"Dorothy Parker collected most of her verse in three compilations from 1926-31, but some of her most entertaining and heartbreaking work was unknown to the general public until 1996, when Stuart Y. Silverstein collected 121 of Mrs. Parker's "lost" poems and free verses in Not Much Fun. Now Mr. Silverstein has added several previously un-collected items, and has expanded his critically acclaimed introduction, in this revised and updated edition ofNot Much Fun." "The heretofore "lost" poem reproduced here was likely typed by Dorothy Parker herself - note the four typographical errors - after her affair with the philandering reporter Charles MacArthur. The original typescript is preserved in the archives of the Special Collections of the Fales Library of New York University." --Book Jacket.

For lovers of words and seekers of wisdom, here is a lively history of aphorisms--the oldest written art form--and the intriguing people who have penned them, from the Buddha to Emily Dickinson.

First published in 1988, this book contains entries on famous American Humorists. Humor has been present in American literature, from the beginning, and has developed characteristics that reflect the American character, both regional and national. Although American literature was, in the past, treated as inferior to British literature, there has always been a large popular audience for the genre, which this book shows. The figures with entries in this encyclopedia not only amuse in their writing, but also aim to enlighten- setting out to expose the foibles and foolishness of society and the individuals who compose it. It is the manner in which these authors try to accomplish this end that determines whether they appear in the volume. Indeed, the book will demonstrate that the best humor has at its base, a ready understanding of human nature.