The Illustrated History of the Snowman

Published by Globe Pequot Publishing
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

LIST PRICE $29.95

PRICE MAY VARY BY RETAILER

Free shipping when you spend $40. Terms apply.

Buy from Other Retailers

About The Book

A thoroughly entertaining exploration, this book travels back in time to shed light on the snowman's enigmatic past -- from the present day, in which the snowman reigns as the King of Kitsch, to the Dark Ages, with the creation of the very first snowman. Eckstein's curiosity began playfully enough, but soon snowballed into a (mostly) earnest quest of chasing Frosty around the world, into museums and libraries, and seeking out the advice of leading historians and scholars. The result is a riveting history that reaches back through centuries and across cultures -- sweeping from fifteenth-century Italian snowballs to eighteenth-century Russian ice sculptures to the regrettable "white-trash years" (1975-2000). The snowman is not just part of our childhood memories, but is an integral part of our world culture, appearing -- much like a frozen Forrest Gump -- alongside dignitaries and celebrities during momentous events. Again and again, the snowman pops up in rare prints, paintings, early movies, advertising and, over the past century, in every art form imaginable. And the jolly snowman -- ostensibly as pure as the driven snow -- also harbors a dark past full of political intrigue, sex, and violence.

With over two hundred illustrations, The Illustrated History of the Snowman is a truly original winter classic -- smart, surprisingly enlightening, and quite simply the coolest book ever.

About The Author

Product Details

  • Publisher: Globe Pequot Publishing (September 1, 2018)
  • Length: 216 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781493036660

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

"This delightful, information-packed book will give you a new appreciation for our snow brethren and sistren."

– Roz Chast, New Yorker cartoonist and best-selling author

"I participated in Bob's previous book on raising awareness for independent bookstores and I now eagerly endorse his endeavor in making the snowman the poster-boy for global warming."

– Deepak Chopra

“Bob Eckstein is a national treasure.”

– Atlas Obscura

“Hilarious, nostalgic, sweet, smart, and packed with snow.”

– Liana Finck, New Yorker cartoonist and author

"The Illustrated History of the Snowman is an original and, like building a snowman, though it can’t be explained, is simply fun.”

– Mark Kurlansky, bestselling author of Salt

“Incredibly informative! Before reading this book I would bow down and worship every snowman I saw. Now I realize they’re all made by humans!”

– Jack Handey, author of Deep Thoughts

“‘Snow joke, a great read! This book will melt your heart–fun, funny, shocking and full of real insights into human (and snowman) behavior.”

– Lenore Skenazy, author of Free-Range Kids

“Bob’s brilliant work hangs on my wall. It inspires me to be so funny that a fellow comedian wants to hang something of mine on their wall."

– Greg Fitzsimmons, comedian

“This is the kind of book you wish upon the world with all your heart. In other words, it's a total joy to read, to look at and to share.”

Darryl Price, poet, Author of The Ferocious Silence

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

BACK TO TOP