What’s so funny?
Author: Jim Holt
Why is it funny when Will Ferrell plays a cowbell in an ill-fitting brown shirt? How is Bob Newhart able to make you laugh with just a deadpan look on his face? The answers to these questions are considerably more complicated than you might think. But essayist and part time philosopher Jim Holt isn’t afraid to tackle the big questions, exploring the origins of humor in Stop Me If You’ve Heard This.
Both cute and funny…
Dividing his search into two sections, Holt – an avid joke collector over the years – starts with a history of the joke and then moves on to a deeper look at the philosophy of humor. Surprised by how rarely the wise men and women in the ivory towers of academia have attempted to understand this topic, Holt has to search far and wide for answers. Spanning the centuries, from the first known joke books in imperial Rome to Garry Shandling penis jokes, the author covers a lot of amusing ground.
Which way?
Frequently sharing the jokes in his collection – both the witty and the awful – Holt’s inquisitive approach to the topic is consistently engaging and entertaining. No joke is too tasteless to be examined, from Helen Keller to child abuse. While he fails to establish a single unified theory of humor, he provides much food for thought on a topic that only the snootiest prude could fail to find engaging.
More aptly labeled a long essay than a full book, Stop Me If You’ve Heard This manages to present a serious and scholarly investigation with plenty of silliness. It’s a fun and light-hearted read for anyone who enjoys a decent laugh, chuckle or witticism.
— D. Driftless
My review of another Holt book, Why Does the World Exist?
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- Best Non-Fiction of 2016 - February 1, 2017
- Little Free Library Series — Savannah - May 22, 2015
- Little Free Library Series — Wyoming - November 30, 2014