"Thomas Nast (1840-1902), the founding father of American political cartooning, is perhaps best known for his cartoons portraying political parties as the Democratic donkey and the Republican elephant. Nast's legacy also includes a trove of other political cartoons, his successful attack on the machine politics of Tammany Hall in 1871, and his wildly popular illustrations of Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly magazine. In this thoroughgoing and lively biography, Fiona Deans Halloran interprets his work, explores his motivations and ideals, and illuminates the lasting legacy of Nast's work on American political culture"--

Included in this book are more than 150 examples of Nast's work which, together with the author's commentary, recreate the life and pattern of artistic development of the man who made the political cartoon a respected and powerful journalistic form.

Finely detailed drawings of St. Nick, sleigh rides, reindeer, and "The Night Before Christmas" are all depicted in this seasonal collection of 66 Yuletide illustrations by the creator of the popular Santa Claus image.

117 of Nast's most popular and most important political cartoons with explanations of the cartoon's social background, figures who are parodied and praised, and Nast's stand on the issues.