First published 2011
Andy Borowitz tackles the question of what makes funny people laugh by assembling fifty American writers who crack him up. The collection spans from Mark Twain's political satire to contemporary voices like David Sedaris, Nora Ephron, and George Saunders. Borowitz draws from literary giants like James Thurber and Dorothy Parker alongside comedy legends including Lenny Bruce and Woody Allen. The anthology pulls pieces from major publications like The New Yorker, Esquire, and The Onion, showcasing both celebrated classics and hidden gems. Writers explore everything from Hunter S. Thompson's gonzo journalism at the Kentucky Derby to Dave Barry's relationship advice and Bernie Mac's fearless observations. The collection reveals how American humor has evolved while maintaining its sharp edge, offering readers a master class in comic writing from someone CBS Sunday Morning calls "one of the funniest people in America."
Genres: anthologies, humor, 20th-century, american, comedy, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: anthology, hidden-gems
Period: Kentucky Derby
461 pages · Hardcover · Library of America