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9/22/2014 Book - Please God Save Us - Kent Smith

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Book – Please God About
Save Us Leadership and Experience
Six Little Known Facts About
Critical Praise for “Please God Save Us”
The new book by Derek Hess & Kent Smith Kent Smith
Book – Please God Save Us
Available at StrhessPress.com
1/7
“Bored with your summer reading list already?
Derek Hess and Kent Smith can fix that. Their
first book, Please God Save Us debuts July 4.
The arguments begin shortly thereafter.” —
Northern Ohio Live, July 2008, Page 20.

“Local indie/hardcore artist Derek Hess and
politician/self-proclaimed “policynerd” Kent
Smith might actually be greater together than
the sum of their individual parts. The duo has

long charted ground individually in town with
http://www.kenftisemrithy.oregf/afbeocutt/b.oToko-pgleeasteh-geord-,satvhe-eusy/ ’ve joined forces for

9/22/2014 Book - Please God Save Us - Kent Smith

fiery effect. Together, they’ve joined forces for
an incendiary graphic essay folio full of
scathing indictments that scald like napalm.” –
CoolCleveland.com, July 16, 2008.

“If, as Alan Moore once observed, ‘the word is
the unit of currency of the left brain, and the
image that of the right,’ then Derek Hess and
Kent Smith have achieved a balance between
the two.” — Real Detroit Weekly, July 30, 2008,
Page 58.

“Provocative? Definitely. Controversial? Most
likely. Inflammatory? Only if you give it to your
conservative relatives for Christmas (something
we highly recommend).” — Metrotimes, July
30, 2008, Page 36.

“Smith’s written words are united with Hess’
artwork to create a book that does not leave
any questions on what stance the duo holds in
regards to the nation’s highest political
leaders.” — Record – Courier, July 31, 2008,
Page C-2.

“Please God Save Us is a smart, provocative 2/7
and perhaps controversial look at some of

today’s most pressing societal issues.” – The
Cleveland Leader, September 30, 2008.

http://www.kentsmith.org/about/book-please-god-save-us/

9/22/2014 Book - Please God Save Us - Kent Smith

“If you have yet to catch a peek at this book,
you’ll be blown away by internationally known
artist, Derek Hess’ intense imagery combined
with Cleveland-area politician, Kent Smith’s
powerful words. Yes, the name Please God Save
Us pretty much sums it up: this book tests the
mind and ideals of the nation in a politically
charged tour de force.” — Juxtapoz Magazine
(online), September 30, 2008.

“When a former community organizer and
Democratic Party official joins forces with a
famed printmaker, illustrator and rock ‘n’ roll
poster artist, you get “Please God Save Us”. It’s
a book of intense illustrations by Derek Hess
with text by Kent Smith, ripping into right-wing
pieties and devastation wreaked by literal “red
elephants” on people, the planet and free
thought.” — Pittsburgh City Paper, October 15,
2008, Page 48.

“We are all irritated with U.S. leaders and the 3/7
Christian right telling us how to vote on
Proposition 8, but do we say anything more
than ‘this sucks’? Fortunately, Kent Smith can,
and does so in an educated and rational
manner. More than just a complement, Derek

Hess’s brilliantly messy and melancholic Ashley
Wood meets Bill Sinkiewicz-style paintings,
sketches and collages (often using the Red
Elephant as his subject) appear on each page,

http://www.kentsmith.org/about/book-please-god-save-us/

9/22/2014 Elephant as his subject) appeaBroookn- PeleaascehGopdaSgavee,Us - Kent Smith
echoing Smith’s words (and visa-versa). If the
publishers of Ad Busters worked in cohesion
and employed a shit-hot illustrator, the result
would be this book.” – SLUG Magazine,
November 2008.

“Please God Save Us,” a blend of Kent Smith’s
facts and tracts with Derek Hess’s startling,
dramatic art. Smith is an activist Democrat
from suburban Cleveland, Hess a Cleveland
artist who made his mark in the 1990s
designing rock posters and album covers for the
likes of Shudder to Think, Pantera, and Pink
Floyd. Hess’s work is unapologetically
subversive. A shot at the religious right, “Please
God Save Us” balls word and image into a
smart fist.” — Boston Globe, November 23,
2008.

“Artist Derek Hess is best known for his 4/7
striking, physical cover art for numerous punk
and metal albums, but lately he’s started
infusing politics into his pictures. His new book,
Please God Save Us, features lots of disturbing
drawings, paintings, and collages that
lambaste right-wing hypocrisy; in case you
don’t get the point from the artwork alone,
writer / politician / “community organizer”
Kent Smith adds essays that correspond with
the art’s themes of religion, war, environmental
exploitation and so on. Trust me, it’s rad (i.e.,
“radical” in all the meanings of the word).” –
San Francisco Weekly (online), November 12,
2008.

http://www.kentsmith.org/about/book-please-god-save-us/

9/22/2014 Book - Please God Save Us - Kent Smith

“This book juxtaposes politically and religiously
provocative images by Hess with sharp
commentary from local politico Smith. The
result is a thought-provoking, often hilarious,
always biting picture book of the narrowly
averted apocalypse. Smith’s honed criticisms of
religious warmongering and right-wing
Machiavellian maneuvering set just the right
tone for Hess’ urgent, spasmodic renderings.” —
Cleveland Scene, November 26, 2008, Page 46.

“One of the most interesting and entertaining
books of the year for those with a political taste
may be the latest from Derek Hess and Kent
Smith entitled “Please God Save Us.” … “Please
God Save Us” is simply a fascinating exposition
of the political world we live in today. Within
this work, the powerful art of Hess combines
with the words of Smith to form an intriguing
argument — at times indictment — of the
American political system of recent history. …
Built upon a crafty organizational style, this
work is a powerhouse of political commentary.
Furthermore, the artwork contained in this
volume is worthy of its own acclaim. As a
result, readers of this volume will simply find
an amazing multi-faceted collection of work by
cunning intellects.” – Augusta’s Metro Spirit,
December 17, 2008.

“Initially created as an avenue for Derek Hess 5/7
http://www.kenttosmvithe.onrgt/ahboiust/bpoookl-pilteiacsae-glodd-issavsea-utsi/sfaction, this book is

9/22/2014 Book - Please God Save Us - Kent Smith

to vent his political dissatisfaction, this book is
intended to educate and inspire its readers. The
book addresses an array of topics, including
everything from politics and religion to Sponge
Bob. Insightful, witty and thought-provoking.”
— Prick Magazine, January 2009, Page 56.

“Pairing Kent Smith’s collection of facts and
analysis with inflammatory anti-Republican
art creates a jarring, concise and accurate
reminder of liberals’ pent-up frustration
concerning Bush and his cronies. While
cataloging climate change statistics produces
surprise, Derek Hess’ art makes one feel gut-
wrenching outrage.” – Synthesis Magazine,
January 9, 2009

“Acclaimed artist, L.A. Ink guest star and fellow
Clevelander Derek Hess has compiled artwork
he did in response to the current state of the
U.S., alongside Kent Smith’s essays explaining
the art and how it relates to the blunders of the
Bush Administration. Fingers crossed Hess’
next group of drawings will reflect some change
and hope.” – Alternative Press, February 2009,
Page 61.

“Need another reason to celebrate the end of the 6/7
Bush years? Then check out this illustrated
takedown of Republicans and the Religious
Right by renowned hardcore and metal artist
Derek Hess and writer – politician Kent Smith.
“God” takes a tour of the hot button issues –

http://www.kentsmith.org/about/book-please-god-save-us/

9/22/2014 Book - Please God Save Us - Kent Smith

“God” takes a tour of the hot button issues –
Darwin, Iraq global warming – and it’s a
cranky, precise and thanks to its zine-like feel,
vaguely punk-rock ride all the way. If you’re on
the Left, it’ll confirm your worst suspicious, and
if you’re on the Right, it might just change your
mind.” – Revolver Magazine, March 2009,
page 70.

© 2014 Kent Smith ↑

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