Charles M. Schulz, the most widely syndicated and beloved cartoonist of all time, is also one of the least understood figures in American culture. Now, acclaimed biographer David Michaelis gives us the first full-length biography of the brilliant, unseen man behind Peanuts : at once a creation story, a portrait of a native genius, and a chronicle contrasting the private man with the central role he played in shaping the national imagination. Schulz and Peanuts is the definitive epic biography of an American icon and the unforgettable characters he created. “Exceptional. . . . Affectionat yet critical. . . . Schulz and Peanuts takes us inside the mind of a fundamentally solitary man whose simple-looking comic strip became a visual reflection, interpretation of and guide to the times.” - The Boston Globe “Michaelis offers . . . all that’s needed about a prodigy of American cultural history.” - Kirkus Reviews “An extraordinary achievement . . . that shrinks Schulz down to human size and enlarges our love of his work.” - Time magazine “This fall’s breakout biography.” - GQ “A fascinating account of an artist who devoted his life to his work.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Michaelis takes us on a wondrous journey through the worlds of Charlie Brown and Charles Schulz.” - Walter Isaacson “After you read this book you will know the genius that went into every single line that Charles Schulz drew.” - Chris Ware “An insightful rendering of the life of this American treasure.” - Walter Cronkite Charles M. Schulz, the most widely syndicated and beloved cartoonist of all time, is also one of the least understood figures in American culture. Now, acclaimed biographer David Michaelis gives us the first full-length biography of the brilliant, unseen man behind Peanuts : at once a creation story, a portrait of a native genius, and a chronicle contrasting the private man with the central role he played in shaping the national imagination. Schulz and Peanuts is the definitive epic biography of an American icon and the unforgettable characters he created. David Michaelis is the author of two bestselling biographies, including N. C. Wyeth (available from Harper Perennial), which won the Ambassador Book Award for Biography and Autobiography, given by the English-Speaking Union of the United States. He lives in New York City.