Humor buffs and poetry lovers will laugh out loud with this captivating collection of more than 350 limericks featuring limerick legends plus renowned political figures, poets, and writers.

For more than 200 years, the limerick has been loved for its mordant wit, breathtaking rhymes, swinging rhythm, groaning puns, and ability to paint outrageous mental pictures. This book analyzes the limerick's origin and evolution as the best-known humorous verse form in the English-speaking world. It also examines previous attempts to capture the history of the limerick, including those that used guesswork, presented flawed conclusions and even contradicted each other. Findings are laid out logically and chronologically, so readers can easily follow the thread of every claim.

Includes: "Poetic elements in Sanskrit literature " explains the extensive use of verse in Indian texts. "Introduction to Metrics " gives a clear overview of Sanskrit prosody. "A Treasury of Common Meters" includes fully-worked examples of verses drawn from many sources. "Figures of Speech" explains similies, metaphors, and other poetic uses of language. "Figures of Sound" explains techniques that affect sound, such as rhyme and alliteration. A metrical analysis of the Hathapradipika, the best-known work on Hatha Yoga, is included. An Introduction to the Hathapradipika by Anthony Biduck summarizes key spiritual and philosophical ideas of Hatha Yoga.

American national trade bibliography.

A world list of books in the English language.