Grade 9 Up-An edifying, if somewhat dry, study in which 15 five- to ten-page essays are divided among three chapters: "Sources of American Humor," "From Regional to National Types," and "The Twentieth-Century Transformation." Specific works that are covered in depth include The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Invisible Man, Catch-22, Catcher in the Rye, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, and Slaughterhouse Five. The articles are relatively easy to read. Each one begins with a brief summary of its main argument to help novice readers and researchers discern its value. There are only two illustrations-a photo of The Three Stooges and a drawing from Huckleberry Finn. The book does, however, include a number of valuable quotes and occasional lengthier passages from important works about humor, such as a page from Mark Twain's "How to Tell an American Story." The chronology spans the years 1637-1996, "For Further Research" is three pages long, the contents page is annotated, and the foreword discusses "The Evolution of American Humor." Absent from this volume is much consideration of the great female humorists, especially Flannery O'Connor and Dorothy Parker. However, it is a solid work.
Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"An extensive study. The introduction places the genre in its historical and literary context, and is invaluable as a touchstone for the essays that follow. The selections are by a wide range of writers and scholars...The chapter headings are annotated so that their contents are easily recognized and accessible. In fact, each article can stand alone as a study of the individual topic. Together, however, the essays can be read for a complete and fascinting study of the genre. An excellent resource to learn the trends and modes of the genre from the broadest sense to the most particular."
-- School Library Journal (November 2001) (School Library Journal 20010701)
"In general, the essays cover an idea, a philosophy, or a literary technique shared by several authors of the period. Most information on works and authors comes in small pieces wthin essays, which often proves entirely sufficient for students needing support for a research topic."
-- Booklist (March 2000) (20010701)
"Greenhaven Press has produced a series of books on Literary Movements and Genres designed to enhance the reader's understanding of and appreciation for the various literary movements and their impact on society - and the impact that society and history have had upon the writers of different eras."
-- Eclectic Book Reviews (UNKNOWN 20010301)
"The introduction to this title immediately challenges preconceptions...A historical overview of the genre and a discussion of its forms precede 20 well-chosen essays by prominent literary critics. Introductory notes to the entries are an additional aid to understanding. This book would make a good supplemental classroom text or a source for individual research with teacher guidance."
-- School Library Journal (October 2001) (School Library Journal 20010301)
"This is the sort of resource every librarian will want to have on a personal shelf...as well as in adult or parenting collections."
-- School Library Journal (July 2001) (School Library Journal 20000501)
"This text provides an excellent foundation for further study of this important literary movement. Readers will become aware of the major writers of the period as well as some of their most significant works."
-- Kliatt (July 2001) (KLIATT 20000401)
"A clear, scholarly introduction to the main ideas, subjects, and literary works identified...A succinct statement of the critic's argument precedes each essay. A useful resource for upper-division undergradutes through faculty, this volume is particularly recommended for beginning undergraduates who will find it readily accessible."
-- Choice (March 2001) (Choice 20000315)
"This series would be quite handy for teachers since it brings together excerpts from number of sources that would otherwise be a chore to locate. Together would then be better able to guide the students to an appreciation of the topic."
-- Kliatt (March 2001) (KLIATT )
"The articles have been excerpted from a variety a sources, and edited for clarity. English students and teachers alike will appreciate these collections of literary criticism that examine a variety of authors, styles, and themes."
-- Kliatt (May 2000) (KLIATT )
"While the book contains some literary jargon, students will find it a helpful companion to other sources. A chronology lists authors and their works. Students doing reserch will appreciate the four-page topical bibliography and detailed index."
-- School Library Journal (April 2000) (School Library Journal )
"Particularly helpful to students will be the prefaces to the articles, each one summarizing the author's main points. Well-written and accessible, this will support curricula."
-- Booklist (March 2000) (Booklist )
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