Rowlandson the Caricaturist; a Selection from His Works. Vol. 1

What this book is like

This volume collects a selection of Thomas Rowlandson's caricatures, with Joseph Grego's commentary on each image. Rowlandson's work captures the comic and grotesque side of English life around the turn of the nineteenth century—street scenes, social types, and political satire rendered with a lively, bawdy line. Reading means moving between picture and text, letting Grego point out details and historical jokes that might otherwise pass unnoticed.

People who enjoy history, satire, and the art of caricature will find much here. But since this is an audiobook, you won't actually see the pictures. Instead, you'll hear Grego's descriptions, which ask you to visualize the scenes. Expect to focus on the social context and humor that survives retelling, while the visuals remain a matter of imagination.