What do you think?
Rate this book
Of All Things
Published in 1922 and 1921, respectively, these collections of Benchley's humorous essays feature his observations on daily life, ranging from marriage, business, and gardening to newspapers, opera, trout fishing, and even toothaches. The jokes no doubt are a bit dated, but human nature doesn't change that much.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
A brightly appealing collection of inimitable comic essays by a whimsical master of American humor. Originally published in 1921, Of All Things! and a companion volume, Love Conquers All, published in 1922 and also available now in a Common Reader Edition, were the first books by a true American original, one whose wry, befuddled, and gently exasperated outlook on life can never go out of date. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"This collection of Benchley's writings, appearing in magazines prior to 1920 or so, pleases the reader on several levels. There are articles whose humor hasn't faded in the 80 or more years since they were written such as "Coffee, Megg and Ilk," or "The Passing of the Orthodox Paradox," containing a nice parody of Oscar Wilde's plays. I think these are as funny to us as they were to the readers when they were written. There are others, such as "Lesson Number One," that tells about learning to drive at a time when an automobile was as exotic a possession as, say, a home computer in the early 1990s. These are funny in a different way, and I enjoyed reading them even though the things they laugh at are decades out of date.
Anyone who has suffered through learning to play bridge will enjoy "Not According to Hoyle," and those who sympathize with the record number of Americans finding it hard to pay all their bills will delight in "Turning Over a New Ledger Leaf." Those who read old literature will get a kick out of his pastiche of annotated Shakespeare in "Shakespeare Explained," and anybody who has read a novel in which the plot is advanced by letters exchanged between two viewpoint characters will laugh at "When Genius Remained Your Humble Servant."
All in all, an excellent collection of humor writings not available elsewhere." - Amazon Reviewer
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
A brightly appealing collection of inimitable comic essays by a whimsical master of American humor. Originally published in 1921, Of All Things! and a companion volume, Love Conquers All, published in 1922 and also available now in a Common Reader Edition, were the first books by a true American original, one whose wry, befuddled, and gently exasperated outlook on life can never go out of date. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"This collection of Benchley's writings, appearing in magazines prior to 1920 or so, pleases the reader on several levels. There are articles whose humor hasn't faded in the 80 or more years since they were written such as "Coffee, Megg and Ilk," or "The Passing of the Orthodox Paradox," containing a nice parody of Oscar Wilde's plays. I think these are as funny to us as they were to the readers when they were written. There are others, such as "Lesson Number One," that tells about learning to drive at a time when an automobile was as exotic a possession as, say, a home computer in the early 1990s. These are funny in a different way, and I enjoyed reading them even though the things they laugh at are decades out of date.
Anyone who has suffered through learning to play bridge will enjoy "Not According to Hoyle," and those who sympathize with the record number of Americans finding it hard to pay all their bills will delight in "Turning Over a New Ledger Leaf." Those who read old literature will get a kick out of his pastiche of annotated Shakespeare in "Shakespeare Explained," and anybody who has read a novel in which the plot is advanced by letters exchanged between two viewpoint characters will laugh at "When Genius Remained Your Humble Servant."
All in all, an excellent collection of humor writings not available elsewhere." - Amazon Reviewer
55 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
42 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Robert Benchley
131Ìýbooks74ÌýfollowersRobert Charles Benchley was an American humorist best known for his work as a newspaper columnist and film actor. From his beginnings at the Harvard Lampoon while attending Harvard University, through his many years writing essays and articles for Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, and his acclaimed short films, Benchley's style of humor brought him respect and success during his life, from New York City and his peers at the Algonquin Round Table to contemporaries in the burgeoning film industry.
Benchley is best remembered for his contributions to The New Yorker, where his essays, whether topical or absurdist, influenced many modern humorists. He also made a name for himself in Hollywood, when his short film How to Sleep was a popular success and won Best Short Subject at the 1935 Academy Awards, and his many memorable appearances in films such as Alfred Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent and a dramatic turn in Nice Girl?. His legacy includes written work and numerous short film appearances.
Benchley is best remembered for his contributions to The New Yorker, where his essays, whether topical or absurdist, influenced many modern humorists. He also made a name for himself in Hollywood, when his short film How to Sleep was a popular success and won Best Short Subject at the 1935 Academy Awards, and his many memorable appearances in films such as Alfred Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent and a dramatic turn in Nice Girl?. His legacy includes written work and numerous short film appearances.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 5, 2020
I've enjoyed Robert Benchley's humor, since I first got interested, in the members of The Algonquin Round Table. His shorts from the 30's are very amusing and are a lot of fun to watch. I ran across this book, at my local bookstore. I have read many stories, from the other members, but never Benchley, until now.
I enjoyed many of the stories that is in this collection, Benchley's voice comes through all of them. But sadly, do to so many years since it's publishing, the book is close to a 100 years old. Some of the stories are battered by time. But I still, found something enjoyable from each story.
I enjoyed many of the stories that is in this collection, Benchley's voice comes through all of them. But sadly, do to so many years since it's publishing, the book is close to a 100 years old. Some of the stories are battered by time. But I still, found something enjoyable from each story.
April 9, 2018
WASP "humor." If you like jokes about furnaces, bridge and Yale, this is for you.
March 7, 2014
It was worth reading this book just to be reminded of how far we have come in the past 90 years. And the author's dry sense of humor was delightful. My favorite chapter was "The Scientific Scenario". He has nice skills with satire.
January 17, 2015
Not only was Benchley a humorist of note, he was a humorist of the entire scale and then some.
June 10, 2015
Very funny and wonderful reads. Silly but poignant!
April 17, 2024
Time for a short freebie for Kindle from Amazon. I'm always amazed at how well his writing and choice of topics have held up over 100 years. (Well, sad to say, the essay about the phone book will not be relevant soon.) How many of us still try to catch the bartender's attention at a crowded bar? There's even an essay on "fuel savings" but the fuel is coal, not gas.
I just finished reading , and Benchley makes some comments about the League of Nations here.
Can you imagine reading on a ticker tape what was happening in a football game?
I looked it up, Horace W. Furnace did *not* invent the furnace.
I just finished reading , and Benchley makes some comments about the League of Nations here.
Can you imagine reading on a ticker tape what was happening in a football game?
I looked it up, Horace W. Furnace did *not* invent the furnace.
February 1, 2020
Time is not kind...
Most of the material in this book has none of its humorous edge, too much is period refers to things long past to the point of forgotten. Unless you are reading it purely from historical curiosity its probably not worth the effort.
Most of the material in this book has none of its humorous edge, too much is period refers to things long past to the point of forgotten. Unless you are reading it purely from historical curiosity its probably not worth the effort.
January 29, 2023
Fantastic read. Not every essay was a winner, and many of the pop cultural references from the 1920s were obscure, but Benchley’s writing when focused on people was witty, biting, and truthful. The best humor usually is.
February 5, 2018
I picked this up because Dave Barry said Benchley was one of his favorite humor authors. I didn't think the stories here were very humorous, more charming really.
August 9, 2019
Too lightweight for 5 stars, but some very amusing stuff in this collection. It makes a good bedside book for dipping into.
October 24, 2024
Not the best of Benchley's writings, but still amusing.
July 16, 2012
In the same light-as-souffle genre of P.G. Wodehouse and some writings of E.B. White, this book is very light-hearted. The major problem is that the topics are very aged -- most of the household appliances he mentioned would be a mystery to modern reading -- and some of his opinions may now be considered prejudicial. This book is the product of a bygone time with all its flavor and oddities and charms preserved in these aged pages.
March 17, 2011
Bob Benchley is very much the Dave Barry of the 1920's. Very funny, but pretty silly too. I laughed out loud a lot, but I didn't finish all the articles. Some of them were about topics I couldn't relate to--like coal burning furnaces. I still got the gist, but it wasn't as funny. About halfway through my fickle brain was ready to move onto another book.
October 21, 2013
I get the impression that some people don't understand that this book is written as satire.
If you want a very good example of dry American humor from the early 20th century (1920s..1940s), read this book. If you are familiar with Robert Benchly's work in short films, you'll hear his voice coming through as you read.
If you want a very good example of dry American humor from the early 20th century (1920s..1940s), read this book. If you are familiar with Robert Benchly's work in short films, you'll hear his voice coming through as you read.
December 24, 2016
Benchley's first collection has its moments, starting with the dedication to the inventor of "the Bessemer steel converter" and continuing through the preface, which merely reproduces the Declaration of Independence, but most of what follows is lesser Benchley, light but rarely outright funny. He hadn't hit his stride and there's no use pretending.
February 23, 2019
Funny and light!
Mr. Benchley is an easy read that tickles the over tickled mind even by today's so-called smart and sophisticated set of writers that uses way too many bad words to get their point across!
Mr. Benchley is an easy read that tickles the over tickled mind even by today's so-called smart and sophisticated set of writers that uses way too many bad words to get their point across!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.