Apes of Wrath (Methuen Humour) Book

Apes of Wrath is the latest offering from Guardian cartoonist and bear-impersonator Steve Bell. Known for his incomparable If... cartoon strip, he also contributes full colour single cartoons to the Guardian which have given absolutely no quarter to the victims of his satire, particularly George Bush and Tony Blair. Bell has a knack for focussing on one aspect of a politician which then almost comes to define them. Margaret Thatcher's handbag springs to mind: better yet, John Major with his pants over his trousers or little William Hague in his school uniform. Apes of Wrath concentrates on the full-colour cartoons of his latest nemesis, George W Bush, portraying him as a chimp in a bomber jacket, with prehensile toes and a Darth Vader fixation. As befits the best of political satire, it is in turns hilarious and sobering: a damning and vehement denouncement of Bush's presidency and in particular the war in Iraq, with Tony Blair portrayed as the loyal poodle to Bush's bellicose chimp. Although they may not suitable for the easily offended, Bell's cartoons hit their target with unerring accuracy and venom and "Apes of Wrath" is an excellent presentation of arguably his best satire to date. --Duncan ThomsonRead More