“The Profaned Pencil takes us on a tour of three centuries of British history through the lens of caricature. Pierce’s fascinating account of what people in the past laughed at shows us that our ancestors were as uncertain about the boundaries of humor and mockery, critique and abuse, as we are today. This book presents an uncomfortable truth about caricature: its ability to amuse and disturb us in equal measure.”

Adam Morton, reader in early modern British history, Newcastle University, and coeditor of "The Power of Laughter and Satire in Early Modern Britain"

“A thoughtful and fascinating book on the strangest of our visual arts. Pierce has reopened caricature on her own terms and drawn a whole series of new lines through history. A book for anyone who likes funny, lurid, and humiliating art forms.”

Dan Sperrin, research fellow in English, Trinity College, Cambridge, and author of "State of Ridicule: A History of Satire in English Literature"