Wit

Rating:
Summary: Wit can only take you so far - a lightweight art
Review: According to the author wit has to be funny, short and pithy,free- standing (independent of the context in which it originally appears).The author says Wilde was the greatest wit of the nineteenth century and Woody Allen of the twentieth, and the Irish and the Jews are the two wittiest peoples. It is doubtful that the British and the Arabs think so.
In any case here are a few examples of the kinds of things which on the one hand might make you laugh and on the other might make you guilty, because you feel there is something cheap and low about this form of humor.
'Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public' Mencken
'Happiness is having a large caring family in another city' George Burns
"I saw Joe Dimaggio the other night and he wasn't wearing his baseball suit. This struck me as rather foolish.Suppose a ball game broke out in the middle of the night ? By the time he got into his suit the game would be over."
Groucho Marx
There are lots of funny sayings in this book, and lots of clever ones. But wit is essentially a lightweight art

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Breezy
Review: Although I would take issue with the author's contention that this collection of quotes is devoid of filler, it is easily the most entertaining and original collection that I have ever read. I had heard perhaps only a quarter of the hundreds of quotes provided, a very good ratio! All in all, if you want a good, quick, hilarious read - this one is a sure thing. Even the ones you've heard before are worth hearing again.

Rating:
Summary: Truly a book of Wit
Review: There are lots of collections of good quotes, edifying quotes, folk wisdom, etc. But even those devoted to humor rarely tickle both the brain and the funny bone. MacHale has put together the rare exception, with quips and observations that are sharp, funny and usually bitingly true. A joy to read. Recommended for those who liked the Portable Curmudgeon.

Rating:
Summary: Truly a book of Wit
Review: There are lots of collections of good quotes, edifying quotes, folk wisdom, etc. But even those devoted to humor rarely tickle both the brain and the funny bone. MacHale has put together the rare exception, with quips and observations that are sharp, funny and usually bitingly true. A joy to read. Recommended for those who liked the Portable Curmudgeon.