In Intellectuals, Paul Johnson offered a fascinating portrait of the minds that have shaped the modern world. In Creators, he examined a host of outstanding and prolific creative spirits. And in Heroes, he brought together a galaxy of legendary figures from the annals of Western history. Now, Johnson turns his impressive intellect and piercing insight to the greatest wits in the history of the Western world.
His is a selective survey across history, and includes a diverse cast of legendary humorists who got a grand kick out of life, including Benjamin Franklin and the Marx Brothers, Charles Dickens and Damon Runyon, W. C. Fields and Samuel Johnson, William Hogarth and James Thurber. Including dark humor, broad satire, bawdy wit, biting sarcasm, and more, this entertaining and erudite collection brings to life great minds who reflected on life's follies, pretensions, and foibles with that greatest of gifts: humor.
"This book's long view, and its deep eccentricities, are what give it a burnished glow. You'll want to consume it with good Scotch and (what the hell) maybe even a pipe…It's a pleasure to sit around the gently crackling fire that is Mr. Johnson's mind."
"A tour de force…A remarkable achievement."
"A magnificent achievement…brilliantly combines broad sweep with extraordinary detail."
"Johnson masterfully weaves a narrative line among the figures, many of whom don't spring to mind as comic, with a deep appreciation for their wit in writing, filmmaking, painting, and living."
