Satire Books

This book is fun and funny. It has pearls of wisdom (Let someone else be the photographer for your kids events, you should be in there participating), and good ideas. This is a PERFECT gift for a first time father.

This is the ONLY parenting book my husband ever took to heart, for all it's humourous delivery. Whenever he jingles some coin in his pocket we think of this book!

This book was amazing. It was like reading about my childhood all over. Hugh O'Neill can bring the reader into the story like you can lead an elephant to water. The stories about the 2 kids Becky O'neill and Josh O'neill are laugh out loud funny. If you are a parent a future parent or somone who needs some family adventures. You should Definatly read this book. It can be enjoyed by all.

I am a teenage girl who was raised on the Daddy Cool system. My father has always been an extremely cool, creative parent. (He has taught me more about explosives than my mom would care to know.) One day, I saw an ancient, battered copy of a book called Daddy Cool in our bookshelf. Surprise, surprise-after reading only a few pages I spotted several habits that my dad has. (See the part about Cooking Cool.)
Although unorthodox, this book has some great, not to mention hilarious, ideas. Of course, I have never been a parent myself, but as I said before, I was raised on the system, and I turned out ok.

I read this book and broke into LOUD gales of laughter on the F train. I bought 15 copies and sent them to my three sisters and all my closest female friends. They laughed harder. This is what it's like to be a single woman today. And even a not-so-single woman today.

I gave the book to my roommate when it first came out. We were both young professionals and we could relate to the book.

Although the book is a collection of anecdotals essays, I still quote them as pearls of wisdom.

What a great read!

This book is so great! It's stories are clever, funny, and totally true. I've read it more times than I can remember, just because it always puts a smile on my face. Buy it. NOW.

Cathy Guisewite once commented that she has three sisters, but did not give her alter ego siblings because they're like "three women sharing a brain." After reading this book, it's utterly undeniable.

Mickey Guisewite, Cathy's sister, pens a hilarious tale of the modern woman, her career, her relationships, her home life, and why all of them are disastrous and conflicting. All in a style very reminiscent of her sister. Can you trust a girlfriend not to tell her husband about the shoulder pad that wandered down your chest? Can you angrily confront a man in the office without sniveling? Can you get a boyfriend to pick up a container of Windex? How do you choose one of the four million "white" paint chips? And what can you do when the fifteen pairs of shoes JUST DON'T MATCH the dress for the Big Meeting?

The real-life relatives and significant others resemble characters in Cathy as well (one can see from where the cartoonist gets her inspiration): the obsessively thrifty, why-aren't-you-married-dear mother, the golf-obsessed boyfriend, the father who arrives at the airport six hours early, the married friends who whip out ten thousand ugly baby photos, the friend she eats lunch with, and so forth.

Amusing anecdotes (that probably wouldn't be allowed in a strip) include the woman who shrieked "I'M NOT WEARING UNDERWEAR!" in a crowded party, and the gal who had to call her mom for help when her merry widow got caught in her bedspread. These tales of romance, food, and humiliation will make you laugh, cry, then laugh a bit more.

Micky Guisewite has a hilarious style and plenty of emotional crises to unload. Well worth the read, and the reread! (Illustrated with little one-panel cartoons by Cathy Guisewite--also hilarious! They're worth the book alone...)

Henry Has A Great book here that has held my interest and made me laugh every time I pick it up. I feel like I am right in the room with the people in the book and look forward to seeing what will happen next.
I have recomended this to my friends and family...cant wait for the next one Henry!
Jack

The humor is very dark and dry. Just my cup of tea. (Cups of dark tea figure in the story.) But the book is more than that. Exquisite passages of prose and fully realized characters pull you in and keep you going until the end. In fact, I didn't want it to end. And I want a Lena, too!

Henry Catenacci's "A Deed Without a Name" is a wonderful novel set in New York City. The writing is lyrical and beautiful and captivates the reader immediately. I loved the story because I lived in NYC and can relate to the dark, hilarious life and the characters that make the city, the characters and personalities that Henry has developed so beautifully. He gives it all to his novel and I recommend it highly. It is a great book by a great artist.

A wonderful book by a promising writer. The characters are well defined, the dialogue is witty and rings true, the plot is imaginative pulling you from one page to the next. I sat down over the weekend and read it from cover to cover.

This book is reprinting the stories from when Max Allan Collins took over the strip in 1978, and this collection contains some strips from 1978-1979 and three stories.

Angeltop's Last Stand, where the children of a couple of Tracy's enemies come back.

The Return of Haf-and-Haf, where the two faced guy gets some plastic surgery.

The longest story is Big Boy's revenge, which is about half the book. Tracy's old enemy gets out of jail, and puts a million dollar open contract on the detective.

He wanted these for christmas last year..I finally decided to get it and he is already done with the book and waiting for the second one!!

I was never much of a Dick Tracy fan, but this collection has made me take notice of the classic comic strip detective. Collecting January through December of 1978, this is the first full year written by Max Alan Collins (Road to Perdition) and drawn by creator Chester Gould's assistant Rick Fletcher. It brings Dick Tracy into the "modern era", but it doesn't give him or his cast a makeover. Tracy is up against multiple antagonists: an old foe who is losing his influence, the vengeful descendants of other old foes, and the nosy reporter who portrays him as a relic of a more violent time. Collins' plotting and storytelling will keep you on your toes, and Fletcher's artwork, while extremely faithful to Gould's quirky renderings, is very stylized and clean. The best part is how Collins and Fletcher work together to present a masterful example of pacing. This collection is an excellent example of the narrative style of the serialized comic strip.

I am not a fan of much of Max Allan Collins' work, but this book is a great exception. The reprints of the first three storylines that Collins wrote are very entertaining and make for an enjoyable read.

The first storyline features Angeltop, the popular Flattop's daughter, and the son of the Brow. The next storyline revolves around the Two-Face type villain Haf-and-Haf. Both of these stories were already reprinted in other Dick Tracy books. The final storyline (and most interesting) has to do with an aged and dying Big Boy offering an open contract to kill Dick Tracy. Collins tips his hat to favorite Chester Gould villains and other characters and cleans up a few of Gould's (I hate to say it) mistakes like Moon Maid. Good story, well-paced, great artwork.

I look forward to the future volumes of this series. I am disappointed by the Dick Locher cover--a Fletcher cover would have seemed more appropriate.

I adore this book! Edith Ann is so insightful, funny and charming. This book will truly brighten up your day and make you laugh. An absolute MUST for Lily Tomlin fans!!!

This book tells stories through the eyes of a child that are more of parables to adults that take life WAY too seriously. I've read this book several times, and each time it brings back a piece of my childhood that I shouldn't forget, and it teaches me things about life that I should always remember. Edith Ann's life thus far should be an example to our lives as we continue to complicate things and remain over-stressed...Read it!

As you read the pithy observations of Edith Ann, you have to imagine Lily Tomlin perched in the oversized rocking chair. I can hear her voice as Edith Ann says, "My mom says I have to be more positive and I say life has to be more positive too or it's just not going to work."
You can't help but smile (and sometimes laugh out loud) as you read Edith Ann's comments about being a kid. Sometimes she gives her opinions on grown up issues too. Fun...Fun...Fun
The book is 191 pages, but is a quick read with little sketches and plenty of white space. "Growing up can take a lifetime," according to Edith Ann.

Edith Ann is charming. With the simplicity of a child, she faces fears that we all deal with. When I feel that I am losing any part of my childhood, I reach for this book. You should too.

...but David's insights into the corporate world are great! He knows what its like to work in a place that Dilbert knows so well. I think this is a fun book to read at Starbucks on Friday morning when you don't want to go to work. I can't wait for the next book from Mr. Cordell. He's a bright point for a dull day.

A great book to pass around the office on break time ... just put it behind your back fast if the boss walks by! The best parts are the god-aweful funny "illustrations" of the author in various compromising situations. Imagine the "Copy Crusader" standing bravely in his cape ontop the office copy machine, defending it from all would-be copiers. Now THAT would be a classic way to end an era of 9-5 misery ... hey, if you're lucky they might even have to call the fire department to talk you down from the paper tray.

Whether you are seriously looking to burn a bridge or just want a good laugh, this book is worth getting (and sharing).

...David Cordell is a genius! I've never read anything that made me want to simultaneously piss and crap myself at once! This book takes life in an office cube farm to a whole new level. Great for keeping in a desk drawer for easy reference when your boss asks to see your TPS reports.

This book is very hilarious and crucial for those who want to live on the edge! The author definitely has an obscure way of looking at life! There are things in this book I would like to do just to see if I can get away with it. Somewhat offensive at times and definitely imaginative, this is a great gift for someone who truly hates his or her job! Perfect for putting on the coffee table and flipping through occasionally to give yourself a good laugh! Since there are so many references to the "bathroom" in this book, I guess it would also make a great bathroom book!

The author uses his quick wit, dry sense of humor and flair for writing to describe what many of us go through after suddenly being shown the door after years of dedication at a company. But he doesn't harp on the issue and quickly moves on to many other of life's imperfections and brings to life some incredibly colorful characters and places. A quick read that leaves a lasting memory. Great for those who are hard pressed to actually get to the last chapter of any book.

Ray Zardetto's parody showcased his witty sense of humor, wacky world (other worldly) view and a talent for painting a scene. This was a light, fun read -- a pleasing surprise from this first-time author. His funny jokes and dialogue, well-described characters and ending twist made it a new favorite. Can't wait to read more.

Ray Zardetto's parody of Mitch Albom's beautuiful book is a clever romp through what life must be like growing up on the Jersey shore and working at one of the famed Ma Bell spinoffs. It is well conceived and witty in places, though much of the humor is slapstick. What really shines in the book is his character development; all of his 'jerks' seem real, especially his ex-boss, a clueless New Jersey technology executive. While the book is nowhere near as inspirational or thought provoking as Albom's book, it is entertaining, and the plot twist at the end will have readers (especially men) reevaluating some of their relationships. Definitely worth a read.

This is a fun, quick read with memorable charaters and funny situations. The ending is a nice twist and overall it represents a fantasy we have all had at one time or another.

Liza Donnelly has written a great book, a book I have been waiting for. I'm embarrassed to say it's been out a while and I've just discovered it... but Funny Ladies is well researched, well-written, funny and enlightening. The history of women cartoonists at the New Yorker follows the history of women in the 20th century, and reading this book is and eye-opener on both levels. I was thrilled to learn more about cartoonists I'd heard of and discover ones I had not. And learning more about the founders of the New Yorker, Harold Ross and Jane Grant, plus the role cartoon editors there have played over time, is enlightening.

A great book, great read, great find.

Thanks to the cartoonist/author. There are precious few of us, and I'm so happy you preserved this portion of our history.

"The New Yorker" is universally considered to be the best magazine and it regularly runs cartoons. Unlike many other cartoons noted for their in-your-face approach, the message of the cartoons in "The New Yorker" is generally very subtle. Many great cartoonists have had their work featured in the magazine, and some of them were women. This is their story.
It is one that in general is concurrent with what happened in the rest of society. In the early years, there were few career opportunities open to women and their work was evaluated in different ways. The twenties were a time of advancement, but the hard reality of the depression in the thirties had an overall negative effect on the status of women. Once the Second World War began, women were needed in every capacity, so their stock once again rose, only to fall back down after the war and into the reactionary fifties. Finally, the overall advancements in the role of women in the sixties and seventies destroyed all barriers to women cartoonists.
Through it all, the pioneers struggled with their drawings and captions, using them to make important statements about the world that existed around them. It was a world that they struggled against, yet eventually emerged triumphant through the success of those of their gender that succeeded them. As much as anything, this book is a chronicle of the emergence of women from the "pedestal of assumed inferiority" to one where their work is appreciated, respected and expected.

This is not a cartoon collection, it's a history - but it does include cartoons by every one of the cartoonists mentioned. It slightly before the founding of The New Yorker, with how the magazine came to be, and how Ross's independent wife (her name was Jane Grant, and she didn't change it when she got married) was an influence on what he expected the readership of the magazine to be, and who he would accept as writers and illustrators.

Some of the highlights: learning more about Helen Hokinson, much of whose stuff is still funny; the sad fate of Mary Petty. There was a little too much about Donnelly herself in there, but I guess I can understand the impulse. This really did bring out some of the developments in the glass ceiling for particular kinds of women artists.

When one thinks about WW2, and women filling jobs that used to be men's, one thinks of Rosie the Riveter - until I read this book, it had not occurred to me that women also filled the men's jobs as cartoonists at The New Yorker! The section on the war era includes some of the funniest cartoons.

Of course Roz Chast is included in here - quite possibly my favorite contemporary cartoonist. I greatly enjoyed the details about how she got into cartooning, and seeing how changes in her own stages of life have made it into her cartoons.

I think the book as a whole is the same sort of mix as the magazine - interesting articles, punctuated by cartoons. So if you like the magazine, you should enjoy the book!

FUNNY LADIES: THE NEW YORKER'S GREATEST WOMEN CARTOONISTS AND THEIR CARTOONS could easily have been featured in our 'Cartoons and Graphic Novels' section, but is reviewed here for its ability to appeal beyond the usual confines of the cartoonist fan's world. Over the decades a growing core of female artists has been creating New Yorker cartoons weekly: Liza Donnelly, herself a New Yorker cartoonist for over twenty years, provides a history of women's humor and its evolution, pairing an anthology of cartoons with a survey of the genre in a wonderful, vivid overview.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I could not put this book down. It was so funny. I felt like I could relate to every word of it. I wanted to spread the word about this book so I reviewed it for the library newsletter, which I work. I think everyone with glasses should read this. I was almost afraid to read it because I didn't want to be let down. This book exceeded my expectations.

I really enjoyed this book,,,really brought back memories. It made me smile, brought a tear to my eyes,,and had me laughing out loud,,,and happy to be a girl who wears glasses. I think one special thing about the book for me was it made me feel young again!!!

This book is witty, beautifully written, and rings so true! I remember hiding behind a tree watching for my intended victim (boyfriend) peeking out with my glasses on, and when I spotted him, whipping the specs off, stepping out and pretending I had seen him all along. Later came the agony of HARD contact lenses etc., etc. The interesting part of this book is that it can be a wonderful metaphor for anything that makes anyone who is the least bit different (especially teenagers). Oh the suffering! Girls out there, this book is for You! Unless, of course, you were captain of the cheer-leading squad and had mammoth boobs. This girl was the only person who was REALLY happy in high school. Most of the rest of us barely managed to survive.

This is the perfect holiday gift for any girl with glasses in your life!

This is the book that made Ed Wood famous. It's an insightful look at some of Hollywood's most amusing groaners. I was particularly impressed by the author's selection of the worst career actors - folks such as Richard Burton and Tony Curtis - my reaction was surprise at first, followed by admiration for the author's perception. A 21st century update would be great (Battlefield Earth & Travolta really need to be recognized) but I doubt if the modern stuff can beat out the 1950's classics. This book will have you heading to the video store to review some of Holywood's great clunkers.

This book, while several years old now, is still as funny as the day it was first printed. The writing is a hoot and a guaranteed laugh maker. It looks at some the the most ridiculous, outlandish and just plain "what were they thinking" movies ever made. Wish the authors would come up with a more recent book with movies that have come out since this was printed.

The book is pretty old now, and so many "turkeys" from the last couple of decades are missing, but it is fabulous at running down the best lousy movies primarily of the golden age of lousy movies, the '30s, '40s & '50s. Not surprisingly, there is a heavy emphasis on sci-fi and horror, which has tended over the lifetime of film to give us some real gems anyway.

This is the book that first turned me on to PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, ROBOT MONSTER and their ilk. I've enjoyed my time watching horrible movies (on purpose) and this book lays the groundwork. It is essential reading, not just for bad movie buffs, but for anyone who likes movie history. It is written with often scathingly funny humor. I have read this book a number of times over the years, because it is SO well written. Generous quotes directly from the films, but also great descriptions of the movies. Many times, you feel as though you've seen the movie.

If you can lay your hands on this book, you must. It (and the sequel) are real treasures!!

This is a must read for anyone who grew up with, or who loves, the movies around the 1950's. It is presented in an "Oscar format" with comments and thumbnail descriptions by the Brothers Medved. Their love for these movies is evident; their humor is direct and presents perspective on actors, Hollywood, directors, plots, and America, in a time of greater innocence and before special effects were king. Hours of fun and a great guide to late movies. I was paging through this book in a bookstore when I saw the heading, "The Worst Movie Ever Made." Well, I knew what was the worst movie ever made, but was also sure the reviewers had never seen it. When I turned to see their choice--it was the same one! I bought the book on the spot and have been giving copies to special friends as gifts ever since.