Humor Books
Related Subjects: Parodies
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very nice bookReview Date: 2008-03-19
It Soothes the SoulReview Date: 2003-02-27
For me, one of the funniest sections of the book was the introduction written by Leacock, where he gives you some background about himself and his profession. This short piece of writing quickly gives you an idea of the type of humor you will find in the actual sketches: a very sly, very quiet and clever type of humor that often takes a while to sink in. Leacock does not rely on rim shot jokes or manic posturing in his writings. Instead, he creates the fictional Canadian town of Mariposa and populates it with small town archetypes that are wonders to behold.
All of the characters are hilarious in their own way: Mr. Smith, the proprietor of the local hotel and bar, full of schemes to earn money while trying to get his liquor license back. Then there is Jefferson Thorpe, the barber involved in financial schemes that may put him on the level of the Morgans and the Rockefellers. The Reverend Mr. Drone presides over the local Church of England in Mariposa, a man who reads Greek as easy as can be but laments his lack of knowledge about logarithms and balancing the financial books of the church. Peter Pupkin, the teller at the local bank, has a secret he wants no one to know about, but which eventually comes out while he is courting the daughter of the town judge. All of these characters, and several others, interact throughout the sketches.
Leacock has the ability to turn a story, to make it take a crazy, unexpected twist even when you are looking for such a maneuver. That he accomplishes this in stories that rarely run longer than twenty pages is certainly a sign of great talent. By the time you reach the end of the book, you know these people as though you lived in the town yourself, and you know what makes them tick.
Despite all of the crazy antics in Mariposa, Leacock never lets the reader lose sight of the fact that these are basically good people living good lives. There seems to be a lot of feeling for the citizens of Mariposa on the part of Leacock, which comes to a head in the final sketch in the collection, "L'Envoi. The Train to Mariposa," where he recounts traveling back to the town after being away for years, with all of the attendant emotions that brings as recognizable landmarks come into view and the traveler realizes that his little town is the same as when he left it years before.
I suspect there is a historical importance to "Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town." These writings first appeared in 1912, a time when many people living in the bigger Canadian cities still remembered life in a small town. In addition to the humorous aspects of the book, the author includes many descriptive passages concerning the atmosphere and layout of Mariposa, something instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up in such a place. Nostalgia for the simpler life of the small town probably played a significant role in the book's success.
I look forward to reading more Stephen Leacock. While much of the humor in the book is not belly laugh funny, it does provide one with a deep satisfaction of reading clever humor from an author who knows how to tickle the funny bone. You do not need to be Canadian to enjoy this wonderful book.
funniest book i've ever readReview Date: 2003-06-22
the funniest book i've ever readReview Date: 2002-12-04
An endearing portrait of Oriliia -- my home townReview Date: 2001-12-17
Will Rogers for the 90's."
Rogers, of course, is one of the most beloved of American humorists -- he was killed in
1935 when his plane crashed near Point Barrow, Alaska. Leacock died on March 28, 1944.
Like Rogers, he had been Canada's favorite humorist for decades.
Sunshine Sketches is about Orillia, Ontario, Canada, where Leacock had his summer home
on Brewery Bay (he once wrote, "I have known that name, the old Brewery Bay, to make
people feel thirsty by correspondence as far away as Nevada.") His home is now maintained
as a historic site by the town of Orillia. I lived there for almost 30 years, and the people of Orillia are still much the same as Leacock portrayed them in 1912.
These stories about various personalities in town were printed in the local newspaper in the
1910 - 1912 era, before being compiled into this book which established Leacock's literary
fame. The people portrayed really lived, though some are composites; the events are of a
kindly humorist looking at the foibles of small town life. Once they came out in book form
and soared to national popularity, everyone in town figured the rest of the country was
laughing at them because of Leacock's book and he was royally hated in Orillia to the end
of his life.
Gradually, and this took decades, Orillians came to recognize that genius had walked
amongst them for several decades. (It's hard to recognize genius when your own ego is so
inflated.) Orillia now awards the annual "Leacock Medal for Humor" -- Canada's top literary
prize for the best book of humour for the preceding year.
Leacock died when I was six, but I did know his son, who still lived in town. I delivered
papers to the editor of the "Newspacket," Leacock's name for the Orillia Packet and Times
(where I worked) and the rival Newsletter. The Packet had the same editor in the 1940's as
when Leacock wrote about him in 1910.
But the book is more than Orillia; it is a wonderfully kind and humorous description of life in
many small towns. The American artist Norman Rockwell painted the same kinds of scenes;
it is the type of idyllic urban life so many of us keep longing to find again in our hectic
urban world.
Leacock realized the book was universal in its description of small towns, and in the preface
he wrote "Mariposa is not a real town. On the contrary, it is about seventy or eighty of
them. You may find them all the way from Lake Superior to the sea, with the same square
streets and the same maple trees and the same churches and hotels, and everywhere the
sunshine of the land of hope."
True enough, which gives this book continuing appeal nearly a century after it was written.
All great writing is about topics you know, and as a longtime resident Leacock knew Orillia
well. As for Leacock himself, he wrote, "I was born at Swanmoor, Hants., England, on Dec.
30, 1869. I am not aware that there was any particular conjunction of the planets at the
time, but should think it extremely likely."
He says of his education, "I survived until I took the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
1903. The meaning of this degree is that the recipient of instruction is examined for the last
time in his life, and is pronounced completely full. After this, no new ideas can be imparted
to him."
In reviewing Charles Dickens' works in 1934, Leacock wrote what could well be his own
epitaph: "Transitory popularity is not proof of genius. But permanent popularity is." The fact
his writings are still current illustrates the nature of his writing.
In contrast to the sometimes sardonic humor of modern times, Sunshine Sketches reflects
Leacock's idea that "the essence of humor is human kindness." Or, in the same vein, "Humor
may be defined as the kindly contemplation of the incongruities of life, and the artistic
expression thereof."
Granted, this book is not what he recognized to have widespread appeal to modern readers.
In his own words, "There are only two subjects that appeal nowadays to the general public,
murder and sex; and, for people of culture, sex-murder." Yet, anyone reading this will
remember scenes from it for much longer than anything from a murder mystery.
In today's world, where newspapers almost daily track Prime Minister Tony Blair's dash to
the political right, Leacock wrote, "Socialism won't work except in Heaven where they don't
need it and in Hell where they already have it."
He described his own home as follows, "I have a large country house -- a sort of farm
which I carry on as a hobby . . . . Ten years ago the deficit on my farm was about a
hundred dollars; but by well-designed capital expenditure and by greater attention to
details, I have got it into the thousands." Sounds familiar to today's farm policies ?
It's what I mean by this being a timeless work.
Leacock himself noted, when talking about good literature, "Personally, I would sooner have
written 'Alice in Wonderland' than the whole of the 'Encyclopedia Britannica'." This is his
'Alice' and it well deserves to be favorably compared to Lewis Carroll's work.
By all measures, it is still the finest Canadian book ever written.

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Still laughingReview Date: 2008-08-28
"That Reminds Me" is a treasure trove of jokes long forgottenReview Date: 2008-07-23
While growing up, my younger brother and I would often tell jokes at the dinner table, with the objective of making our father laugh. (Mom never did have much of a sense of humor.) Our quest for new material was constant. I've read lots of joke books and many of the jokes here were not new to me... but so many had been completely forgotten until Michael Close's carefully constructed versions brought them back to mind. Unlike many joke books, his selections are impeccable... there are no duds! And, yes, there were quite a few that I hadn't heard before.
I also appreciated the magical anecdotes. Magicdom is populated with colorful characters and it would be a shame for future generations not to know of them.
The final chapter, entitled Last Laugh, rang very true. When all's said and done, we have only our memories to accompany us through life and this book certainly brought back many memories.
Although I laughed when I read the book, the best part is being reminded of so many forgotten jokes that I can start telling again!
Inspiring material for magicians (and everyone!)Review Date: 2008-07-23
His physical humor is awesome, and he comes up with some interesting ideas with physical humor that as a magician you could use to segue between routines (and maybe even misdirect your audience to get in some secret preparation!).
I really have found it inspirational -- he's since gotten me to watch "The Aristocrats" and read Legman's "Rationale of the Dirty Joke", too.
A Laugh Out Loud Riot!Review Date: 2008-04-21
I've had the pleasure of hearing many of these jokes first hand and have seen Michael bring an audience to tears (with laughter). Michael has the ability to find the perfect joke for any situation. I guarantee you that you will find jokes in this book that you've never heard and a couple that that you may have heard before, but are presented here with a new twist or wrinkle that brings it to a new gut busting level.
In addition to the jokes, Michael also profiles some of his very funny friends in the magic world including Jay Marshall, Bob Read, Aldo Colombini and others.
If you're a joke lover as I am, you'll do yourself a favor and order this amazing collection. I'm already anxiously awaiting part two.
Chunks Is My DogReview Date: 2008-04-09
Darren Hart

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Great StoriesReview Date: 2008-01-22
It is as germain today as it was in 1992 after the first Gulf War,which is when I first read it.
It is chocked full of humor and Barry McWilliams' special take on the every day. As the creator of the JP Doodles cartoon he has used his skills to full advantage by creating the wonderfull art within.
A worthy read.
From a Desert Storm VeteranReview Date: 2007-07-25
It's all true!Review Date: 1999-06-11
This aint Hell, but you can see it from here!Review Date: 2000-03-30
If you are not a veterans it will still be funny to most of you.
Loved it! Brought back more than a couple memories.Review Date: 1999-10-15

Sweet Tale of Spiritual AwakeningReview Date: 2008-04-10
I love the way the wise old mentor bee, Bert, provides Buzz with guidance, wisdom, and support, and the way the various crises facing the honeybee colony set the stage for some far-reaching decisions to be made. I was amazed to see how the various problems facing the bees so closely parallel human concerns and issues, and delighted to see how Buzz recognizes opportunities to come to peace with "beeing" himself regardless what other bees might say or think. A crisis involving the hive occurs when a marauding bear named Boris provides the colony with incentive to go to war... while Buzz contemplates a more peaceful vision of the hive's future.
Discover all you can bee in this charming tale... you will bee amazed!
There's More to Life Than Just Making HoneyReview Date: 2008-03-06
What is Buzz to do or not do? Just as he seems at the very lowest point of despair, he meets an older bee, Bert. Their conversations and ruminations about love, work, death, God, religion, sameness, difference and just "being" pepper these 140 pages with a fascinating dialogue that's bound to touch every reader's mind, heart and spirit!
For Buzz is about to really enter a spiritual journey that he could never have imagined before meeting Bert. Attracted to and repelled by what he hears, he can neither conform to or ignore what he hears from this older bee who is his greatest friend.
He must go on his own journey to find out the truth or whatever else just "is!"
Sound familiar? This is a simple yet profound story effectively told and accompanied by lovely drawings that parallel the story to deeply affect the reader. To Bee or Not to Bee is a quick, lovely, powerful and unforgettable read!
Highly recommended for readers of all ages!
Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on March 5, 2008
What a wake up call...Review Date: 2008-02-12
Good book - works on multiple levelsReview Date: 2008-02-10
Bee engagedReview Date: 2008-02-08
At the most basic level this is the story of Buzz, a worker bee who does what bees do, he does his part to collect honey for his hive. Along the way he looks for pollen and God. Many of his emotions are evoked. He feels anger, he witnesses the dying of many of his fellow bees and he finds contentment. And, that is the power of this book. Buzz's life is ours. So, how do we find contentment? We realize that we can choose to see the beauty in the daily acts of living. We realize that we are a part of a complex and interdependent hive.
Share this book with a teenager who is just coming to grips with the big issues of life, someone whose life is in struggle or as I will do, with members of my book club. Savor this book with an appreciative heart and a warm cup of tea.
This book is well written and the illustrations make the lessons of the book come alive.

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Can't wait for the sequels!Review Date: 2007-02-03
A new twist on an old horror staple.Review Date: 2006-08-17
The bloodletting has just begun!!!Review Date: 2006-08-14
Delightfully DirtyReview Date: 2006-07-08
TPT & V---Horror set on the wrong side of the tracks Review Date: 2006-05-18
If however, you like your vampires dark, unpredictable and bloodthirsty, with an animalistic axe to grind against the food chain of humanity - with lots of good ol' american sex and violence mixed in...You should proceed on pawning your Playstation or VCR now to get the money to get a copy of this book. Now. Right now.
This book is more in the range of say, Dean Koontz or Stephen King in his Richard Bachman era:
Gritty and full of vivid characters who you can empathize and identify with and set in an area that could really be anywhere, including your hometown. Pick this book up, and you will be compelled to finish it.
Great story and would make a great movie. If you consider yourself a horror fan, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy.

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Smart and FunnyReview Date: 2007-09-07
hmmm, he did tell us so.Review Date: 2007-09-07
As the title suggests, Lloyd Dangle's "Troubletown" cartoon has been telling us what's what--and making us laugh--week in and week out since he began cartooning during Lord Reagan's reign.
This plump collection has all the tidbits you need from the last few years--from the divisive confirmation hearing of Vlad the Impaler to How A Bill Becomes A Law (Pole dancing is involved).
Cleverly disguised as a cartoon collection, this History book is presented in chronological order, which may be of use to someone desiring an absurdist trip down memory lane. For myself, the years-long assault on reason has blended all the nightmarish events together, so I'm thankful to Dangle for reminding me that Frist diagnosed Terry Schiavo via TV before the Korans were flushed down the toilet.
Forget the memoirs and dour political tomes--cartoon collections tell the true story of our turbulent times.
Americans Should Pay More Attention to Their Comics!Review Date: 2008-04-28
Reading these comics has become an addiction for me, especially because they're so language intensive. Each five-by-five inch square is packed with a full service laugh. One might think a book of cartoons is a quick read, but this isn't the case with the collection, "Troubletown Told You So: Comics that Could've Saved Us from this Mess." You'll want to spend time on each page and not miss the subtle notations and political barbs within the drawings. Indeed, many are amazingly prophetic, and evoked a sad-but-true reaction from me--even while I was laughing.
Good for the coffee table or the powder room collection, you might want to keep this away from your Republican acquaintances as they surely won't appreciate the humor. But your well-read, intellectual friends (particularly those who peruse daily newspapers and have registered as political "independents") will marvel at Dangle's ironic, right-on take on the mess that is American politics.
Michele Cozzens, Author of A Line Between Friends and The Things I Wish I'd Said.
We are in TroubleReview Date: 2007-09-07
best one yetReview Date: 2007-07-31
I always find a really different perspective when I read Troubletown, Dangle sees the world through an amazing filter. I think he must be one of the most studious, well-read of political cartoonists working today.
This book is a great deal-chock full of a great years output- and it's samll and easy to carry! The perfect birthday present!
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garfield comicsReview Date: 2008-01-12
A Handsome Volume Completes This Post-doc's LibraryReview Date: 2001-09-16
The Twelfth Garfield Fat Cat 3 PackReview Date: 2003-03-16
I even gat a detention durring reading class from laughing so hard!!!!
Jon Davis strikes againReview Date: 2002-08-22
The more you read.. ...the more you love him!!Review Date: 2004-05-21

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Humor will help you thrive.Review Date: 2001-03-03
Wonderful bookReview Date: 2001-02-20
Corporate comedyReview Date: 2001-02-20
Great Insights by a Former Corporate WarriorReview Date: 2000-11-19
Reading The Twenty Year Itch was like reading my own diary!Review Date: 1999-10-10

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So clever!Review Date: 2005-10-23
Finally--comedy I can put in my purse!Review Date: 2005-11-10
This book was coolReview Date: 2005-11-04
The presentation of this book is very unique and creative and the billboards are very funny.
If you buy this for someone they will love you a little more for it.
I was in a big fight with one of my friends and I bought this book for them as a peace offering and now we are back to being friends and all prior wounds have been healed. Who knew that a little refrigerator shaped box of magnets could have worked such magic. Thanks Scott this book is a gosh darn miracle.
Finally! Something Better Than Books!Review Date: 2005-11-01
Makes a nifty giftReview Date: 2005-11-01
Dave says, "These billboards are sick, perverted, gross, and tasteless. But in a good way."
Folks, that is DAVE BARRY. Enough said. I've always loved the billboards and now 10 of them are on my refrigerator holding up a shopping list from 1998 that I'll get around to sooner or later.
The little book that comes with the magnets is a funny read as well. Kudos to the dribbleglass.com people.

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Intriguing trivia, facts, and history about the world of musicReview Date: 2008-08-14
Uncle John's MUSICReview Date: 2008-07-16
A fine read!Review Date: 2008-07-08
Fun ReadReview Date: 2008-07-06
Great reading....Review Date: 2008-06-21
Related Subjects: Parodies
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