Focusing on a multitude of genres, this unusual collection stresses the overall importance of humor as an index to popular thought. Primarily descriptive rather than theoretical, each chapter is organized to provide an overview of a specific genre of expression or a significant topic in modern humor. Subjects range from literature, the comic strip, film, broadcast humor, the magazine, and standup comedy, to racial and ethnic humor, women's humor, and political humor. Each genre or topic is traced historically and analyzed with respect to those characteristics that make it unique. A bibliographical essay and checklist is provided for each chapter to facilitate further study.
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Editorial Reviews
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“This comprehensive survey of sources and scholarship should prove invaluable to anyone organizing a course in American humor, and to graduate students or advanced undergraduates as well. There are excellent summaries of respected histories of the field (such as Blair and Hill) and such serious, well-planned chapters as 'The Comics,' 'Humor in Periodicals,' 'Standup Comedy,' 'Women's Humor,' 'Racial and Ethnic Humor,' and 'Political Humor.' Each of these chapters includes a bibliography and a discussion of issues or themes, which might guide further research. The final chapter, 'Folklore Methodology and American Humor Research,' enlarges and enhances the significance of humor as an area of study. Well written and clearly presented, this volume will greatly assist those making their way in this fascinating interdisciplinary area.”–Choice
“. . . Scholars who have pursued folk humor in the United States--from its historicaland cultural roots, through its performance in everyday life, to its interrelationship with various media--will certainly profit from Humor in America's lucid surveys of media-based genres and topics, especially when they emerge out of, intermingle with, or parallel folk humor. . . . I must conlcude that Humor in America is a useful guide for scholars who would trod the narrow paths of canonical literary critics and consensus American Studiers. . . .”–Journal of American Folklore
“. . . Scholars who have pursued folk humor in the United States--from its historicaland cultural roots, through its performance in everyday life, to its interrelationship with various media--will certainly profit from Humor in America's lucid surveys of media-based genres and topics, especially when they emerge out of, intermingle with, or parallel folk humor. . . . I must conlcude that Humor in America is a useful guide for scholars who would trod the narrow paths of canonical literary critics and consensus American Studiers. . . .”–
About the Author
LAWRENCE E. MINTZ is Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland.
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