This review is actually of "Peanuts," the first reprint collection of cartoons from 1950-1952 by Charles M. Schulz, although obviously reviews of other books are mixed in here. From a historical perspective these early strips are fascinating simply because we watch Schulz put the pieces together. For example, it takes a while for Charlie Brown's shirt to get his beloved zigzag pattern. However, the most interesting aspects are the original roster of characters. Charlie Brown's main protagonist for most of these early strips is Patty, while his best bud is Shermy, and man's best friend is Snoopy. Then Violet is introduced into the strip, not only to give Patty a girl friend, but also to up the ante on giving Charlie Brown a hard time. At this point in the game of life, Charlie Brown still has his fair share of good moments in life. The foundation for the world's most loveable loser is there, but this is still a kid who puts on the world's biggest smile when the girls tell him their mothers consider him a "roughneck." This is also a time in history of "Peanuts" where parents are lurking around out of the frame.

The key moment in the development of the comic strip comes from a rather simple beginning. Charlie Brown is introduced to baby Schroeder. There are some efforts to help the baby learn how to talk and read, but then Charlie Brown introduces Schroeder to a toy piano. The rest, of course, is history. From the first massive chord Schroeder plays on his piano, Schulz introduces not only a strong sense of whimsy, he also creates his first running-gag. At another point several strips in a row are devoted to the kids playing out in the snow while others deal with Halloween and we can literally see Schulz start to take a bigger perspective on the world of "Peanuts." The characters start to become better defined and those who prove less than satisfactory foils, namely Patty and Shermy, are replaced by more interesting protagonists (I am thinking of Lucy and Linus, but they do not appear at this point); more importantly, eventually Snoopy would be more than a mere beagle. Still, it was something of a surprise to re-read these strips a half-century later and realize that the pivotal character in the development of the comic strip was Schroeder.

This features some of the best Peanuts cartoons from the 1960's. In it, you will see what inspired specials like "A Boy Named CB", "It Was a Short Summer, CB" and "You're Not Elected, CB". You have the born loser Charlie Brown going to a rained out baseball game, making a friend at summer camp, and trying to fly his kite. You have the philosophical Linus who thinks he's discovered a wooden sphere and tries to share his theological viewpoints. Lucy is as crabby as ever as she chews Charlie Brown out in psychiatric help when not pulling that football away. Peppermint Patty gives a card to her father who calls her a "rare gem". Schroder is the cartoon's musical maestro, Sally jumps rope and pesters Charlie Brown, Pig Pen is a mess, and Woodstock is introduced. Oh yes, let's not forget Snoopy who plays the Easter Beagle, a vulture, the World War I Flying Ace, author of "It Was a Dark & Stormy Night", and himself at Halloween (and mistaken as "some kid in a dog costume"!)! Get this collection if you can (which is in dire need of reprint along with Peanuts Treasury).

1975 FIRST EDITION, "PEANUTS JUBILEE" HB BOOK 1975 FirstEdition "Peanuts Jubilee, My Life and Art with Charlie Brown andOthers" By Charles M. Schulz. Hard back book, with dust jacket, published by Holt,Rinehart and Winston, NY. size 11 1/2" X 15 1/2", 222 pages. Chapter One: "And So 25 Years Have Gone By" This chapter has photo's of Schulz as a baby, early family photos, army life photos & sketches. Comic strips from a Catholic magazine called "Just Keep Looking" and "Little Folks" by Sparky. Also 1st peanut strip dated 12/2/50. And much more. Chapter Two: "The Initial Theme of Peanuts" This chapter mostly has the comic strip plates number 52-106 called "Peanuts featuring", "Good ol' Charlie Brown", from 1/18/73 to 12/16/73 Chapter Three: "Surroundings Play a Definite Role", Consists of exterior and interior photos of Schulz studio called "Snoopy Place". Photos of Schulz at work and sketching with colleagues. Also more comic strip plates numbered 107-134 dated from 1/13/74 to 3/2/75. Has a Peanuts Chronology and a Peanuts Bibliography A great addition to any PEANUTS fan!

Any Peanuts lover will enjoy the daily comics of Charles Shulz in this tear-off calender.

While scrolling through the list of Peanuts books available through Amazon.com, I couldn't help but notice that NONE of these wonderful books has yet received any customer reviews. So let me be the first -- you will NOT regret buying a Peanuts book by Charles M. Schulz! In fact, my personal observation about Mr. Schulz is that his newer strips are even better than the older "classics"! This is a genuinely gifted person. Show your love and respect for "good ol' Charlie Brown" -- buy as many Peanuts books from Amazon.com as you can possibly afford! Your descendants will be profoundly grateful -- and you'll have lots of fun (re)reading them yourself!

Snoopy deals with the difficulty of writing and creativity with great humor. He also takes rejection in his stride. As always, Charles Schulz draws the strips well and is very cute to look at.

While scrolling through the list of Peanuts books available through Amazon.com, I couldn't help but notice that NONE of these wonderful books has yet received any customer reviews. So let me be the first -- you will NOT regret buying a Peanuts book by Charles M. Schulz! In fact, my personal observation about Mr. Schulz is that his newer strips are even better than the older "classics"! This is a genuinely gifted person. Show your love and respect for "good ol' Charlie Brown" -- buy as many Peanuts books from Amazon.com as you can possibly afford! Your descendants will be profoundly grateful -- and you'll have lots of fun (re)reading them yourself!

Snoopy goes against the Red Baron again! Snoopy is so cool when he's wearing his aviator helmet! I wish there were more books like this! I would buy them all!

This book is great! Full of Wild West facts, colorful photographs and pictures, and delicious recipes. It is a very fun book to flip through and read. My 22 year old sister liked it so much, I'm going to buy her a copy as a gift. If you like cowboys and the west, and if you like to have fun experimenting in the kitchen, this is a book for you!

In the beginning Snoopy meets a poodle. He tells Charlie Brown how happy they are and that they have decided to get married. Charlie Brown is sad but he agrees just as long as Snoopy is happy. Snoopy writes to his cousin Spike to come to his wedding. Spike sruggles to get there but he makes it. Snoopy starts feeling nervous. The day of the wedding something happens! Something also happens with the poodle but YOU'LL have to find out. This book is fun, funny, and worth reading. I'd say it's good for any age! :)