowest marks in rankings). Stirring a little speculation certainly was thought to add to attraction. Yellow press does that every day on the covers just to reveal nothing new inside. No doubt unfair towards Johnson. (I think it's difficult to make something interesting out of him at all, moreover without the assassination and for kids - it would probably have been nicer to just let him RIP.)

And unfortunately anything bang bang attracts at least many little boys.

And please don't tell me US elementary kids don't get to watch a lot of this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0VCSUiTI604
... or such as the brutal Grimms' tales.
Is that all more appropriate? And how would you sell Johnson (without the assassination)?

Good point, Eva. The only other point would be his troubles with Reconstruction, and that topic surely won't attract anyone under the age of 21 -- still turns me off!

[Susan Higginbotham]

This is the one about Lincoln. According to the blurb on this one, the titles in the series are supposed to overlap, which makes a bit more sense of the Johnson cover art.

https://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Historie...1567115357