Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot

Written by John Callahan

Narrated by Joe Barrett

In 1972, at the age of 21, John Callahan was involved in a car crash that severed his spine and made him a quadriplegic. A heavy drinker since the age of 12 (alcohol had played a role in his crash), the accident could have been the beginning of a downward spiral. Instead, it sparked a personal transformation. After extensive physical therapy, he was eventually able to grasp a pen in his right hand and make rudimentary drawings. By 1978, Callahan had sworn off drinking for good, and begun to draw cartoons.

Over the next three decades, until his death in 2010, Callahan would become one of the nation's most beloved-and at times polarizing-cartoonists. His work, which shows off a wacky and sometimes warped sense of humor, pokes fun at social conventions and pushes boundaries. One cartoon features Christ at the cross with a thought bubble reading "T.G.I.F." In another, three sheriffs on horseback approach an empty wheelchair in the desert. "Don't worry," one sheriff says to another, "He won't get far on foot."

Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot recounts Callahan's life story, from the harrowing to the hilarious.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Jul 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781684414710

John Callahan

John Callahan (1951–2010) was a nationally syndicated cartoonist known for his frank portrayals of challenging subjects, in particular disability. Callahan, who became a quadriplegic following a car accident at age twenty-one, drew cartoons that touched upon addiction, ableism, and the absurd. He was the creator of the Nickelodeon cartoon Pelswick.

Reviews for Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot

[grandpahobo_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Its a thoughtful autobiography of the authors life from childhood until his 30s. His story is on of tremendous emotional and physical hardship. While there is a lot of pain, the author injects a lot of dark (sometimes very dark) humor.

[winonabaines · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Story of a quadraplegic and how he got that way and how he copes The man is nuts - writes cartoons and comes up with lines like the title.

[knicke_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm sorry that I didn't find this book until just after Callahan's recent passing, but glad that I found it at all. I'd certainly seen a few of his cartoons, but knew nothing of the complex personality behind them. A deceptively slim volume for the amount of misery and hilarity crammed into it (plus it has pictures!). Fragrantly foul and purely honest, and funny, funny, funny.

[arkholt_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

My dad got me this book for my birthday one year. I'm a great fan of all things having to do with comic strips, so I was delighted. I love the title. I love the little cartoons scattered throughout the pages. Callahan's attitude throgh the whole thing is great, despite all of the very traumatizing experiences he had through his life. Very inspiring, but doesn't cram any mushy stuff down your throat.

[thescrappycat · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the better memoirs I've read. This is the story of John Callahan, the 'Callahan' of comic panel fame, who, at age 21, drunkenly took a 90 mph ride into a telephone pole and ended up quadraplegic. This story is told with great wit and not a trace of self-pity, even though you cringe when you read about his injuries and hospital stays. Callahan is a funny guy, really witty, and I totally fell in love with this book. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!