melanierichards's review
5.0
Definitely a coffee table book, but the most inspiring making-of book I've ever read. McSweeney's has a scrappy history, and its people work hard and try to make stuff they actually think is interesting! Seems pretty standard but I honestly think most people don't push their personal work nearly as far as it can go.
wesleymiles's review
5.0
scrappy and idealistic. the book interests me most from the biz angle. I only have one MCSW, but I'm aware and obsessed with Dave's works.
they make things happen from nothing: sharing the obscure faces of writing with the world. it's inspiring to see a small team so focused on a passion dive into publishing. each issue, each cover, each set of stories are amazingly unique. things are not skimped if they obstruct the goal. if more ink is needed for the design to work, more will be bought and used.
I also connected with it because dave is a designer, and they value the design heavily, not because it's something they're snoody about, but because it's inherently tied to each piece. their collaboration is also inspiring. encouraging interns ideas yet holding a high, universal standard.
they make things happen from nothing: sharing the obscure faces of writing with the world. it's inspiring to see a small team so focused on a passion dive into publishing. each issue, each cover, each set of stories are amazingly unique. things are not skimped if they obstruct the goal. if more ink is needed for the design to work, more will be bought and used.
I also connected with it because dave is a designer, and they value the design heavily, not because it's something they're snoody about, but because it's inherently tied to each piece. their collaboration is also inspiring. encouraging interns ideas yet holding a high, universal standard.
ericfheiman's review
4.0
I've always been fascinated and inspired by the McSweeney's publications, and this book's oral history format is wonderfully entertaining and illuminating. What could have been just a glorified picture book is also a compelling historical narrative that makes me want to go back to the actual issues and discover all the little details and literature I missed.
jameseckman's review
3.0
McSweeney’s is a strange literary zine with extremely bizarre articles and graphics. An interesting skim, but not a keeper.
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