Distory: A Treasury of Historical Insults [Hardcover]

Robert Schnakenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 2004

Distory: A Treasury of Historical Insults is a hilarious collection of insulting historical quotations in the vein of The Portable Curmudgeon that will have history buffs and readers of humor books in stitches. Full of lively quips, jabs, jaunts and put downs by and about notable figures, it covers all epochs of mostly Western history. Schnakenberg has collected more than 600 historical insults into this first collection of its kind.

Included:
"A German singer! I should as soon expect to get pleasure from the neighing of my horse."
- Alexander the Great

"Belgium is just a country invented by the British to annoy the French."
- Charles de Gaulle

"What can you do with a man who looks like a female llama surprised when bathing?"
- Winston Churchill on Charles de Gaulle

"Jerry Ford is so dumb he can't fart and chew gum at the same time."
- Lyndon B. Johnson

"Avoid all needle drugs - -the only dope worth shooting is Richard Nixon."
- Abbie Hoffman

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Distory goes beyond traditional rhetoric to offer a tart collection of historical quotes. A bitter, tasty treat.”
- Sterling Johnson, author of English As A Second F*cking Language

About the Author

Robert Schnakenberg is the author of several popular biographies, including the acclaimed Encyclopedia Shatnerica, the first A-Z guide to the life and career of William Shatner, and a frequent contributor to pop culture and reference publications such as Contemporary Authors, The Grolier Library of International Biographies, The St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture and Bowling, Beatnicks, and Bell-Bottoms: Pop Culture of the 20th Century.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First Edition edition (November 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312326718
• ISBN-13: 978-0312326715
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,121,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Civilized DIScourse, January 14, 2005

By 

lee freke "journalist" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Distory: A Treasury of Historical Insults (Hardcover)

History and Language are incomplete without a study of the art of cursing. This is because it takes superior wit to pull it off.

In Distory, we are treated to a feast of mordant vituperatives compiled from the annals of history. This small book--179 pages-- has chapters focussing on some insults of notable Americans, Brits, and nations. It concludes with some unclassified extras.

Readers who expect to find funny insults, though there are some, will be disappointed. Others who suppose to pick up some quotable quotes will share a similar fate. The collection is simply an entertaining peek into the thoughts of famous men and their contemporaries.

Most of the material is lively, however when compared to the political and journalistic discourse of nowadays, they look rather tame. Harry Truman's comments were weak, undeserving of the pages of the book. Attention should rather be given to Winston Churchill and Ben Franklin, my caustic favorites.

Distory is for those looking for nice metaphors and historical figures. Anyone else; not for you.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Distory a Disappointment, February 16, 2007

By 

Pat J (Waynesville, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Distory: A Treasury of Historical Insults (Hardcover)

There were a few funny insults in this book, but most were neither funny nor interesting. Detailed background to accompany each insult would have helped, but overall Distory was a big disappointment.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "He is incapable of thought,because he has nothing to think with." -Woodrow Wilson on Warren Harding, December 4, 2006

By 

J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Distory: A Treasury of Historical Insults (Hardcover)

This is only a small,hardcover tome, about the same size of a paperback. Don't let that fool you as it's 179 pages is packed with some of the most biting sarcasm and timely retorts you're likely to find anywhere.

It covers some of the best known politicans and military figures;mainly from America and Britain;with a smattering from other countries. The author titled his chapter on "Insulting miscellany from around the world "

--SLAMAGUNDI--what a word!

What I really like is when ,after a good insult on someone, ends up with even a better one handed right back. How's this;

Lord Sandwich: You will die either on the gallows or of the pox.

John Wilkes: That must depend on whether I embrace your lordship's

principles or your mistress.

And then these;

An economic fatalist with a God-given inertia.He knew nothing and

refused to learn.--W.A.White,Journalist on Calvin Coolidge

I am not fit for this office and should never have been here.

--Warren G. Harding on himself

How many divisions has he got?--Josef Stalin,on Pope Pius XI

Then there are words that one wish were not said;

The Americans cannot build airplanes.They are very good at

refrigerators and razor blades. --Herman Goering

Some great lines and likely to amuse just aout anyone.