In "Becoming Dr. Seuss," author Brian J. Jones chronicles the life of Theodor Geisel, known to the world as Dr. Seuss, whose whimsical books like "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham" revolutionized children's literature. Geisel, a complex man with a rigorous work ethic, started his career in advertising and reluctantly ventured into children's books—a move prompted by a contract that didn't prohibit it. Despite early rejections, his persistence paid off with "The Cat in the Hat," enabling him to eventually write full-time. He believed in the power of reading for fun, striving to create books that didn't talk down to kids. His mother's influence on his rhythm and his father's discipline in pursuit of excellence profoundly shaped his creative approach. Geisel's personal life, marked by the tragic suicide of his wife Helen following his affair with Audrey Stone Diamond, whom he subsequently married, adds a somber note to his otherwise celebrated career. Despite his insecurities and desire for serious artistic recognition, Dr. Seuss's legacy endures as a beloved icon who introduced generations to the joy of reading.
Introduction of Founders Postscript Feed:
Access and Support Information:
Content and Communication:
Before jumping into today's episode as a way to incentivize people to switch to the annual plan, I actually have another podcast feed that I'm calling founders postscript.
This quote introduces the new podcast feed, Founders Postscript, which serves as an incentive for listeners to subscribe to the annual plan.
It does not cost any additional money. I am not selling it. I am merely using it as an added benefit.
David clarifies that the new feed is not an additional cost but an added benefit for annual subscribers.
It's in my interest to incentivize you to do so. And if I can give you a little bit of extra work for doing so, I think that's a good trade.
David acknowledges his interest in encouraging listeners to support the podcast through the annual plan and believes the extra content is a fair trade-off.
Dr. Seuss's Influence and Work:
Geisel's Mission and Standards:
Biography "Becoming Dr. Seuss":
Book Recommendations and Discoveries:
Dr. Seuss is a classic American icon, whimsical and wonderful. His work has defined our childhoods and the childhoods of our own children.
This quote highlights Dr. Seuss's impact on multiple generations through his iconic books and characters.
He introduced generations to the wonders of reading while teaching young people about empathy and how to treat others well.
The quote captures Geisel's mission to foster a love for reading and instill empathy in children through his stories.
Ted later credited his mother for the rhythms in which I write and the urgency with which I do it.
David quotes Geisel crediting his mother for influencing his writing style and work ethic, emphasizing the formative impact of his upbringing.
Mother's Influence:
Father's Influence:
Reading and Books in the Household:
Impact of Prohibition on the Family:
Ted is a workaholic, as we'll see later on. He fell into the career of Dr. Seuss rather reluctantly.
David points out Geisel's workaholic tendencies and his initial reluctance to embrace his career as Dr. Seuss.
Ted's high school art, while competent, would give very little indication of the unique and whimsical style to come.
The quote reflects on Geisel's early artistic efforts, which were unremarkable compared to his later iconic style.
You will never be sorry for anything you never said.
David shares advice from Ted's father, emphasizing the value of measured speech and the influence of such advice on Ted's character.
Ted's High School Experience:
Artistic Development:
Family Hardship and Prohibition:
For Ted, school was something to be endured, not mastered.
This quote summarizes Ted's attitude toward formal education, which was not a primary source of his learning or interest.
His mother let him draw on the walls. She encouraged him to pursue things he was interested in.
David shares how Ted's mother supported his interests, which played a role in his development as an artist and writer.
On January 17, 1920, prohibition officially went into effect... That was it for Springfield Breweries.
David recounts the impact of Prohibition on the Geisel family, marking a significant turning point in their lives and Ted's future.
"For more than a year, Tr would mourn the loss of the industry he had grown up in. His father was so Tr's father, Ted's grandfather, was also in the business. He actually sold two breweries and then started investing in real estate as well."
The quote highlights the family's transition from the brewery industry to real estate, reflecting the impact of industrial changes on family businesses and the importance of adaptability.
"And it's something he loved to do, and yet it's sitting there right in front of your face."
This quote underscores the idea that sometimes one's true passion can be overlooked, even when it is a significant part of their life and interests.
"On June 23, 1925, Ted graduated from Dartmouth. Unlike many of his classmates, Ted wasn't entirely certain what to do next."
The quote reflects the common post-graduation uncertainty and the societal expectation to follow a traditional career path, even when it does not align with personal interests.
"You're crazy to be a professor, she told Ted flatly. What you really want to do is draw."
This quote is a pivotal moment in Ted's life, as Helen's direct advice challenges him to reassess his career aspirations and embrace his artistic talents.
"Despite his darkening spirits, his persistence paid off. In early summer, an editor of the Saturday Evening Post purchased one of his cartoons."
The quote demonstrates the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity and uncertainty, a theme common in the stories of many successful individuals.
"A cartoon appeared in the January 14, 1928, issue of Judge that Ted would rightly say, changed my whole life."
This quote marks a significant turning point in Ted's career, illustrating how a single opportunity can alter one's professional trajectory.
"It was at this point, Ted later explained, that he came to realize there was no sense in just illustrating books."
The quote captures Ted's strategic decision to expand his role in the publishing process, highlighting the financial and creative benefits of being a writer-illustrator.
"I would like to say I went into children's book work because of my great understanding of children, Ted said. In truth, I went in because it wasn't excluded by my s
The quote reveals the pragmatic reasons behind Ted's choice to write children's books, offering insight into how external factors can influence creative career decisions.
"He ran into Mike McClintock, a fellow darkmouth man, who asked him what he was carrying oh, just a book no one will publish. Ted told him, I'm lucky at home to burn. Mike told Ted he just started a job as a juvenile book editor for a Vanguard Press and asked Ted if he'd like to come inside to show his book to the vanguard president, James Heenle."
This quote illustrates how a serendipitous meeting led to Dr. Seuss's first publishing opportunity, emphasizing the role of luck and networking in his success.
"The story of Dr. Seuss's career is one of patients. And the note I left myself here is he could have quit here. There's so many times where Ted just deciding, hey, I'm going to give up."
This quote highlights the crucial role of persistence in Dr. Seuss's career, suggesting that determination is a significant factor separating successful individuals from the rest.
"But Capra taught me conciseness, said Ted. I learned a lot about the juxtaposition of words and visual images."
This quote reveals how Frank Capra's mentorship in storytelling techniques profoundly impacted Dr. Seuss's approach to writing and illustrating, emphasizing the value of brevity and clarity in communication.
"Dr. Seuss was home from the war and very uncertain about what to do next. He is 41 years old, and he's still not successful."
This quote captures the crossroads Dr. Seuss faced post-war, highlighting the uncertainty and the late blooming of his career as a children's author.
"There's something we get when we write for the young that we can never hope to get in writing for ancients."
This quote expresses Dr. Seuss's conviction that writing for children retains a purity and playfulness that writing for adults lacks, demonstrating his commitment to the genre.
"Ted settled into a seat across from Jackson and went into his spiel. It had been seven years since I gave up being a soldier. Now I'd like to give up movies and advertising and anything that means dueling with vice presidents and committees."
This quote shows Dr. Seuss's determination to pursue his passion for children's literature full-time and the critical role his agent played in supporting this decision.
"He's not born Dr. Seuss. He had multiple decades of transforming himself into it. That's why I love the title becoming Dr. Seuss."
The quote underscores the importance of recognizing the effort and time it took for Ted to evolve into the iconic Dr. Seuss.
"What he really needed was a blockbuster, a book that sold hundreds of thousands of copies and was popular enough to send readers looking through his entire work."
This quote highlights the career advice given to Ted, emphasizing the need for a highly successful book to boost his entire body of work.
"At 50, Ted turned 50 years old. Looking back over his half century, Ted was generally pleased."
This quote provides insight into Ted's personal and professional contentment at a milestone age, while still harboring aspirations for his career.
"For me, success means doing work that you love, regardless of how much you make. I go into my office almost every day and give it 8 hours, though every day isn't productive."
The quote conveys Ted's definition of success and his disciplined approach to work, which involves committing time to his craft daily.
"Could Ted write a story for first graders that they couldn't put down using a vocabulary of 225 words or less?"
This quote poses the challenge Ted faced in creating an engaging and accessible book for young readers with a restricted vocabulary.
"I've always had a mistrust of adults. And one reason I dropped out of Oxford was what I thought was, I thought they were taking life too damn seriously, concentrating too much on nonessentials."
The quote reflects Ted's rebellious and nonconformist attitude towards adults and traditional education, which influenced his writing style.
"Helen was dead at the age of 69. Before going to bed the night before, she had downed a handful of barbiturates."
This quote describes the tragic end of Ted's wife, Helen, and the personal crisis that followed, marking a significant and dark event in Ted's life.
"Dr. Seuss had taken his own unique blend of discipline and coordinated chaos to create something entirely new, books that not only helped kids read, but were also books they liked to read and wanted to read."
This quote encapsulates Ted's philosophy as Dr. Seuss: to make reading an enjoyable experience for children, which became his enduring legacy.