Humour Books

Book SynopsisWelcome! Benvenuti! It’s summertime in northern Minnesota and a bus full of kids is about to arrive at the Italian Concordia Language Village, better known as camp. Inexplicably the chief lifeguard has chosen this moment to conduct a “missing villager drill,” prompting staff to strip to their underwear in a simulated rush to search the lake. It’s an inopportune time for a surprise visit from the Health Inspector, but there he is—just as an Italian counselor calls through the walkie-talkie, “My God, there’s blood everywhere!” He’s finally clobbered the chipmunk that’s been stealing his candy. When at age six he had to be hauled kicking and screaming on the bus bound for camp, Eric Dregni could not have imagined this moment. But all the days and weeks of summer camp since then have shown him the abundant pleasures of this uniquely American experience—and given him plenty of stories to tell. In You’re Sending Me Where? Dregni takes us back to those boyhood days of running head-on into nature with his fellow campers and learning a few valuable lessons, such as don’t let the van driver leave you and your canoe until you’re sure there’s actually water in the “flowage.” From discouraging summer love to soothing homesick campers to—Oh no! Bats!—taking everyone to town for their rabies shots, to the difficulty of saying goodbye, Eric Dregni’s wise, funny book reassures us that there’s still a place in the woods where, unplugged from devices and screens, children of all ages can connect with the natural world—and with each other.Trade Review"Dregni specializes in describing the detail of human interaction. His stories of discouraging camp romances, love triangles, how to deal with staff who melt down over bats, cabin-to-cabin antics (and revenge) are witty and engaging and make the reader both reminisce and feel a part of the whole scene."—Concordia Language Villages "By the end of the memoir, you’ll find yourself in the same shape as the campgoers on the last days of camp—you don’t want it to end. "—Italian AmericaTable of ContentsContentsWhat Did I Do to Deserve This?FoxfireThe River That Wasn’t ThereNo Road to CampAnother Day at American CampMe? A Dean?Beaver PrideGood Impressions on Opening DayMother DuckNinjas vs. PiratesNot So Politically Correct“Friendship” TournamentRed Neck DaysBat CampBeware the Sharktopus and Sidehill Gougers!Keep ’em SeparatedCuddly SkunksThe Cheese Wiz Eats CrowGoing SauvageThere Will Be Blood . . .Coffee EmergencyThe Last Day of Camp

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Book SynopsisJokes, Life after Death, and God has two main tasks: to try to understand exactly what a joke is, and to see whether there are any connections between jokes, on the one hand, and life after death and God, on the other hand. But it pursues other tasks as well, tasks of an ancillary sort. This book devises a general and comprehensive, but brief, theory of jokes. The author begins with critiques of other writers’ views on the subject. 1) Ted Cohen thinks that such a theory is impossible. 2) Ronald Berk, on the other hand, provides just such a theory. And 3) John Morreall provides a general theory of laughter, which may include some things which can be used in a general theory of jokes. 4) Neil Schaeffer, too, provides a general theory of laughter, which makes a big point out of what he calls the “ludicrous context”; but he does include a chapter on jokes. 5) Christopher Wilson offers a general theory of jokes in which he focuses on form and content. And 6) Thomas Werge, in reflecting on the comic, suggests a general theory of jokes which identifies their matter, form, agents, purposes, and beyond these, the underlying shared relational context, which makes it possible for jokes to arise. 7) Bill Fuller’s message is that there is more funniness coming out of two or more heads than out of one, just as Socrates’ message was that there is more clarity coming out of two or more heads than out of one. 8) Umberto Eco feels that monks should laugh, just as ordinary people do; for laughter not only refreshes our seeking spirits, it also illuminates the truth we seek. 9) Simon Critchley, in his reflections on humor, notes that jokes bring on a kind of everyday anamnesis, that they are anti-story stories, that they are like prayers, that they are like philosophy; and that they require a certain underlying context, which is implicitly recognized by both teller and listener, and which renders possible the tension needed to make the punch line work. 10) Martha Wolfenstein, pursuing a psychological analysis of children’s humor, proposes that the underlying motive for telling jokes remains the same from childhood to adulthood, i.e., to transform painful and frustrating experiences so as to extract pleasure from them; and that the agent or productive cause of jokes is the repressing unconscious, as suggested by Freud. As John Morreall has argued, neither the Superiority Theory (as in Plato, Aristotle and Hobbes), nor the Relief Theory (as in Spencer and Freud), nor the Incongruity Theory (as in Kant, Schopenhauer and Kierkegaard) appears to work as a general and comprehensive theory. Moreover, these writers talk more about humor and laughter than about jokes. To be sure, a joke is a type of humor. Thus, to say something about humor is to say something, though of a generic sort, about jokes. Similarly, to say something about the laughter caused by humor is to say something, though generic, about the laughter caused by jokes. Most of the authors considered in chapter one are concerned with jokes, and not only with humor as such. Section 11 of chapter one puts together, out of the combined contributions of these authors, what can be considered the beginnings of, some thoughts toward, a general and comprehensive theory of jokes. This task the author illustrates in a concrete way, by looking at individual jokes of different sorts; not, however, without inviting the reader to enjoy these jokes. The author looks particularly at Jewish jokes, Christian jokes, and Islamic jokes (jokes in three major religious traditions), jokes about philosophy and philosophers (philosophers ought to be able to laugh at themselves and at what they do), yo mama jokes (out of a healthy curiosity), Italian jokes and Slovak jokes, all of which makes for a clearer understanding of exactly what a joke is. The analysis of general theory is then followed by some views on the morality of jokes and joke-telling, and an analysis of the connection between jokes and life after death, on the one hand, and God, on the other. Throughout the book Bobik offers innumerable examples to heighten our understanding and entertain us.

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Book SynopsisIn this seventh volume, we see the changes in tone that now characterize Funky Winkerbean. Funky becomes more of a reality-based comic strip that depicts contemporary issues in a thought-provokingand sensitive manner. In 1992 Tom Batiuk did something even more radical: he rebooted and restructured the strip, establishing that the characters had graduated from high school. From then on the series progresses in real time.Funky Winkerbean placed Batiuk at the forefront of a new genre in comic art history. His bold characterizations and dramatic plots are engaging for his readers—teens, parents, and educators alike—because they are universal stories that people can identify with. Realizing there are many comic strips for readers interested in a fantasy world, Batiuk provides an alternative by creating stories that are powerful, real, and inspiring.“My job is to present stories that will interest and engage readers,” he says. “In doing so, I try to make the humor authentic and natural so that my characters are reacting just as the reader might. I think that mixing humor with serious and real themes heightens the readers’ interest.” Following his own muse has roused a fervent following for Batiuk. Funky has “become an untouchable comic strip,” even if its creator “does do work that’s different from the other comics on the comics page,” said Brendan Burford, general manager, syndication, at King Features.Trade Review“Comic strips are, in my opinion, short editorials on our lives. So thank you for your daily efforts to observe daily living.” - David M. Hutchings, Denver, Colorado.“I’ve enjoyed Funky Winkerbean for so many decades I’ve lost count. I first remember being drawn into it during the story line when an early Les Moorewas getting into emotional trouble for using his reallife relationship experience as fodder for his fiction. Iidentified!” - Richard Rockman, Hazleton, Pennsylvania.“Sometimes you just outdo yourself!” - Carolyn Schuldt, Peoria, Illinois.

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Book SynopsisFollow award-winning cartoonist Tom Batiuk as he chronicles Funky's evolution from gags to situational humor to behavioral humor In this eighth volume, Funky Winkerbean continues to move forward in real time, tackling issues of relevance and substance with characters whose lives are increasingly fateful and destined. Funky has placed Batiuk at the forefront of a new genre in comic art history as the strip pursues stories ahead of their time: guns in schools and teen suicide. The humor in Funky continues to grow as it evolves from sitcom gags to a deeper and more engaging behavioral style of humor.Trade Review“There are laughs to be had, but they are just one element of a recipe that delivers one short story after another about people just trying to make it from day to day.” — Brian Steinberg, Variety

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Book SynopsisBalancing humor with sensitivity to tell stories we need to hear .Funky Winkerbean, a newspaper staple since 1972, is one of the few comic strips that allows its characters to grow and age. With this ninth volume of the collected Funky Winkerbean, containing strips from 1996–1998, time continues to pass and events take place that will forever alter the lives of the core characters, even as new characters take the stage with stories to tell.Tom Batiuk's narrative humor style now grows to encompass such diverse events as retirement, weddings, the treatment of immigrants, dating abuse, and post office bombings. Some of the stories can be told over a cup of coffee, while others require a full-on Roman feast. As the stories become more universal, the humor in Funky continues to become an integral part of the ongoing narrative.

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Book SynopsisSince its newspaper debut in 1972, the comic strip Funky Winkerbean has chronicled the journey through life of a group of students from the fictitious West View High School. This twelfth volume presents strips from 2005, 2006, and 2007.Mixing humor with serious, real-life issues, this volume of The Complete Funky Winkerbean demonstrates that comics that entertain us can also help us comprehend and navigate life's most difficult challenges.This volume includes the story arc dealing with Lisa Moore's heartbreaking battle with breast cancer, which became a finalist in the cartooning category of the 2008 Pulitzer Prizes. Other stories include Lisa defending comic shop owner John Howard in an obscenity lawsuit, Wally's struggles with PTSD upon returning from the war in Afghanistan, and his return to Afghanistan with his wife Becky as part of a project to clear landmines. Marriages, graduations, births, and even the building of a new school all weave around and through Lisa's story.

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Book SynopsisThe characters of the Funky cartoon universe deal with the challenges of middle age This latest installment of The Complete Funky Winkerbean presents the comic strips from 2008, 2009, and 2010 and ushers the original Funky characters into middle age. In true Funky fashion, the characters have to grapple with very serious issues: nearly fatal car crashes, a war abroad, and a tanking economy at home. These years also mark the first appearance of Cayla, and her arrival on the scene is where cartoonist Tom Batiuk's new time-jump era begins to coalesce and take on its unique identity.

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Book SynopsisThe aging process is a sneaky son-of-a-gun. It begins by lurking around the edges of one’s life and occasionally darting into your person to take a bite out of your well-being. It then zips back into the shadows and waits for the next opportunity to reappear and take another bite out of your youth, your appearance, your confidence, and/or your already fragile self-concept. You’d like to grab it and strangle it, but it’s always out of sight and out of reach. Each bite it takes out of one’s existence leaves the victim a little less capable of ignoring the damage done by the attacks and a little less able to ignore their cumulative effects. Fighting against aging is a losing battle, but we do have a good shot at enjoying the many good parts of it. I was Born on Third Base is a humorous look at aging and the notion that “seventy is the new fifty.”

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Book SynopsisRecognising it's not always easy to say no, Nicole takes readers through real-life examples familiar to anyone who has found themselves saying yes when they really didn't want to, providing guidance on how to: Say no effectively and appropriately in any situation - Use techniques that come naturally to make saying no as stress-free as possible - Fend off unwanted invitations nicely but firmly - Set healthy boundaries with loved ones, family, friends, and colleagues - Tell yourself no when you need to - Let go of guilt, worry, and regrets and do what's right for you - Everyone needs healthy boundaries - let this charming book help you set them and make learning to say no much easier.Trade Review“Those of us in the people-pleasing club probably know by now that we are happier, healthier humans when we protect our energy and learn to say no . . . but many of us have no idea how to actually do that. This book is filled with superpractical and useful scripts to help us navigate those situations where we cringe at the thought of (ahh!) disappointing someone. I will be keeping this book permanently on my desk for daily guidance!” —Mari Andrew, New York Times–bestselling author of Am I There Yet? and My Inner Sky “People pleasers everywhere will delight in saying no after reading this dazzling debut. With heartfelt illustrations, empathy for the yes-sayers, and examples for all of life’s common conflicts, 100 Ways to Say No offers a stand-alone guide to compassionately (but firmly!) setting boundaries with others and yourself.” —Haley Weaver, creator of @HaleyDrewThis

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Book SynopsisDelightful tales of hunting and fishing, family, friends, dogs, and precious time well spent and cherished Nationally recognized and award-winning writer Jim Mize captures the true essence of sport and living life to the fullest in this collection of stories about his outdoor escapades. In tales spanning more than five decades, Mize invites readers into carefree days hiking through the Colorado Rockies with a fly rod and leisurely casting poppers to bluegill on small southern ponds. Cold days shivering in a duck blind or deer hunting trips lost in fog all make for fine memories. And then there are the dogs. Meet boot-eating Labs, setters with fine noses, and a Brittany Spaniel that loved to bounce through frosted kudzu. Mize's humorous stories entertain and remind readers of their own turkey hunting or creek fishing excursions. Black-and-white line drawings from artist Bob White illustrate stories filled with laughter, quiet contemplation, and wonder. Mize reminds the young and old that the pleasure of the pursuit matters most.Table of Contents Foreword by Jim Casada PrefaceAcross Generations First Pup Your Day Will Come Kids Do Say the Darndest Things The Jon Boat Years Another Letter to a Grandson A Letter to a Granddaughter Fishing with Others If a Tree Falls My Buddy's Fishing Hole The Seabee Jacket After Dark Fishing Directions Old Guys in a Boat A Lesson Twice Learned Fishing Odd Hatches Yellow Damn Jackets Carpy Diem Along Came a Spider Fishing the Mosquito Hatch A Whiff of Skunk Stir Crazy Low Expectations Jinxed Into the Backing Gone with the Wind Knot Fly Fishing for Suckers The Colorado Years Freedom Coldcocked Skinny-Dipping with Cutties The Fish of a Lifetime Pondering Deer Stuff Hunting with KP Hunting in the Haunted House The Deer Who Wore Camo Custer's Last Deer Stand Pondering Deer Stuff A Class in Ethics In Pursuit of Bearded Birds How to Name Your Turkey The Turkey Chainsaw Massacre Almost a Lion Story Growing Your Gobbler Of Ducks and Dogs Blurred Memories A Quack's Guide to Duck Calls Reasons for Owning a Dog My Steel Shot Rusted Upland Birds Hunting the Pole Kudzu Quail Hunting the Hurricane The Christmas Gift Winders An Old Red Shirt

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Book SynopsisWe’re inundated with advice on how to cut back on our screen time, and urged instead to embrace nature, human relationships and being present in the moment. But has anyone actually considered those realities? They sound like a lot of work. In her new book, Jennifer McCartney gives thanks for phones, iPads, laptops, the menu tablets at Chili’s and all screens everywhere. We can now follow a baby alpaca on a webcam, watch a viral video on TikTok, find an ex on Facebook, measure our pupillary distances, answer any question without engaging our brains—there’s so much to learn; with little to no effort. The Internet practically runs itself! We use it for work, for family, for research. We’re really, really good at being online! And that’s something to celebrate. With her usual balance of pithy wisdom, aptitude tests and hilarious commentary, McCartney embraces our new reality. After all, as Descartes might have said, “I scroll, therefore I am.”Trade Review"According to Jennifer McCartney... there is a hefty defence to be mounted in favour of our mass screen addiction, one she embraces so passionately she even takes a moment to praise the menu tablets at the international restaurant chain Chili's." -- Polly Vernon - The Times

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Book SynopsisAll parents want the same things: to balance work and home life, to raise happy kids, to never attend a baby drumming class and to build a secret room in their home where they can hide (preferably not the bathroom). Yes, an introverted parent would more keenly want to be free of the slew of attention and expectations that accompany both pregnancy and parenthood, but even the most outgoing person is sure to reach their limit eventually. Here, with laugh-out-loud humour and well-earned experience, Julie Vick offers coping mechanisms for everything from sharing the news that you are becoming a parent to the moment the baby is born (one way or another, it will happen), from managing doctor’s visits to handling playdates. She offers advice on finding childcare and ignoring the nursing versus formula conversation with strangers. Witty yet valuable, her tips, checklists and the occasional chart focus on the time from pregnancy through preschool.

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Book SynopsisCombining inspiration, humor, and entomology, Instagram artist Ali Beckman (@SoFlyTaxidermy) is the internet's go-to gal for bug-related content that makes you a happier human. Beckman's witty comics, which use actual insects in everyday situations, illustrate the importance of pollinators as well as body positivity and mental health awareness. Using creatures that are donated, purchased, or found dead to create amusing cartoons, Bee a Good Human highlights the integral role of insects in our environment while also demonstrating we all have a part to play in this world. Beyond bugs, Beckman's art speaks to the value of self-love as she shares a narrative of growth and finding confidence within.Bee a Good Human features the best of Beckman's @SoFlyTaxidermy Instagram art. With 106 color illustrations, many of which have never appeared online, this gift of a book will make you consider the bigger picture—and laugh a little too.Trade ReviewWhether you're in the market for an unconventional yet highly entertaining read or a long-time follower of the author's uplifting Instagram, Bee A Good Human: A Pollinator's Guide to a Better Life is sure to make you crack a smile or two! -- Mimi Koehler * Nerd Daily *This charming little book is illustrated with photos of actual insects (deceased from natural causes) and full of witty humor. The perfect gift for the pollinator lover in your life or anyone who needs a fresh perspective on life. * Washington Gardener Magazine *This cute book breaks the macabre stereotypes of taxidermy to bring light and humor to your coffee table. Created by Ali Beckman, of @SoFlyTaxidermy Instagram fame, each page has posed taxidermied insect(s) and doodles accompanied by a funny or motivational line. This quick, entomological romp is designed to make you smile. . . . Beyond the content, the book itself is gorgeous: the binding pops in pollinator-yellow and the photo-paper pages feel glossy and luxe. It's a great eye-catcher for any bookshelf or coffee table. Bee a Good Human is adorable and witty and brought a smile to my face. And you can enjoy it guilt-free, because no insects were harmed in the making of the book- all the insects were found or sent to Beckman! Check it out to see what all the buzz is about! -- Elise Kulik * Nerdophiles *Ali uses creatures that are donated, purchased, or found dead to create amusing cartoons and highlight the key roles insects play in our environment. Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes — for example, a tiny midge pollinates chocolate while beetles can pollinate certain flowers — and Ali showcases them with her work and shares how they keep our ecosystem thriving. Her art also highlights the importance of loving yourself and finding confidence to say that, yes, you can do anything you put your mind to. That's a pretty cool thing. -- Joey Held * Good People, Cool Things Podcast *I'm someone who is fascinated but also very frightened of insects but this book gave me a good giggle. Going into this, I thought it was just a little picture book with images of bees but I was honestly happily mistaken. The first few pages such as the forward and the acknowledgments shed light on the sad truth about how we see bees and certain insects, showing that television and film truly demonize them, when in reality they do more for the planet than we do. This sweet book written by Ali Beckman is a different and creative way of showing that each page is dedicated to the little helpers around us it definitely gives you a different outlook on those little guys that were so demonized within the world. I never thought I'd catch myself smiling and finding bugs adorable but here I am! I give this book 4 1/2 stars and I most definitely recommend "Bee a Good Human" if you're looking for a smile. * Nerd Girl Official *Original, fun, thoughtful, and thought-provoking, Bee a Good Human: A Pollinators' Guide to a Better Life is highly recommended. -- Susan Bethany * Midwest Book Review *In her debut book, Beckman illustrates the importance of pollinators along with a healthy dose of body positivity and mental health awareness through her witty comics that feature actual insects in everyday situations. Through the cartoons, Beckman shares a narrative of self-growth and finding confidence within, all while making people laugh. The genius behind her work is that the insects many people fear reflect back our own insecurities and hopes, allowing us all to see our significance in the world. * Pretty Progressive *Like bees to a blossom, 180,000 followers have found @soflytaxidermy, the quirky-cute Instagram account of Indiana artist Ali Beckman. For each post, she poses dead insects like bees, flies or butterflies in meme-y settings with inspirational, witty (and occasionally potty-mouthed) captions. Her new book, Bee a Good Human, is a giftable collection of her work. * Midwest Living *Bee a Good Human just might be the entry for dis-believers to come to terms with the real power of the tiniest to be mightier than the so-called mighty. Insects are doing their best to save humans from self-destruction. Yes, read science-based essays in a swath of media; watch informative television shows; etc etcbut for the sheer joy of bringing everyone together as a caring community in all its manifestations, share a copy of Bee a Good Human. -- Rita Kohn * NUVO *What I particularly love about this book is what it has taught me. . . . Everyone wins when we're just a bit more conscious, and in fact, it really doesn't take that much effort, which is a relief since most of us are living pretty busy lives. Aside from that, this book is so clever. I immediately wanted to share it with my friends. For that reason, it's a great gift for all different occasions, especially for people who need a good laugh or those who care about the environment. I have to be honest. I am NOT a bug lover, but this little book did help shift my perspective on how much we need each other. Because of that, it's a great coffee table book as it's bound to start a conversation. Overall, Bee a Good Human: A Pollinator's Guide to a Better Life is a testament to the power of art, invention, and do-it-yourself power. -- Elisha Jachetti * YA Books Central *Table of ContentsForewordGalleryAuthor bio

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Book SynopsisThis timely study sheds new light on debates about humour and identity in France, and is the first book about humour and identity in France to be published in either English or French that analyses both debates about Charlie Hebdo and standup comedy. It examines humour, freedom of expression, and social cohesion in France during a crucial time in France’s recent history punctuated by the Charlie Hebdo attacks of January 2015. It evaluates the state of French society and attitudes to humour in France in the aftermath of the events of January 2015. This book argues that debates surrounding Charlie Hebdo, although significant, only provide part of the picture when it comes to understanding humour and multiculturalism in France. This monograph fills significant gaps in French and international media coverage and academic writing, which has generally failed to adequately examine the broader picture that emerges when one examines career trajectories of notable contemporary French comedians. By addressing this failing, this book provides a more complete picture of humour, identity, and Republican values in France. By focusing primarily on contemporary comedians in France, this book explores competing uses of French Republican discourse in debates about humour, offensiveness, and freedom of expression. Ultimately, it argues that studying humour and identity in France often reveals a sense of national unease within the Republic at a time of considerable turmoil.Trade ReviewReviews'This is a well-researched, accessible and timely book. It deals with very important issues in an informed and illuminating way.'John Marks, University of Nottingham‘Ervine’s monograph is one of the most fascinating and thought-provoking monographs I have recently read… making us think and reconsider our own assumptions as humour analysts and problematizing concepts and arguments we take for granted concerning, among many other things, the “innocuous”, “inconsequential”, “playful”, or “subversive” character of humour and its “primarily” entertaining function in the public sphere.’ Villy Tsakona, European Journal of Humour ResearchTable of ContentsAcknowledgementsIntroduction: Humour: a serious issue in contemporary FranceChapter One: Charlie Hebdo: from controversy to consensus?Chapter Two: Dieudonné: from anti-racist activism to allegations of anti-SemitismChapter Three: Jamel Comedy Club: stand-up comedy à la française?Chapter Four: Islam and humour: more than just a debate about cartoonsConclusionsBibiliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThis timely study sheds new light on debates about humour and identity in France, and is the first book about humour and identity in France to be published in either English or French that analyses both debates about Charlie Hebdo and standup comedy. It examines humour, freedom of expression, and social cohesion in France during a crucial time in France’s recent history punctuated by the Charlie Hebdo attacks of January 2015. It evaluates the state of French society and attitudes to humour in France in the aftermath of the events of January 2015. This book argues that debates surrounding Charlie Hebdo, although significant, only provide part of the picture when it comes to understanding humour and multiculturalism in France. This monograph fills significant gaps in French and international media coverage and academic writing, which has generally failed to adequately examine the broader picture that emerges when one examines career trajectories of notable contemporary French comedians. By addressing this failing, this book provides a more complete picture of humour, identity, and Republican values in France. By focusing primarily on contemporary comedians in France, this book explores competing uses of French Republican discourse in debates about humour, offensiveness, and freedom of expression. Ultimately, it argues that studying humour and identity in France often reveals a sense of national unease within the Republic at a time of considerable turmoil.Trade ReviewReviews'This is a well-researched, accessible and timely book. It deals with very important issues in an informed and illuminating way.'John Marks, University of Nottingham‘Ervine’s monograph is one of the most fascinating and thought-provoking monographs I have recently read… making us think and reconsider our own assumptions as humour analysts and problematizing concepts and arguments we take for granted concerning, among many other things, the “innocuous”, “inconsequential”, “playful”, or “subversive” character of humour and its “primarily” entertaining function in the public sphere.’ Villy Tsakona, European Journal of Humour ResearchTable of ContentsAcknowledgementsIntroduction: Humour: a serious issue in contemporary FranceChapter One: Charlie Hebdo: from controversy to consensus?Chapter Two: Dieudonné: from anti-racist activism to allegations of anti-SemitismChapter Three: Jamel Comedy Club: stand-up comedy à la française?Chapter Four: Islam and humour: more than just a debate about cartoonsConclusionsBibiliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisPains on Trains is the perfect way to take the tedium out of commuting, guaranteed to become as indispensable to the seasoned traveller as the blow-up pillow and water sterilising tablets. In Pains on Trains, Andrew Holmes and Matthew Reeves set their sights on the scourge of the modern office worker - other office workers who clog up trains, buses, boats and planes with their annoying habits and depressing clothes. Pains on Trains is dedicated to the rush-hour veteran and consists of a 'pain-spotting' guide to the very worst people you meet on your daily commute. Each painful character is illustrated in their usual context and supported by a short narrative.Trade Review"…start ‘pain spotting’ and put the fun back in to commuting…" (Publishing News, 12 September 2003) "…A new book Pains on Trains offers advice on taking it all [irritating commuters] in your stride..."(Daily Mirror, 24 October 2003) "…hugely funny…" (Oxford Mail, 31 October 2003) "…Pains on trains is a hugely funny and brilliantly Observed look at the different types of people…" (Edinburgh Evening News, 1 November 2003) "…hugely funny…" (Cambridge Evening News, 8 November 2003) "…hysterically accurate…" (Southern Daily Echo, 8 November 2003) "…brilliantly observed…" (East Anglian Daily Times, November 2003) "…hysterically accurate…with wonderful descriptions and illustrations…" (Irish News (Belfast), 1 November 2003) "....I like to think of myself as fairly curmudgeonly, though I am mild-mannered compared to Andrew Holmes and Matthew Reeves who have produced a book called Pains on Trains...this consists of 50 different types of people who annoy the authors on trains..." (The Guardian, April 2006)Table of ContentsPreface 6 Acknowledgements 8 Trial by Commuting 10 The Beggar 16 The Belligerent 20 The Born in a Stable 24 The Broadsheet 28 The City Boy 32 The Clique 36 The Creative 40 The Deadbeat 44 The Death Breath 48 The Double Seater 52 The Drunk 56 The Engager 60 The Enquirer 64 The Family 68 The Fast Fooder 72 The Flamboyant Groin 76 The Gadget 80 The Gaggle 84 The Group 88 The Hero 92 The High-flier 96 The Late Starter 100 The Lovers 104 The Make Up Artist 108 The Mammoth 112 The Mobile Phoner 116 The New Worker 120 The Night Clubbers 124 The Nose Picker 128 The Nutter 132 The Over Your Shoulder 136 The Pervert 140 The Phantom Farter 144 The Reservist 148 The Ritualist 152 The Sardine Packer 156 The Sleeper 160 The Social Climber 164 The Spinster 168 The Starer 172 The Stinker 176 The Stretcher 180 The Territorialist 184 The Texter 188 The Toff 192 The Train Timer 196 The Traveller 200 The Vomiter 204 The Wheeled Caser 108 The Youth 212 Afterword 216

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Book SynopsisYou probably know that Luke wrote a gospel, but did you also know that his sources included memos to the angelic hosts, agony aunt letters, newspaper cuttings, interviews and even the diary of a concerned sheep? For the first time in nearly two thousand years, these and other, equally reliable, resource materials have been brought together to provide a fresh perspective on the life of Jesus. Have you ever wondered what the three wise men did before they were wise? Or how the disciples got on with their first attempts at spreading the word? What would the report card of a prepubescent Saviour of the world look like? And how did the local sheep feel about Jesus' ultimate sacrifice? These and many other questions you have probably never asked are answered here.Trade ReviewThe best kind of humour makes you laugh and think at the same time. The very best kind of humour makes you laugh first and then think, and then think a bit more. "A Clean Camel is a Happy Camel" is packed full of insights into the Gospel message. The amazing variety of methods for telling the story: cartoons, memos, telegrams, letters, newspaper reports, adverts, agony aunt columns, even the Yellow Pages, keeps the journey through the book fresh and constantly brings the temptation to read just one more bit! In the best traditions of humour it is sometimes close to the edge, but in a way that gets you thinking about why, and more importantly about God and his grace shown towards us in the outrageous love of Jesus. It is also a book which will work with so many ages: Fun for the young and with layers of meaning for those who have known the story longer. Great Fun! Rev. Richard Burge, Children and Youth Co-ordinator, Wakefield Diocese

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Book Synopsis'A Beard In Nepal 2. Return to the Village' is the story of Fiona and Tod's second visit to the village of Salle, high in the Himalayas of Nepal. They returned to take presents and supplies to the villagers. The book is again full of humour as the couple from Liverpool trek with Kalyani (the village school headmistress) to a remote, hidden valley where her new husband's family live, braving again those incredibly high, dangerous roads through the mountains. This book gives us more detail about the villagers lives, and the lives of the wonderful, happy village children, who live so very differently from their Western counterparts. It also touches on the downside of life in Nepal today; the corruption, the destruction of the forests, lack of electricity, and lack of clean water. 'A Beard In Nepal 2' tells us about Fiona and Tod's encounter with black, poisonous spiders; how they avoided having to eat a cockerel; a water buffalo that snores so loudly it has to sleep in its own specially built shelter; and once again the nightmare of travelling in a local bus through the remote tracks in the high Himalayas. The book also looks at developments in Kathmandu, such as the 'removal' of 10,000 street dogs in the last few months.

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Book SynopsisShepherd Mead, bestselling author of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, came to live in England with his family in 1958. Six years later he published a satirical handbook for fellow Americans to guide them through the nuances of British culture and save them from blunders: ‘Write down now that pants always mean underpants’, he advises. ‘What you wear out in the open are trousers. Mistakes in this area can lead to nasty misunderstandings.’ Structured around the fictional experience of an American couple Peggy and Buckley Brash and their two children, the book covers such topics as ‘How to Dress in England’, ‘The Dream House and How to Rebuild it’, and ‘How to Live with the Upper Classes Without Having Any Money’. Through the Brash family’s encounters with the British and their bewildered conversations with each other as they attempt to interpret an alien way of life, Mead answers pertinent questions such as ‘Do English schools create sex madness?’ and ‘Is England really a pest hole?’ with quirky and affectionate humour. Written with the light touch and incisive wit which brought Mead such success with his earlier book, and deftly illustrated with dynamic cartoons, How to Live Like A Lord without Really Trying is packed with gems on Anglo-American differences and pithy advice which tells us as much about the British of the 1960s as it does about their visitors from across the Pond.

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Book SynopsisThe horror of the First World War brought out a characteristic response in a group of English artists, who resorted to black humour. Among these, John Hassall, a pioneering British illustrator and creator of the influential 'Skegness is so bracing' poster, holds a special place. Early in the war, he hit on the idea of drawing a parody of the Bayeux Tapestry to satirize German aggression and add to the growing genre of war propaganda. Taking the scheme of the famous tapestry which celebrates William the Conqueror’s invasion of England, Hassall uses thirty pictorial panels to tell the story of Kaiser Wilhem II’s invasion of Luxembourg and Belgium. In mock-archaic language he narrates the progress of the German army, never missing an opportunity to lampoon ‘bad’ behaviour: ‘Wilhelm giveth orders for frightfulness.’ The caricatured Germans loot homes, make gas from Limburg cheese and sauerkraut, drink copious amounts of wine and shamefully march through Luxembourg with ‘women and children in front.’ With comic inventiveness Hassall adapts the borders of the original to illustrate the stereotypical objects with which the English then associated their enemy: they are decorated with schnitzel, sausages, pilsner, wine corks and wild boar. Drawn with Hassall’s distinctive flat colour and striking outlines, Ye Berlyn Tapestrie is a fascinating historical example of war-induced farce, produced by a highly talented artist who could not then have known that the war was set to last for another two years. Together with an introduction which sets out the historical background of its creation, every page of this rarely seen publication is reproduced here in a fold-out concertina, just like the original, to resemble the style of the Bayeux Tapestry.

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Book SynopsisHow does one play bridge in a gas mask? Or enjoy motoring without consuming petrol? Or deal with a nationwide shortage of pea-sticks? For this compact little book Heath Robinson joined forces with writer Cecil Hunt to show civilians ‘how to make the best of things’ during the air raids, rationing, allotment tending and blackouts of the Second World War. The result is a warm celebration of the British population’s ability to ‘make do and mend’.

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Book SynopsisPronunciation governs our regional and social identity more powerfully than any other aspect of spoken language. No wonder, then, that it has attracted most attention from satirists. In this intriguing book, David Crystal shows how our feelings about pronunciation today have their origins in the way our Victorian predecessors thought about the subject, as revealed in the pages of the satirical magazine, Punch. In the sixty years between its first issue in 1841 and the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, jokes about the fashions affecting English usage provide one of Punch's most fruitful veins of humour, from the dropped aitches of the Cockney accent to the upper-class habit of dropping the final ‘g’ (huntin’ and fishin’). For 'We Are Not Amused', David Crystal has examined all the issues during the reign of Queen Victoria and brought together the cartoons and articles that poked fun at the subject of pronunciation, adding a commentary on the context of the times, explaining why people felt so strongly about accents, and identifying which accents were the main source of jokes. The collection brings to light a society where class distinction ruled, and where the way you pronounced a word was seen as a sometimes damning index of who you were and how you should be treated. It is a fascinating, provocative and highly entertaining insight into our on-going amusement at the subject of how we speak.Table of ContentsContents Introduction Mr Punch tries to help Why then? Elocution Walker Provincial peculiarities Poor letter H - upstairs and downstairs Going too far The demand for elocution Spelling out H Spelling bees Cockney vowels Keb, sir? Vowel washing Ambiguities Posh pronunciation Personal intewest Scots pronunciation The wh- problem Dr Johnson on the Scots accent Inoffensive Boswell Pronouncing place-names Underground pronunciations Law and Lindley Murray Pronouncing surnames Actors' pronunciation American pronunciation Taking Cockney seriously? Leaving Walker behind Picture Credits

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Book SynopsisWelcome to Broken Britain! MPs are blaming 'The System' for their thieving behaviour. Bankers have burnt through more cash than President Mugabe and still been bailed out. Britain is Broke. Only one thing's going to sort this mess out - some good old-fashioned finger pointing. It's time to take revenge... Painspotting style. Let the Painspotting commence! This book is more effective than Prozac and cheaper than therapy. You may be angry, you may be mad, you may even be institutionalised, but put the baseball bat away, hang up your lynching rope, and let the Painspotting commence! 50 of the best Love them, hate them, blame them, rate them: The Painspotter's Guide to Broken Britain introduces the 50 most frightful characters you'll meet in a financial crisis, so prepare to laugh out loud at the Frightened Fat Cat, the Miserable Middle Class, the Self-help Saddo and many more.Table of ContentsThe end of boom and bust. Acknowledgements. Let the bad times roll. The About to Retire Retiree. The Bailout Beggar. The Buy-to-Let Basket Case. The Cash Finder. The Celebrity Money Saver. The Cohabiting Divorce. The Conspicuous Consumer. The Credit Crunch Scrounger. The Deadbeat Debtor. The Desperate Estate Agent. The Disposed of Worker (previously known as Our Most Important Asset). The Downwardly Mobile. The Dubai Deserter. The Economic Rioter. The Economically Stressed. The Elusive Tax Evader. The Escaping Entrepreneur. The Ex, Expat. The Extended (to breaking point) Family. The Financial Oracle. The Frightened Fat Cat. The Good Lifer. The Gravy Train Politician. The Grumpy Undergraduate. The Humbled (but still incredibly wealthy) Bank Boss. The Irate Investor. The Living Big Loser. The Low-Bonus Banker. The Miserable Middle Class. The Newly Liberated. The No Responsibility Regulator. The Not Quite Such a Master of the Universe. The Nuevo Altruist. The Organic Food Fly-by-night. The Out of Touch Politician. The Outbound Immigrant. The Petty Thief. The Pissed-off State Pensioner. The Ponzi Schemer. The Pseudo Rich. The Relegated Rich. The Repossessed. The Savvy Squatter. The Secure Civil Servant. The Self-help Sado. The Self-righteous Tightwad. The Taxed to Death. The Unabashed Bankrupt. The Worthless Degree Holder. Afterword – The Blame Game.

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Book SynopsisTolerated in Britain for over 300 years-and ubiquitous throughout the world for much longer - visual satire gives offence in the quickest way and in its purest form. Cartoons have long since established themselves as a legitimate part of the general political discourse. As a cartoonist, it is Rowson's job to give offence. But the flip side of giving offence is, of course, giving comfort to the opponents or victims of the offended. In "Giving Offence", Rowson explains how and why cartoons work, why they matter and why the reactions of the offended are often an even blunter political weapon than the cartoons themselves. This book is in collaboration with "Index on Censorship".

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Book SynopsisMake someone smile and you have done well; make someone laugh out loud, and you have achieved something greater. This witty, wry collection of essays takes the reader from a blue-collar boyhood in Queens across the river to cutthroat Wall Street, across the seas to Japan and Puerto Rico, and back again. Reality and hyperbole collide in tales of life’s universal and painful experiences – the big interview, meeting your future in-laws and travel debacles galore – where to “add a little levity” is to survive, and thrive!Trade Review"In today's world of uncertainty and weighty decisions, 'Adding A Little Levity', is the perfect bedtime read. A chapter a night will leave you smiling, as you drift off into a peaceful sleep. The problem is -you'll be chuckling in your dreams." Sally Fernandez, bestselling author of the Max Ford Thriller Series; "I see a lot of wit bubbling away here and an eye for the farcical nightmare." Arthur Plotnik, bestselling author of Spunk and Bite; "Having a tough day? 'Adding a Little Levity' is just what the doctor ordered. Bob's essays showcase his observational humor and dry wit about a kid from Queens and his escapades (and cringeworthy blunders) in corporate America and beyond. Sure to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step." Erin Moran McCormick, author of Year of Action.

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Book Synopsis"You can print from an iPhone(R). It's the dumbest thing." - Bo Fahs, writer and host of Tele-Friends From the moment we began to digitise our world, we created machines that worked tirelessly to pull all that information zooming around back to the physical world. Enter: the home printer. Perhaps as payback for forming a nonsensical dichotomy, these printers couldn't just work. Not without a fight, at least. No. They insisted on screeching at plane-like decibels, plopping out pages at an excruciatingly slow pace, streaking only the most important documents and running out of ink when you know you JUST refilled the cartridge. From the first consumer inkjet to more modern monstrosities, Sh*tty Printers breaks down the worst offenders of our home offices. Featuring popular and exasperating home staples such as: - The HP Thinkjet 2225A - The Lexmark Z22 - The long forgotten Canon BJC-85 - and many more Each printer is beautifully photographed and ruthlessly torn to shreds as their individual strengths, weaknesses and charisma are scored on sliding scales born from relatable frustration.Trade Review"The author of this book, photographer and humorist J.P. Garrigues, has a weird, uncanny knack for zeroing in on exactly what’s bothering you, before you’ve even noticed it." - Bo Fahs, Foreword Contributor

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Book SynopsisWe all hate printers. This book documents why. Maybe it's the behemoth copier at work. Or the one you use to print boarding passes at home. Or maybe it's the one that haunts your nightmares to this day, the one that never seemed to work, not since the first day you plugged it in. We all have a printer in our lives that we would love to see taken down a notch. From the first consumer inkjet to more modern monstrosities, Sh*tty Printers breaks down the worst offenders of our home offices. Featuring popular and exasperating home staples such as: • The HP Thinkjet 2225A • The Lexmark Z22 • The long forgotten Canon BJC-85 • and many more Each printer is beautifully photographed and ruthlessly torn to shreds as their individual strengths, weaknesses, and charisma are scored on sliding scales born from relatable frustration.Trade Review"You can print from an iPhone. It's the dumbest thing." -Bo Fahs, writer and host of Tele-Friends "This book is fake news." -HP (Probably)

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Book SynopsisInside every one of us is the boundless potential for creativity. Often it's the constant challenges life presents us, simple or complex, that allow us to tap into the very best of our imaginations.In addition to sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch, we possess that most unusual sense: humor. Of all the senses, humor proves to be the most useful when navigating the ups, downs, and in-betweens of life. (Hey, it works for me!)Is it possible that we all might benefit by adopting a more lighthearted approach to life?In this book you will discover some of the brilliant and often funny ways people from all walks of life have successfully tapped into their inner genius-portrayed through a collection of essays accompanied by whimsical Rubes cartoons. May their stories inspire you to Think Like a Cartoonist.

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Book SynopsisThe method and plan of this dictionary of Jamaican English are basically the same as those of the "Oxford English Dictionary", but oral sources have been extensively tapped in addition to detailed coverage of literature published in or about Jamaica since 1655. It contains information about the Caribbean and its dialects, and about Creole languages and general linguistic processes. Entries give the pronounciation, part-of-speach and usage of labels, spelling variants, etymologies and dated citations, as well as definitions. Systematic indexing indicates the extent to which the lexis is shared with other Caribbean countries.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThis tongue-in-cheek dictionary of Southern words and phrases offers a hilarious spoof of the Southern accent. This book is dedicated to all Yankees* in the hope that it will teach them how to talk right.  *Yankee: Anyone who is not from Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and possibly Oklahoma and West-by-God-Virginia. A Yankee may become an honorary Southerner, but a Southerner cannot become a Yankee, assuming any Southerner wanted to.

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and the New York Times bestselling author of Talking as Fast as I Can comes an “insightful, honest, funny, and moving collection of captivating stories” (BuzzFeed).“Graham is fast and furiously funny. . . . Where Graham leads, we will definitely follow.”—E! OnlineLauren Graham has graced countless television screens with her quick-witted characters and hilarious talk show appearances, earning a reputation as a pop culture icon who always has something to say. In her latest book, Have I Told You This Already?, Graham combines her signature sense of humor with down-to-earth storytelling. Graham shares personal stories about her life and career—from her early days spent pounding the pavement while waitressing in New York City, to living on her aunt’s couch during her first Los Angeles pilot season, to

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Book Synopsis

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