A Comedy of Pretzels


Book Description

When tradition twists with popular culture and lands on “people’s oral humor,” idealistic Reuben Lamberth finds himself in a mess. He is a young, progressive, inspired scholar teaching at a prestigious northeastern university, but his other unique self has another foot planted secretly in the world of standup comedy as Josh Sandburg. His stage name is a composite of ‘joshing’ and the renowned American poet Carl Sandburg. Neither his fully tenured professor wife Byrra who is enmeshed in a cabal of women’s faculty; his tough minor gangster-hood father Solly; his staid sociology chairperson and conventional colleagues; nor his tyrannical University President Jeremiah Brittle have any idea that he performs in comedy clubs as Josh Sandburg. Should he be outed, there is considerable doubt that he will be upgraded to the coveted position of tenure, and his marriage may suffer as well. Reuben wonders, Is it worth giving up academia and taking a flyer in the world of comedy culture? The finale in this novel reveals tantalizing internecine connections that land squarely the realm of people’s oral humor.




A Comedy of Pretzels


Book Description

When tradition twists with popular culture and lands on "people's oral humor," idealistic Reuben Lamberth finds himself in a mess. He is a young, progressive, inspired scholar teaching at a prestigious northeastern university, but his other unique self has another foot planted secretly in the world of standup comedy as Josh Sandburg. His stage name is a composite of 'joshing' and the renowned American poet Carl Sandburg. Neither his fully tenured professor wife Byrra who is enmeshed in a cabal of women's faculty; his tough minor gangster-hood father Solly; his staid sociology chairperson and conventional colleagues; nor his tyrannical University President Jeremiah Brittle have any idea that he performs in comedy clubs as Josh Sandburg. Should he be outed, there is considerable doubt that he will be upgraded to the coveted position of tenure, and his marriage may suffer as well. Reuben wonders, Is it worth giving up academia and taking a flyer in the world of comedy culture? The finale in this novel reveals tantalizing internecine connections that land squarely the realm of people's oral humor.




Pretzel and the Puppies


Book Description

From the creators of Curious George, this re-discovered 1946 picture book about a family of dachshunds features newly remastered art. The sequel to Pretzel. In Margret and H. A. Rey's Pretzel, we met the world's longest dachshund and his wife, Greta. This book picks up where Pretzel left off, after the birth of their five adorable puppies. In collected comic strips, the Reys explore the drama and comedy of life as a family of seven, and what it means to have a daddy who's sometimes as silly as he is long!




The Unofficial Simpsons Cookbook


Book Description

Turn your favorite cartoon food into reality with these 70 recipes straight from the best comedy show on TV—The Simpsons. Everyone knows and loves The Simpsons. Now you can make the food you’ve seen in the show for thirty-one seasons right in the comfort of your own home faster than you can say, “Mmm...Donuts.” Over the years, Simpsons episodes have featured, and sometimes revolved, around countless food items. Thanks to Homer Simpson’s unending appetite and a writers’ room full of food lovers, the show has a long list of truly iconic dishes. From Chief Wiggum’s Chili to the Flaming Moe (a.k.a. Flaming Homer) to Super Squishees to Krusty Burgers, you’ll find all those recipes and more in The Unofficial Simpsons Cookbook. Featuring 70 recipes that include many of the most classic Simpsons dishes, this cookbook includes easy-to-follow instructions for chefs of all ages and levels. Finally, you can make all your favorite meals straight from Marge’s kitchen in no time!




I Think There's a Terrorist in My Soup


Book Description

On September 11, 2001, veteran comedian David Brenner was in the midst of a 48-week stand-up gig in Las Vegas. Immediately after that day, he cancelled the engagement and instructed his manager to book him on a nationwide tour. He called it the "Laughter to the People" tour, and on it he shared his humor with a grieving nation. Audience response was overwhelming. In this book, Brenner draws on highlights from his stand-up material to show how humor can give us the power to transcend personal and world problems from the unavoidable, like aging, to the uncontrollable, like war. The essays in the book cover a wide range of issues, including fear of flying, aging, marriage and divorce, pets, politics, terrorism, and religion.




Hits and Misses


Book Description

A hilarious collection inspired by a former Saturday Night Live writer's real experiences in Hollywood, chronicling the absurdity of fame and the humanity of failure in a world dominated by social media influencers and reality TV stars. Simon Rich is "one of the funniest writers in America" (Daily Beast) -- a humorist who draws comparisons to Douglas Adams (New York Times Book Review), James Thurber, and P.G. Wodehouse (The Guardian). With Hits and Misses, he's back with a hilarious new collection of stories about dreaming big and falling flat, about ordinary people desperate for stardom and the stars who are bored by having it all. Inspired by Rich's real experiences in Hollywood, Hits and Misses chronicles all the absurdity of fame and success alongside the heartbreaking humanity of failure. From a bitter tell-all by the horse Paul Revere rode to greatness to a gushing magazine profile of everyone's favorite World War II dictator, these stories roam across time and space to skewer our obsession with making it big -- from the days of ancient Babylon to the age of TMZ.




The Energy Bus for Schools


Book Description

National Bestseller Drive Your School Culture to Success with The Energy Bus! Transform your school culture into a thriving and positive environment. In The Energy Bus for Schools: 7 Ways to Improve Your School Culture, Remove Negativity, Energize Your Teachers, and Empower Your Students, bestselling author Jon Gordon and education leader Dr. Jim Van Allan provide concrete strategies and powerful stories to help build a positive school culture. This book shares a unique approach and proven practices for reimagining schools and districts as collaborative places where students and staff create their culture and develop as leaders together. The authors provide the blueprint and framework to create a positive campus culture including: Thriving during times of change Communication to strengthen relationships Proven strategies to empower staff and students Building a connected team Developing a positive mindset Implementing best practices to energize teachers and students Removing negativity that sabotages morale and culture Rediscovering the joy and excitement of being in education This book is intended for superintendents, district and school leadership, teachers, counselors, and coaches who are looking to leave a positive legacy and impact everyone on campus. Join the movement with other visionary educators who have already transformed their schools into dynamic centers of learning and growth.




Bay Area Stand-Up Comedy: A Humorous History


Book Description

Comedians of the San Francisco Bay Area changed comedy forever. From visiting acts like Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and Whoopi Goldberg to local favorites who still maintain their following and legacy, the Bay Area has long been a place for comedians to develop their voice and hone their stand-up skills. Popular spots included Cobb's, the Purple Onion, Brainwash, and the holy grail of San Francisco comedy during the 1980s boom, the Holy City Zoo. For over seventy years, these iconic venues and others fostered talent like Ali Wong, Moshe Kasher and the Smothers Brothers, introducing them to local crowds and the world beyond. Join comedians Nina G and OJ Patterson on a hilarious and thoughtful tour through the history of Bay Area comedy.




Nobody Ever Sees You Eat Tuna Fish


Book Description

In a fond look at days gone by, America's premier comedian takes a sentimental and side-splitting look at the ups and downs of a poor Philly kid who went from the slums to the celebrity spotlight. A heartwarming journey which includes such fabulous characters as Mrs. Crooked Mouth--the nastiest shopper in history, and The Man Who Ate His Finger.Booklist.




PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES


Book Description

In 1940, as a young photographer working for Roy Stryker's Historical Section of the Farm Security Administration (FSA), Jack Delano traveled the length of the eastern seaboard recording the struggles of migrant workers still living in the shadow of the Depression. Late the following year, with the nation on the verge of war, Stryker sent him on a three-month assignment in Puerto Rico where the people he met radiated humor and generosity despite poverty worse than any he had seen in the continental United States. Back on the mainland, Delano traveled across the country photographing the homefront contributions of ethnic and minority groups and spent a month documenting the mobilized railroad system on freight trains between Chicago and California. After serving three years in the army, Delano settled in Puerto Rico, where for the last fifty years he has been a constant participant - as a photographer, filmmaker, television station director, book illustrator, cartoonist, and composer - in the island's cultural life.