My first encounter with the title essay of this collection was when I saw it cut out of the New Yorker and posted on the wall next to the door of one of my history professors in graduate school. Having a few minutes to wait until my appointment, I began reading the essay. I am certain that the only reason the other history professors didn't think I was a lunatic for laughing so hard was …showed first 75 words of 624 total…

…showed last 75 words of 624 total…this", at least not in most cases. And this is a book you'll want to share. I frequently found myself reading portions out loud to my wife when I came across a particularly good essay. The cover blurb declares that "Ian Frazier is still the most riotously sophisticated humorist in America." Although I'm not entirely sure this is not a case of hyperbole, Frazier is definitely funny and deserves a larger following than he has.