Humour collections and anthologies Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA charming gift book of pleas, put downs, misplaced career guidance and character assessments collected from the school reports and memoirs of celebrities and ordinary people from across the UK and Ireland. Featuring household names such as Benedict Cumberbatch, David Bowie, Sandi Toksvig, Sir Billy Connolly, and even members of the Royal family, this collection will have readers laughing and digging out their own school reports.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollowing the success of Don''ts for Husbands and Don''ts for Wives a brand new old collection of advice for couples from courtship to the honeymoon.On looking for a partner in life:Don''t single out a girl if you do not intend to propose to her, for the way in which your conduct is regarded will be greatly influenced by your banking accountOn The Question:Don''t rush but chose an auspicious moment, A man who tries to propose when a servant is expected to arrive with a scuttle of coals is not likely to meet with much favour.On the Engagement:Don''t allow awkward pauses to break the conversation because your thoughts and eyes are hungrily trying to follow your lover, who is manfully assisting the hostess.On Planning The Event:Don''t forget that elderly bridesmaids in youthful frocks and girlish hats are ridiculous to the unthinking, and pathetic to those who look below the surface.On GifTable of Contents1. Choosing a Spouse 2. The Courtship 3. The Question of Age 4. The Proposal 5. Celebrating the Engagement 6. The Engaged Couple 7. Should Matters go Awry 8. Elopements 9. Preparations, Gowns and the Trousseau 10. The Invitations 11. Wedding Presents 12. Setting up Home 13. Banns and Legal Formalities 14. Planning the Day 15. The Bride 16. The Bridesmaids 17. The Groom and Best Man 18. The Reception 19. The Honeymoon 20. The Newly-Married Couple in Society 21. Marriages Requiring Further Thought 22. Second Marriages

Read more less

Book Synopsis301 of the best worst dad jokes, with original illustrations, dad joke facts, joke-telling pointers, and profiles of legendary dad jokers, all in a handsome, giftable package.

Read more less

Book Synopsis*** 365 joy filled tasks to make your life more engaging, fun, caring and jolly ***

Read more less

Book SynopsisA classically funny cartoon collection by Tim Whyatt.People of a certain age will recognise the 'senior moments' in Tim Whyatt's cartoons, from relying on children for technical support, to being told it's no longer acceptable to wear lycra. Senior Moments: Older But No Wiser is a hilarious collection of some of the best cartoons from two-time 'Henries' winner, Tim Whyatt, depicting the highs, lows and laughter of growing old.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Humour Book of the Year A special reissue from Head of Zeus's bestselling anthology series of the funniest stories ever written, selected by comedian Paul Merton. From Anton Chekhov to Ali Smith, from P.G. Wodehouse to Nora Ephron, the greatest writers are those who know how to laugh. Here, award-winning comedian and broadcaster Paul Merton brings together his favourite funny stories of all time. Whether it's the silly, surreal, slap-stick or satirical that makes you smile, there's a story here to tickle every funny bone. From prize-winners and literary giants, to stand-up comedians and the rising stars of funny literature, this brilliant anthology is guaranteed to cheer your day.Trade ReviewAnybody who dips into Funny Ha, Ha [...] will emerge many hours later filled not only with pleasure and delight, but also with a sense of gratitude to Merton for choosing so well * The Times *Comprehensively joyful * Sunday Times *As you might expect from as singular a comic talent as Paul Merton, this compilation of his favourite funny stories offers material both hilarious and unusual * Guardian *A mixture of old favourites [...] and new discoveries... You're bound to find stories that put a smile on your face' * Daily Mirror *Poignant as well as funny... There are plenty of belly laughs... Whatever your taste in humour, the book is so vast you are bound to find stories to put a smile on your face' * Sunday Express *Extremely funny... [An] eclectic, wide-ranging anthology' * Sunday Times *Easy to dip in and out of * Scotsman *Such gems that they are well worth another outing... The book does indeed have its charms' -- HeraldWhether it's the silly, surreal, slapstick or satirical that tickles your funny bone, there's a tale here to suit in this chunky collection of 80 funny short stories * This England. *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhich king ordered everyone to bed at 8pm? How many Pot Noodles are sold every second in Great Britain? How many streets must a London cabbie memorise in order to pass 'the knowledge'? How much does the hammer of Big Ben's bell weigh? If you want to know the answers to these and a whole host of other questions about Blighty, then this is the book for you! Great Britain is a nation steeped in history, traditions and terrible food. But how much do we really know about our weird and wonderful island? In this informative, amusing and fun compendium of knowledge, author Hannah Warner reveals a host of things you probably don't - but should - know about your country. This entertaining collection includes fascinating facts about royalty, politics, history, food and drink, sport, writers, transport - and even Great British failures. It is a celebration of the great and the good (plus those who were not so great but tried hard) from this land. So once you've taken the bulldog for a walk, queued for your fish and chips, made a nice cup of tea and put your feet up, sit back and revel in all that is glorious about Great Britain!

Read more less

Book SynopsisA.A. Milne, best known as the author of the classic Winnie-the-Pooh stories, was a successful writer long before his children’s stories launched him to overnight success. Milne himself disliked being relegated as a children’s author. At the age of twenty-three, he was appointed the Assistant Editor of Punch. He claimed ‘I know no work manual or mental to equal the appalling heart-breaking anguish of fetching an idea from nowhere.’ Milne had a talent for regularly turning out a thousand whimsical words on lost hats and umbrellas, tennis, dogs, faulty geysers, dotty maids, women loading film in a camera, the English obsession with rank and titles, cheap cigars, and any amount of life’s other little difficulties. He was praised for being able to produce ‘with apparently effortless ease and the utmost gaiety’ articles notable for their ‘enchanting ingenuity’. But there was another, more serious side to Milne. After serving in World War 1, where he survived the Somme, Milne was invalided home with trench fever in 1916. His experiences made him a committed and vocal pacifist. War was nothing but ‘mental and moral degradation’. His fiercely argued pacifism was ahead of his time, and forms some of his most powerful work.;This selection of Milne’s articles, spanning over four decades of his life from 1910 to 1952, are collected for the first time in this volume, including his passionately argued writings on pacifism. The writings demonstrate his trademark wit, varied genius, little-known political views, and nostalgia for a lost era.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisBrian Bilston has been described as Twitter's unofficial Poet Laureate. With over 400,000 followers on social media, Brian has become truly beloved by the online community. He has published collections of poetry, You Took the Last Bus Home; Alexa, what is there to know about love?; and Days Likes These. His novel Diary of a Somebody was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award. He has also published a collection of football poetry, 50 Ways to Score a Goal, and his acclaimed poem Refugees has been made into an illustrated book for children.Trade ReviewBrian Bilston is a laureate for our fractured times -- Ian McMillanBilston is a magician with words * The Guardian *Part John Cooper Clarke, part Frank Sidebottom . . . brilliant * Esquire *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAmerica’s most beloved wiseass finally tells his life story with all the humor you’d expect from a man who made a career out of making fun of pretty much everything.How does the son of a Presbyterian minister wind up winning a Pulitzer Prize for writing a wildly inaccurate newspaper column read by millions of people? In Class Clown, Dave Barry takes us on a hilarious ride, starting with a childhood largely spent throwing rocks for entertainment—there was no internet—and preparing for nuclear war by hiding under a classroom desk. After literally getting elected class clown in high school, he went to college, where, as an English major, he read snippets of great literature when he was not busy playing in a rock band (it was the sixties). He began his journalism career at a small-town Pennsylvania newspaper where he learned the most important rule of local journalism: never confuse a goose with a duck. His journey then took a detour into the business world, where as a writing consultant he spent years trying, with limited success, to get corporate folks to, for God’s sake, get the point. Somehow from there he wound up as a humor columnist for The Miami Herald, where his boss was a wild man who encouraged him to write about anything that struck him as amusing and to never worry about alienating anyone. His columns were not popular with everyone: He managed to alienate a vast army of Neil Diamond fans, and the entire state of Indiana. But he also developed a loyal following of readers who alerted him to the threat of exploding toilets, not to mention the fire hazards posed by strawberry pop-tarts and Rollerblade Barbie, which he demonstrated to the nation on the David Letterman show. He led his readers on a crusade against telemarketers that ultimately caused the national telemarketers association to stop answering its own phones because it was getting—irony alert—too many unwanted calls. He has also run for president multiple times, although so far without success. He became a book author and joined a literary rock band, which was not good at playing music but did once perform with Bruce Springsteen, who sang backup to Dave. As for his literary merits, Dave writes: “I’ll never have the critical acclaim of, say, Marcel Proust. But was Marcel Proust ever on Carson? Did he ever steal a hotel sign for Oprah?” Class Clown isn’t just a memoir; it’s a vibrant celebration of a life rich with humor, absurdity, joy, and sadness. Dave says the most important wisdom imparted by his Midwestern parents was never to take anything too seriously. This laughter-filled book is proof that he learned that lesson well.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWho rose to enduring fame on Blood and Typewriters, told the pregnant Portia of the Chambers it would come out in the end, advised Guthrie Featherstone, Q.C., to adopt a more judicial attitude, returned in the tender gloaming of each evening-via Pommeroy's and a glass of Chateau Fleet Street- to She Who Must Be Obeyed? The answer is Horace Rumpole whose legal triumphs, plundering stories into the Oxford Book of English Verse and less-than-salubrious hat are celebrated here in this first omnibus edition.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGirl: Giz a kiss.' Bloke: Let me swally me phlegm first.' Two aul dears queuing for the no. 27 bus. Just caught the end of the conversation: Old dear #1: Sure whoaya tellin. De kids dees days is terrible bold.' Old dear #2: And ye know it's not de parents I blame, it's the mudders an fadders.' Country girl gets on no. 16 bus and asks driver how much is the fare. Driver replies, Where are you going?' Country girl says, To get my hair done!' While visiting the Mater Hospital, hearing an old man complaining about the current conditions in hospital and being kept in a unisex environment: Old Man (to his daughter): I'm 92 years old and here I am being left on a bed in a corridor with all these other patients, and to make it worst it's bisexual!' Heard a girl answer her phone in the waiting room of Holles Street Maternity Hospital: Well, tell me, am I an Auntie or an Uncle?' D4 girl at Lansdowne Road for the All Blacks match. Just as the All Blacks begin the Haka, one girl says, Oh,

Read more less

Book SynopsisHugh Murphy is a 28 year old student at the University of Southern California, Ostrow School of Dentistry. Hugh began his career as an artist selling watercolor paintings of fish in order to pay for his applications to dental school, but has always enjoyed drawing and painting in his free time as an outlet. He loves science, nature films, his wife, Sarah, and shark week. T-Rex Trying began as a joke between Hugh and his brother, and is his first book.Hugh and Sarah moved to Los Angeles from Boston in August, 2010.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor Gervase Phinn growing old is not about a leisurely walk to the pub for a game of dominoes or snoozing in his favourite armchair. As this sparkling collection of his very best humorous writing shows, he may be ''out of the woods'' but he is certainly not ''over the hill''.Looking back over more than sixty years of family life, teaching, inspecting schools, writing and public speaking, Gervase never fails to unearth humour, character, warmth and wisdom from the most diverse of experiences, whether they be growing up in Rotherham with the most un-Yorkshirelike of names or describing why loud mobile phone users get his goat.Brimming with nostalgia, gently mocking life''s absurdities, never shy of an opinion, this is Gervase Phinn at his wittiest, twinkly-eyed best.Trade ReviewFor those of us of a certain age, Out of the Woods but not Over the Hill is a wonderfully cheering title. When Gervase Phinn receives his peerage for services to good-heartedness, this will be the motto on his coat of arms: "Ex silvis sed non supra montem."... This entertaining and moving homework earns a good few merit marks. Gervase Phinn is not going downhill yet, by a long chalk on a blackboard * Independent, Jonathan Sale *Packed with hilarious yarns on family, growing up and growing old, this is a marvellous book * Express *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith her freckles and sports kit, Peppermint Patty shares her outlook on life in this beautifully produced gift book for all generations. In her incomparable style, Peppermint Patty spends her days trying to persuade her best friend Marcie to stop calling her 'Sir', misunderstanding pretty much everyone around her, falling asleep in class, talking to Charlie Brown about matters of the heart and accepting kisses on the nose from Snoopy. For the millions of faithful Charles Schulz fans, and those who fondly remember this forthright little tomboy, this new series of books sees the beguiling Peanuts gang share their sentiments on everything from food to friendship.Trade ReviewI became obsessed . . . It's hilarious. We all went to school with a Lucy, or a Linus -- JUDE LAWThe world of Peanuts is a microcosm, a little human comedy for the innocent reader and for the sophisticated -- UMBERTO ECOCharles Schulz was, plain and simple, a great artist and philosopher . . . But most importantly, he teaches all ages that if you can learn to laugh at the things that cause you the most pain you will be the strongest of all. Peanuts: a real way of life -- JOHN WATERSIt's impossible to think of another popular art form that reaches across generations the way the daily comic strip does . . . at the pinnacle of that long tradition, there was Charles Schulz * * Seattle Times * *Charles Schulz was an American treasure - an artist, philosopher, and keen observer of human life -- BILL CLINTON

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fifth collection of classic Peanuts newspaper comic strips features 248 daily strips from 1955-1958 and feature Snoopy, perhaps Peanuts most popular character, certainly when it comes to cainines! This book is a facsimile edition of the fifth Peanuts collection originally published back in 1958 by the Clarke, Irwin & Company, Ltd of Toronto, Canada. This collection of 248 daily Peanuts newspaper strips that appeared between 1955 -1958 focuses on, perhaps the most famous character in the Peanuts universe, Charlie Brown's Beagle, Snoopy. Whether he's chasing snow flakes, doing impersonations or just dancing his world famous happy jig, things are always going to a little sillier when Snoopy's around. The strip's bitter-sweet humour and child-like innocence helped to cement the Peanuts comic strip's popularity and secure its reputation as a true, one-of-a-kind, timeless classic.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDogs throughout history have enjoyed a special relationship with humankind, and our favourite four-legged creatures continue to grow in popularity. The writers and poets collected within this anthology reflect on the joys and pitfalls of dog ownership with brilliant wit, insight, and affection. From Roald Amundsen’s account of using and eating sled dogs in his expedition to the South Pole, to J.R. Ackerley’s tender portrayal of his ill-behaved dog Tulip, ON DOGS traces the canine’s journey from working animal to pampered pet. With a humorous introduction by Tracey Ullman (an inveterate adopter of strays), and 6 characterful dog portraits by animal photographer Rhian ap Gruffydd and a cover image by Picasso of his dog Lump. Contributors include Alice Walker, Charles Dickens, James Thurber, Miranda Hart, Brigitte Bardot, A.A. Gill, David Sedaris, Barbara Woodhouse, and many more.Trade Review"The infectious joy of dogs figures large in On Dogs: An Anthology, introduced by the actor and comedian Tracey Ullman. Although she is a devoted dog-lover…the selections in the anthology are not all feel-good. S everal are dark or poignant pieces on a dog’s death; others offer sour or sardonic comments on pet dogs. The collection is an eclectic mixture drawn from fiction, poems, anecdotes, and scientific or philosophical essays….It is… an enjoyable collection in which many aspects of our complex relationship with dogs are touched on.” — David E. Cooper, The TLS “This heartwarming compendium includes short essays, stories, reflections and poetry from note- worthy writers ranging from Virginia Woolf and David Sedaris to Shakespeare and Brigitte Bardot. A linen-bound hardcover sized to fit perfectly in the hand, it’s ideal for gift-giving.” — The Bark “Introduced by Tracey Ullman, this elegant, pocketsize tribute to our most loyal friends is realised in excerpts from novels, poems and literary theory.” — Louise Darblay, Art ReviewTable of ContentsContributors: Shakespeare, Alice Walker, Charles Dickens, Alexandre Dumas, James Thurber, Miranda Hart, Roald Amundsen, Will Self, Roger Scruton, Mikhail Bulgakov, J.M. Barrie, Jack London, Barbara Woodhouse, Lord Byron, Brigitte Bardot, A.A. Gill, J.R. Ackerley, Jack London, John Steinbeck, David Sedaris, Virginia Woolf, Attila Jozsef, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Dr Temple Grandin, Vita Sackville-West, Barbara Woodhouse, George Catlin, Elizabeth Gaskill, Kathryn Hughes, David Redmalm, Father Mark Osborne, Heli Chatelain, Eileen Battersby, Wislawa Szymborska & the Dowager Empress of China Tzu-his.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSir Winston Churchill remains a British hero, lauded for his oratorical skill. He wrote histories, biographies, memoirs, and even a novel, while his journalism, speeches and broadcasts run to millions of words. From 1940 he inspired and united the British people and guided their war effort. Behind the public figure, however, was a man of vast humanity and enormous wit. His most famous speeches and sayings have passed into history but many of his aphorisms, puns and jokes are less well known. This enchanting collection brings together hundreds of his wittiest remarks as a record of all that was best about this endearing, conceited, talented and wildly funny Englishman. Also available in the series:(9781782433651) The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II(9781782435426) The Wicked Wit of Oscar Wilde(9781782435662) The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE HILARIOUS, MUST-HAVE HANDBOOK FOR ANYONE WHO HAS HAD TO ENDURE THE BULLSH*T OF THE MODERN WORKING WORLD. Are you a total failure at work? Do you struggle with simple tasks like using the phrase moving forward in every email? Have you never used the word synergies in a LinkedIn post? You need W*nkernomics.Picture the scene. You''re sitting in a meeting at work. Your colleagues are deep in serious discussion. Terry says he wants an end-to-end, digital-first solution by COB Friday. Fiona says she''ll have to take that offline and circle back later. And then quite suddenly, you catch yourself thinking, ''hang on... what the f*ck are they talking about?'' Like, seriously, what do those words even mean?W*nkernomics is for anyone who has ever been told to reach out, touch base, drill down, or optimise their ducks on the same songsheet. Learn how to:* Navigate endless meetings* Master passive aggressive emails* Outmanoeuvre your colleagues with nothing more than an obnoxious LinkedIn profile, a pack of Post-it Notes and the phrase ''circle back''.W*nkernomics will help you navigate workplace hell like a boss.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAway, you scullion, you rampallion, you fustilarian! Along with penning some of the most sublime passages in all of English Literature, Shakespeare was a master when it came to casting a wicked comeback or hurling a barbed insult. Whether it's Prospero calling Caliban a 'freckled whelp, hag-born' in The Tempest or King Lear railing against his daughter Goneril with the damning words, 'Thou art a boil, a plague sore, an embossed carbuncle in my corrupted blood', Shakespeare didn't hold back when it came to getting creative with his slights. Packed full of eloquent stings and poisonous putdowns, this is the perfect resource for anyone looking to scorn an enemy – without resorting to swearing! 'Away, you starvelling, you elf-skin, you dried neat's-tongue, bull's-pizzle, you stock-fish!' Henry IV Part I (Act 2, Scene 4). 'Away, you three-inch fool.' The Taming of the Shrew (Act 4, Scene 1). 'Go, prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, Thou lily-liver'd boy.' Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 3). 'The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes.' The Comedy of Errors (Act 5, Scene 4). Table of ContentsAbuses and Affronts • Lovers' Insults • Villainous Jibes • Poisonous Putdowns • Smart Stings • The Best Barbs.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA collection of cute and fruity puns for the epic fails in life.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''She always had high hopes for him. Did he manage to graduate after his resits?''''Him?! He''s thick. Would be as useless as a lifeguard in a carwash.''This is a classic collection of the best humour that Scotland has to offer - off-the-cuff and straight from the street. Packed full of wit and verbal gags, you won''t even believe most of them. Bestselling author Allan Morrison has spent months surreptitiously eavesdropping and collating over 500 of the best one-liners to produce this incredible collection, an ideal stocking filler to help you chuckle Christmas away.''When''s the next bus then, dearie?''''Oh, not for an hour.''''Ach, it''ll not take me long to wait for that.''Trade Review'Loved, loved, loved...this brilliant collection of conversations overheard in Scotland's towns and cities' * Daily Record *

Read more less

Book SynopsisGet comfortable, sink under the covers and dip into the hilarious Under the Duvet: Deluxe Edition for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into bestselling author Marian Keyes'' life . . .''A must-read for all. Keyes'' funny and poignant tales will have you chuckling'' Heat________''Let''s get one thing straight: I''m not an outdoorsy type. If I was offered the choice between white-water rafting and being savaged by a rabid dog, I''d be likely to tick the box marked dog''Under the Duvet brings together Marian Keyes'' unputdownable and utterly irresistible journalism and musings on life.Whether it''s shopping, travel, feminism or fashion, Marian takes us on a riotous anecdote-packed journey into her weird and wonderful world.There are adventures with fake tan, love affairs with shoes and nail varnish, and, as a special treat, she includes seven of her hard-to-find (and, she tells us, harder to write) short stories.Trade ReviewPraise for Marian Keyes * - *Gloriously funny * The Sunday Times *A total triumph * Daily Mail *Not only is it a great story with funny, loveable characters, it made me laugh out loud * Stylist *Funny but poignant * Marie Claire *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisUnleashing the most whimsical wisecracks from The Herald's endlessly silly Diary column, Lorne Jackson presents a brand new collection of jokes to tickle the most discerning of funny bones.Featuring over 300 hilarious jokes and a brain-busting quiz to test your pun proficiency, these weird and wonderful gags include a handy crooner-themed guide to chromosomes, pelican perspectives and Dracula himself!Prepare for the ultimate dose of top-quality quips to induce giggles, groans and guffaws and keep you endlessly amused . . .

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom 2011 up until his death at the end of 2016, the inimitable AA Gill reigned supreme as Uncle Dysfunctional, Esquire's resident advice columnist. In this raffish, hilarious, scathing yet often surprisingly humane collection, Gill applies his unmatched wit to the largest and smallest issues of our time.Trade ReviewUncle Dysfunctional is worldly, all-knowing utterly hilarious and absolutely the last fucking person I'd go to for advice about anything -- GILES CORENRead, wince . . . laugh until you rupture yourself -- WILL SELFGill is a wit and a charmer. Even when he's wrong, he's superbly full of himself -- LYNN BARBERHe was the best writer. Nobody even came close -- INDIA KNIGHTHe never once produced a boring sentence or a phrase that did not shine -- JOHN WITHEROWThe king of irreverent critics -- LIONEL BARBERA giant among journalists . . . His wit was incomparable, his writing was dazzling and fearless, his intelligence was matched by compassion -- MARTIN IVENS

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE FIRST COLLECTION FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERS @DADSAYSJOKESFrom the most-followed dad jokes page on Instagram, @dadsaysjokes, comes a collection of hilariously cheesy jokes that will leave your friends and family laughing and groaning in equal measure.This is the perfect gift for dads who want to expand their repertoire and anyone who fancies reminiscing about a childhood full of these no-nonsense 'bad' puns.Here are a couple of tasters:Q: Why do cows have hooves instead of feet?A: Because they lactose.Q: Are you today's date?A: Cuz you're 10/10.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis funny and beautifully observed book pulls together humorous stories, funny quotes, quips and anecdotes about this small but remarkable country.While the Scots are proud of their friendly reputation, loud about their many contributions to the world – such as whisky, penicillin and television – and fiercely protective of Scottish delicacies such as haggis and Irn Bru, they are also celebrated for their famously dry and dark humour.Featuring wit and wisdom from writers such as Armando Iannucci, Compton Mackenzie, Stanley Baxter and Neil Munro, this light-hearted book celebrates Scottish wit at its best while looking at the culture, folklore, politics and sport that make up Scotland.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is a fun and lighthearted look at the notoriously funny and wonderfully unique Irish wit.The Irish have a famously hilarious way with words that has made them beloved the world over. Producing comedians such as Dylan Moran, Sharon Horgan, Tommy Tiernan, Alison Spittle, Graham Linehan and Ed Byrne, who artfully blend mockery with a self-deprecating appreciation of their unique vernacular, Ireland has a language and culture like no other. Migrating from their small Emerald Isle to many far corners of the world, the Irish have brought with them that complex black humour and sarcasm that defines them. From the satires of Jonathan Swift, George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde through to the hilarity of J.P. Donleavy and the sublime nonsense of Flann O’Brien and Spike Milligan, their distinct culture has been celebrated by many and in many forms.The Wicked Wit of Ireland combines traditional Irish humour, one-liners, anecdotes, and of course quips about the classic Irish mammy, into a fun and entertaining compilation.Trade ReviewIt is a richly evocative and funny book of just what makes Ireland the Irish tick * Derry Post *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'This book is funny, clever and, at times, heartbreaking. In other words, Jewish' David Baddiel '[Baum is] intellectually luminous, psychologically penetrating, existentially anxious, and wonderfully funny' Zadie Smith 'Hilarious and thought-provoking' David Schneider The Jewish joke is as old as Abraham, and like the Jews themselves it has wandered over the world, learned countless new languages, worked with a range of different materials, been performed in front of some pretty hostile crowds, but still retained its own distinctive identity. So what is it that animates the Jewish joke? Why are Jews so often thought of as 'funny'? And how old can a joke get? The Jewish Joke is a brilliant - and very funny - riff on Jewish jokes, about what marks them apart from other jokes, why they are important to Jewish identity and how they work. Ranging from self-deprecation to anti-Semitism, politics to sex, it looks at the past of Jewish joking and asks whether the Jewish joke has a future. With jokes from Amy Schumer, Lena Dunham and Jerry Seinfeld, as well as Freud and Marx (Groucho mostly), this is both a compendium and a commentary, light-hearted and deeply insightful.Trade ReviewThis book is funny, clever and, at times, heartbreaking. In other words, Jewish -- David Baddiel[Baum is] intellectually luminous, psychologically penetrating, existentially anxious, and wonderfully funny -- Zadie SmithA Jew and a non-Jew read Devorah Baum's The Jewish Joke. They both found it hilarious and thought-provoking. Because it is -- David SchneiderHers is the book to turn to if you're looking to amuse your friends and has something in common with the joke books we used to pass around as kids ... [Shows] the sorrow that is the dark underside of laughter - sorrow that belongs to everyone -- Erica Wagner * New Statesman *A breezy, accessible meditation on how [Jewish] humour works, and why it is so integral to Jewish identity... There is much for the scholar to enjoy in Baum's erudite but lightly sketched analysis of how humour helps us to deal with ageing, dislocation, impossible families and sexual confusion. Alternatively, you could just read it for the gags -- Matthew Reisz * Times Higher Education *

Read more less

Book Synopsis*THE PERFECT FATHER'S DAY GIFT*'Puerile, reprehensible and very, very funny' Adam Kay'I love Fesshole. Every single one is a masterclass in storytelling' Jay Rayner'Hilarious! The only guide any alien would need to find out what humans are really like' David Schneider'The wild, the wonderful, the frankly unbelievable and the downright disgusting. Under the anonymity of the internet people confess their most embarrassing secrets and it might not be good for their souls, but it's great for the readers!' Richard K Herring It's confession time, folks! Things have been building up inside of you for too long. Secrets you thought you'd never share with another soul are bubbling to the surface begging for release.And where better to let it all out (/laugh at someone else's misfortune) than on the internet.Fesshole is a Twitter account (@fesshole) which allows people to anonymously confess their innermost thoughts, deepest, darkest secrets, and their most outrageously funny faux pas - but will the online world absolve you of your sins?This book contains the greatest confessions to date, and a whole heap of new ones.After all, if you can't confide in strangers on the internet, who can you tell?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisPhotos of cute babies have the unique power to unite humanity in one collective naww. This is the very forefront of chubby-cheek photojournalism.In our current global political climate, we are exposed daily to horrible images of war and pain. Then sometimes, mercifully, we are thrown a lifeline. The viral Instagram account Tiny Gentle Asians is precisely one such lifeline. It's a suite of fun and uplifting images, showcasing adorable pictures of babies - often chubby to the point of absurd - taken by doting mothers across Asia. It's the best site, says Chelsea Handler, comedian and TV royalty. Every morning there's a new fat nugget. The sassy captions which accompany each image are written by Melissa Kenny, the mastermind behind TGA. Lately, though, she's been busy... Melissa has just undertaken her most ambitious project yet: Tiny Gentle Asians, the book! Loaded with exclusive cute content, this finally brings TGA into the physical world. Each page is a new adve

Read more less

Book SynopsisSir Winston Churchill remains a British hero, lauded for his oratorical skill. He wrote histories, biographies, memoirs, and even a novel, while his journalism, speeches and broadcasts run to millions of words. From 1940 he inspired and united the British people and guided their war effort. Behind the public figure, however, was a man of vast humanity and enormous wit. His most famous speeches and sayings have passed into history but many of his aphorisms, puns and jokes are less well-known. This enchanting collection brings together hundreds of his wittiest remarks as a record of all that was best about this endearing, conceited, talented and wildly funny Englishman.Also available in the series:(9781782433651) The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II(9781782435426) The Wicked Wit of Oscar Wilde(9781782435662) The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen

Read more less

Book SynopsisA quirky collection of true stories from the stranger side of horse racing, featuring horse-swapping skulduggery, battling jockeys and a horse that may or may not have beaten a train. Extraordinary but true stories from over 150 years of racing. This hilarious, sideways look at horse racing vividly recounts many of the strangest moments and oddest incidents from over 150 years of the sport's history. Andrew Ward recalls the time when spectators mounted two fallen horses and rode them to second and third places; the race which had to be re-run because the judge wasn't in his box at the finish; the ultrasonic binoculars that allegedly stunned a horse and unseated a jockey at Ascot, and many more. A totally original, offbeat collection of extraordinary but true stories, Horse-Racing's Strangest Races will be a delight to all lovers of the turf. Word count: 60,000

Read more less

Book SynopsisWARNING: NOT SUITABLE FOR ART LOVERS. PERFECT FOR DOG LOVERS.The Sunday Times bestselling author of Rubbish Pet Portraits presentsWho's a Clever Boy, Then? is a hilarious exploration into the bizarre behaviour of our beloved four-legged friends. Ever considered your pooch to be super smart? Or claimed they are actually very intelligent'? Dog whisperer and illustrator extraordinaire @portraitsbyhercule reveals what your dog is really thinking when they are being petted: I'm going to milk this for as long as possible because you haven't seen what I've done in the bathroom yet. staring at you adoringly: Put your phone down, Susan, and I'll give you more likes than Facebook ever will. giving you evils: I'm not saying it's definitely time to get the hoover out, Kev, but I'm picking up fluff in places I don't want to pick up fluff.Trade Review Customer reviews of Rubbish Pet Portraits: –‘You’ve made my children cry.’ –‘It’s as if my eyes have stood on Lego’ –‘I’ve had to open my mum’s Christmas present to help me get over this. I’m covered in tears, Ferrero Rocher wrappers and shame.’

Read more less

Book SynopsisMan Walks Into A Bar is a one-stop shop for anyone who likes to hear and tell jokes. The jokes are ordered thematically - wives, husbands, doctors, lawyers, the French, the Germans, jokes about nuns, jokes about monkeys, the lot. There are also regular panels which group jokes by type too - Essex girls, changing a lightbulb etc. Our material will turn you into the toast of your local pub or make you loathed in your own home - remember, it is all in the telling. From the sublimely erudite to stuff Frank Carson would turn down (the book has a ''world''s worst jokes'' section), this book can service you with every joke you''ll ever need.What do you call an eskimo chav?InnuinnitWhat did the zen student say at the hamburger stand?Make me one with everythingWhat''s Irish and lives in the garden?Paddy O''FurnitureTrade ReviewThe ultimate chuckle-fest * Modern Woman *Billing itself as "the ultimate collection of jokes and one-liners" pretty much sums up this 550-page book * The Big Issue *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhether for the loo or bedside entertainment or as a work of reference or self-improvement The Funniest Thing You Never Said is the biggest and best humorous quotation book there is - a complete one-stop shop of witty one liners.Trade ReviewAn outstanding up-to-date anthology * Sunday Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwinkle, Twinkle Little Stars is the second delightful collection of stories and poems from Gervase Phinn.Following on from the terrific success of A Wayne in a Manger, Gervase Phinn has collected together from his bestselling Dales books his favourite stories about children, and included some poems from his popular Puffin poetry books. In this humorously illustrated book, the stories have one thing in common - the wonderfully funny (and usually innocent) things that children say. What makes Naomi''s granny wobble? What''s the secret ingredient in Richard''s jam tarts? What is Billy''s unconventional method for making babies?Whether they are stories about children who cannot read very well but know the names of many breeds of sheep or children who are more privileged (coming to school in a Wolls-Woyce), they are simply delightful. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Stars is a heart-warming book will enchant you, as Gervase Phinn helps you look at life through a child''s eyes - and that''s quite a special thing.''Gervase Phinn''s memoirs have made him a hero in school staff-rooms'' Daily TelegraphGervase Phinn is an author and educator from Rotherham who, after teaching for fourteen years in a variety of schools, moved to North Yorkshire to be a school inspector. He has written autobiographies, novels, plays, collections of poetry and stories, as well as a number of books about education. He holds five fellowships, honorary doctorates from Hull, Leicester and Sheffield Hallam universities, and is a patron of a number of children''s charities and organizations. He is married with four adult children. His books include The Other Side of the Dale, Over Hill and Dale, Head Over Heels in the Dales, The Heart of the Dales, Up and Down in the Dales and Trouble at the Little Village School.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt is impossible to talk about 20th century comedy without discussing George Carlin. Named the 2nd greatest standup of the 20th century by both Comedy Central and Rolling Stone, Carlin garnered multiple gold records, 4 Grammys, 6 Emmy nominations, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He was the first host of SNL, appeared on the Tonight Show some 130 times, and acted in beloved films like Bill and Ted''s Excellent Adventure and Dogma. Dubbed the dean of counterculture comedians, George Carlin was an American icon.A perfect introduction for new fans and a worthy addition to the collections of old fans, The Best of Carlin showcases the longevity, range, and-above all-hilarity of the master. Filled with thoughts, musings, questions, lists, beliefs, curiosities, monologues, assertions, assumptions, and other delicious verbal ordeals, it is drop-dead funny tour through Carlin''s mind. More than ten years after his death, Carlin''s characteristically ironic takes on life''s annoying universal truths remain thoughtful, fearless, and somehow more relevant than ever.

Read more less