The Return of the Portable Curmudgeon

by Jon Winokur

Book Overview

When turning the other cheek just won't do, try fighting back with the cantankerous remarks of some of the crustiest, grouchiest, and cleverest curmudgeons of all time. Profiles of three world-class wordsmiths--Alexander Woollcott, Oscar Wilde, and Robert Benchley--plus interviews with a variety of caustic commentators make this a collection of barbed remarks second to none.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452270308
• ISBN13: 9780452270305
• Release Date: September 1995
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 338 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 6.2"

Customer Reviews

One of my all-time favorite books...when you need a good laugh reach for this!

I just spotted this book again while looking at my other books, to find ones to get rid of to make room for books I am getting for cell biology and microbiology (teaching). Anyway, I'd forgotten how very funny this collection is, and it got me to wondering about one of the major problems in this country today is the declining of American humor. We especially need political humorists that write rather than be on television or radio because oftentimes they say something that if not written down will be forgotten. So many of the humorists in this book are from the same time period, the early to mid-1900s, and many were journalists or writers. We don't seem to have those guys any more and that is our loss. We need people to say sarcastic and pithy and witty comments to the incredibly stupid things done in politics, corporations, and modern society. This is one of those books my husband hates to have me reading, because I want to share all this stuff with him, and I will read it late in the night, laughing my head off. Luckily, he's a heavy sleeper, or he would be up with me all night! A very enjoyable book. They should definitely think about reissuing and updating this book. Surely Jay Leno, or the political humorists today on CNN and comedy channels must say something occasionally that is worth repeating for generations to enjoy. I sure wish I could come up with retorts such as these guys wrote (and some women) as quickly as they did, but unfortunately, that gene bypassed me and went to my husband and kids. Sometimes you just need a good laugh, no matter what your usual reading preferences are! Karen Sadler

A welcome addition to any grouch's library

Those among us who are generally grouchy and pessimistic can find solace and support in the pages of this book. Indeed, the Portable Curmudgeon Redux is a celebration of the art of complaining. You don't have to be a misanthrope to enjoy the humor, but eternally happy, effervescent souls will find little reason to even glance at these pages. This is the province of realism, satire, rapier wit, irritability, and--above all--humor; this book really doesn't take itself too seriously. The book offers a dictionary of quotations for such selected words and concepts as love, marriage, life, lawyers, and advertising, the jewels of wisdom coming from such individuals as Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, and H. L. Mencken. Several specific topics (such as American Presidents, music, and fine art) are singled out for special attention. There are also interviews with personalities such as P.J. O'Rourke, Larry Gelbart, Florence King, and Carrie Fisher. No subject is taboo or safe from the skewering stick of sarcasm, and many of the statements are thought-provoking or just plain funny enough to make special note of. Amuse your friends or pester your enemies with curmudeonly quotes on all manner of subjects.

A KEEPER

Calling all cars! Calling all cars! Be on the look-out for a funny, acerbic collection of smart-alec quotes from the 20th century's greatest cynical wags. Suspect is armed and dangerous with several witticisms, hilarious one-liners and quips. Proceed carefully; you could die laughing.