Scott Brown
Cartoonist
by
Christopher A. Kuntz
Reader’s Favorite
5 Star Reviews
In Scott Brown: Cartoonist, Christopher A. Kuntz tells the story of his grandfather, Scott Brown, a great cartoonist. Here, the author carefully goes through Scott Brown’s genealogy from the time of his grandfather, Robert Brown, to his father, Hugh Maurice Brown. The author highlights the major events of each generation in pictures and words, also showing maps of their settlements. The story of Howard Scott Brown is told chronologically from birth and his journey to being one of the greatest cartoonists who ever lived. This story is accompanied by pictures and people’s testimonies to back it up. Scott Brown’s pharmacy served as a major inspiration for his cartoons. Even after his death, his cartoons greatly influence cartoonists worldwide. Read Scott Brown: Cartoonist to learn from the life and times of this great man.
I admire Christopher Kuntz’s vast knowledge of his family’s history and the research that went into collating the required details. Scott Brown: Cartoonist is replete with many beautiful drawings and pictures of maps, events, and people that help readers understand his family history better. The story of Scott Brown is beautifully narrated with simple language, and every character is given equal attention. One remarkable thing about this book is the appendix at the end, which contains a family tree and an end note that further explains certain words in the story. Most importantly, we learn about a great man in the person of Scott Brown, who lived for his craft and touched many lives with it. He lived a fulfilling life, and I am glad to have read about it through Christopher Kuntz’s writing.
Reviewed by Adanna Ora for Readers’ Favorite
Scott Brown: Cartoonist is a biography that tells the life story of one of America’s beloved cartoonists. The book is written by his grandson, Christopher Kuntz, and opens with recounting the arrival of Scott’s great-grandfather, Robert Brown, a pioneer in the Ohio frontier at the dawn of the early 1800s. Robert’s grandson, Hugh Maurice Brown, ran the H.M. Grain Company in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, where Scott was born. Scott spent plenty of time with his father in the grain company in his formative years. Growing up loving drawings and illustrations, Scott eventually graduated from the Chicago Institute of Art and left for New York City. Apart from being a noted artist whose work was showcased in prominent magazines, newspapers, and public institutions, Scott was also the owner of a locally popular soda shop he inherited from his father.
Author Christopher Kuntz gives an engaging account of his grandfather’s life and the legacy left by his ancestors in the larger Ohio region over the past two centuries. Scott Brown: Cartoonist is a celebration of an immensely talented artist whose influence with his work transcended generations and is still relevant today. The book also feels like the story of one of those great American dynasties whose members leave a mark on the world long after they have passed away. Some vibrant pieces of Brown’s work are featured in this book, alongside snippets that provide readers with a glimpse into the life of Scott Brown as a person. If you’re someone who loves reading biographies or enjoys cartoons as an art form, you’re going to love this book.
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
Our lives are defined by those who came before us and those who followed. This is evident in Christopher Kuntz’s memoir of his grandfather, Scott Brown: Cartoonist. Beginning with a brief synopsis of his connection to his grandfather, the author takes the reader back to the beginnings of the Brown family in Mansfield, Ohio. Their stories make the character of Scott Brown so unique, caring, creative, and full of humor. He was a people person who loved making chocolate sodas for whoever came into his shop, the Brown’s Soda Shop. But he didn’t just make “the largest, coldest, and best chocolate soda on Route 30.” He took time to share a few words, a story or two, all laced with a touch of humor. He was also an artist. Combining his visual images with his vision of humanity and, of course, his sense of humor, Scott mastered the art of cartooning, carving a niche for himself that saw his work featured in some of the big-name publications of his era: The New Yorker, Collier’s, and the Saturday Evening Post.
Christopher Kuntz demonstrates a strong love and respect for his grandfather as he shares stories in Scott Brown: Cartoonist. The book is part memoir, part biography, part storytelling, and full of life. The story evolves from the Brown family’s historical roots, as so much of the pioneer beginnings of this family found their place in Scott Brown’s paintings and cartoons, not to mention his stories. The author is a detailed storyteller who presents his grandfather’s story as it was meant to be told: like a story. There are many illustrations: family photos, his grandfather’s paintings, and cartoons. This story unravels a deeper meaning of what it means to be a part of a small community, to be a strong person who makes the most of the life they’ve been given, and to be a caring, loving person who puts others first. Overall, this book was an informative and fascinating read.