Reviews
'A rich set of essays . . . . Johnson casts a wide net and he hauls in good material . . . . Fine anecdotes, examples, and insights . . . . Handsomely written.' ( The Economist ), A rich set of essays . . . . Johnson casts a wide net and he hauls in good material . . . . Fine anecdotes, examples, and insights . . . . Handsomely written., Johnson masterfully weaves a narrative line among the figures, many of whom don't spring to mind as comic, with a deep appreciation for their wit in writing, filmmaking, painting, and living., Johnson masterfully weaves a narrative line among the figures, many of whom don t spring to mind as comic, with a deep appreciation for their wit in writing, filmmaking, painting, and living., "Warmly appealing . . . . This book's long view, and its deep eccentricities, are what give it a burnished glow . . . . It's a pleasure to sit around the gently crackling fire that is Mr. Johnson's mind." -- New York Times "Johnson assembles a truly enlightening and readable history of humor." -- Washington Post "A rich set of essays . . . . Johnson casts a wide net and he hauls in good material . . . . Fine anecdotes, examples, and insights . . . . Handsomely written." -- The Economist "Johnson masterfully weaves a narrative line among the figures, many of whom don't spring to mind as comic, with a deep appreciation for their wit in writing, filmmaking, painting, and living." -- Booklist (starred review), Warmly appealing. . . . This book's long view, and its deep eccentricities, are what give it a burnished glow. . . . It's a pleasure to sit around the gently crackling fire that is Mr. Johnson's mind., Warmly appealing . . . . This book's long view, and its deep eccentricities, are what give it a burnished glow . . . . It's a pleasure to sit around the gently crackling fire that is Mr. Johnson's mind.
