A sense of optimism after the 2008 election inspired illustrator Maira Kalman to travel around the country and create images that pay tribute to symbols of the nation's history and pursuits of happiness. She compiled the images in her new book, And the Pursuit of Happiness.
The image reads: "But we were lucky at breakfast the next morning. Lincoln walked into the room. A retired minister who travels as a Lincoln presenter. There are 150 Lincoln presenters all over the country. I have met four so far."
from And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman. By arrangement of Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. Copyright (c) 2010 by Maira Kalman.
The image reads: "Howard Coble, a Republican representative from North Carolina. I ate a bag of his North Carolina peanuts."
from And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman. By arrangement of Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. Copyright (c) 2010 by Maira Kalman.
The image reads: "We met a man from Ecuador who reminds me of my Uncle Shlomo"
from And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman. By arrangement of Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. Copyright (c) 2010 by Maira Kalman.
This image reads: "I think about loneliness and accomplishment and courage. Sojourner Truth was sold to this man and then that man and then another man, and was finally freed. In court she fought for her son's freedom. And won."
from And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman. By arrangement of Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. Copyright (c) 2010 by Maira Kalman.
The image reads: "The cherry pie on the red tray in the base cafeteria is a momentary bright spot."
from And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman. By arrangement of Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. Copyright (c) 2010 by Maira Kalman.
The image reads: "The Marquis de Lafayette, who helped finance the American Revolution (and did not get his head chopped off during the French Revolution) would come by and visit. He probably ate Dolley's ice cream."
from And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman. By arrangement of Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. Copyright (c) 2010 by Maira Kalman.
The image reads: "Dolly lived long enough to be captured in a photograph wearing her dashing turban at the age of 80. Among her last words were, "There is nothing in this world worth caring for."
from And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman. By arrangement of Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. Copyright (c) 2010 by Maira Kalman.
The image reads: "And then in Queens we enjoy a mango lassi at the Jackson Diner."
from And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman. By arrangement of Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. Copyright (c) 2010 by Maira Kalman.
from And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman. By arrangement of Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. Copyright (c) 2010 by Maira Kalman.
The image reads: "At the Lincoln Diner there are only two Lincoln-related items on the menu: French Toast a la Lincoln and Italian Sub Lincoln-Style (no substitutions)."
from And the Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman. By arrangement of Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. Copyright (c) 2010 by Maira Kalman.