The Funniest Pages

David Swick and Richard Lance Keeble have produced the definitive scholarly anthology on the varied uses of humor in the journalist's arsenal. Starting in the mid-17<UP>th century and ending with an essay on Twitter, they have enlisted 17 superb scholars from seven countries to examine the sociocultural roles of wit/comedy/mirth/hilarity/satire/absurdity/whatever in journalism. Though certainly a pleasure to read, rest assured: it is no joking matter. (David Abrahamson, Professor of Journalism and Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence, The Medill School, Northwestern University) In their zeal to seriously joke around, editors David Swick and Richard Lance Keeble and their contributors have ensured that The Funniest Pages starts fast and doesn't let up in telling an alternate history of literary journalism through the richly rewarding lens of humor. The result is an entertaining, effective and convincing parallel universe that showcases the many virtues of employing satire as a weapon to laugh all the way from birth to grave. (Bill Reynolds, Editor, Literary Journalism Studies) Any book in which a writer asks 'What's funny about men?' is worth buying. This is the only academic work which has intentionally made me laugh. If you thought Mad magazine was just a 1950s comic about a boy with big ears, or that snark was wartime whale meat, you need to read this book! It goes right up to the present too, with a fearless and funny look at Twitter et al. It's really about poking fun at power, and should be essential reading for anyone who takes journalism seriously. Lol! (Lis Howell, Professor, City University London)