Humorists: From Hogarth to Noel Coward

Description

"It is Johnson's gift that he can make his subjects human and fallible enough that we would...recognize them instantly, while also illuminating what made them heroes." -Washington Post Book World on Heroes "Johnson is a clear, intelligent, forceful writer, and nothing if not thorough." -Wall Street Journal Paul Johnson, the acclaimed author of Creators, Heroes, and the New York Times bestseller Intellectuals, returns with a captivating collection of biographical portraits of the Western world's greatest wits and humorists. With chapters dedicated to history's sharpest tongues and most piercing pens, including Benjamin Franklin, Toulouse-Lautrec, G.K. Chesterton, Damon Runyan, W.C. Fields, the Marx Brothers, and many more, Johnson's Humorists is an exciting compendium of our most enduring comical and satirical innovators.

Paul Johnson is a historian whose work ranges over the millennia and the whole gamut of human activities. His History of Christianity and History of the Jews describe the religious dimension, his Modern Times encapsulates the 20th century, and his Art, a New History is the story of visual culture in all its forms from the cave painters to today. He contributes a weekly essay to the Spectator, a monthly column to Forbes, and practices the gentle art of watercolor painting. He has four children and eight grandchildren.

"Warmly appealing ... This book's long view, and its deep eccentricities, are what give it a burnished glow ... It's a pleasure to sit around the gently crackling fire that is Mr. Johnson's mind." -- New York Times "Johnson assembles a truly enlightening and readable history of humor." -- Washington Post "A rich set of essays ... Johnson casts a wide net and he hauls in good material ... Fine anecdotes, examples, and insights ... Handsomely written." -- The Economist "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." -- Booklist (starred review)