I like Jimmy Carr but this was a poor excuse for a book. If this was a joke, well, it was a fucking joke! ( )

First, a couple of points to be aware of regarding this book: (1) You do not need to be a fan of Jimmy Carr to appreciate and enjoy it. That said, I am a Jimmy Carr fan – in fact he is probably my favourite comedian – but even if I had never heard of him, I would have really liked this. (2) This is not a joke book. It’s a book *about* jokes. There is a joke (typically a snappy one-liner) at the foot of every page, and at the end of each chapter there are about four pages of jokes related to the subject of that chapter, but essentially this is a book about the history of jokes, the purpose they serve, the way they evolve, and the value of jokes in various cultures and across generations.

It’s a fascinating read, told in an engaging style by Carr and Greeves, and each chapter held my interest. They manage to keep the tone light but also really informative, and cover such subjects as why clowns are scary, and how different cultures have mythical japesters, some of whom are not only funny but also fairly sinister. The politics of joking is covered, and also a chapter on where (and if) humour should draw a line. Are there for example, some subjects which it is never safe to joke about?

I found this thoroughly absorbing and very well written. Hats off to both authors for a terrific read. ( )

Plenty of entertaining jokes, plus interesting observations on humor. ( )

enjoyable, well researched and funny book. ( )

This is a strange book. At the bottom of each page is a short joke and the chapters are liberally sprinkled with quips and shaggy dog stories (see the book for an explanation as to whence that term was derived): at the same time, it is a well researched history of humour and a review of current ideas as to the value and scope of wit.
The only point at which I find myself at issue with the authors' generally well thought out argument is when they broach the subject of the boundaries of taste and humour. Jimmy Carr and Lucy Greeves who, otherwise cover the broad swathe of their topic with an admirable impartiality, seem to say that anything goes in humour; religion should be big enough to take a little chiding upon the chin - but, of course, racist jokes are unacceptable and we need to avoid cheap shots at a person's infirmities. These appear to be pretty arbitrary distinctions and i presume that we must assume that humour must not transgress the boundaries that I hold to be important, but your limits are fair game to be tested by my "wit". Comedians should tackle whatever subject they feel the need to assault, but at the same time, they must expect a backlash should they trample too greatly upon our beliefs ( )