Isaac Asimov's Treasury of Humor (Paperback)

~ (Author) "IT SO HAPPENS that I have no intention of just telling jokes..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, United States, Isaac Asimov (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

640 jokes, anecdotes, and limericks, complete with notes on how to tell them, from America's leading renaissance man.

About the Author

Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) was one of the most prolific writers of the twentieth century. The author of more than four hundred books, he taught at the Boston University School of Medicine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (February 4, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395572266
• ISBN-13: 978-0395572269
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,263 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #31 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( A ) > Asimov, Isaac
  #52 in	Books > Entertainment > Humor > Jokes & Riddles
  #92 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Anthologies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jokes with a purpose and a lack of meanness, December 21, 2001

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

In an age where humor is often laced with profanity or based on the ridicule of others, it is very pleasant to find a collection that is largely clean and often cerebral. This book contains a recollection of Isaac Asimov's favorite jokes along with instructions on how to deliver them. While Asimov is well-known as a prolific author, he was also a very funny man, possessing a sense of comedic timing that helped him earn hefty fees as a speaker.
While the jokes are good, it is clear that many of them would have to be delivered in the right manner to be funny. As you read Asimov's commentary, it is not difficult to imagine someone telling the story to maximum effect. Therefore, the book could also be used as a source for material as well as a primer on how to deliver an ice-breaking joke at the start of a public speech.
Isaac Asimov was a very talented man, capable of writing well about anything. His sense of humor was highly developed, something that is obvious from this book. I enjoyed it immensely and have occasionally used some of the jokes in my classes

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thinking Man's Collection of Jokes, October 15, 1998

By A Customer

I found this book when I was on a business trip and needed some entertainment in the evening. Most of the jokes and anecdotes lead to a good chuckle and some are hilarious. What appeals to me most about this book is the commentary that Asimov supplies in the way of background to each piece of humor.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb collection!, December 24, 1997

By	[e-mail] "atoz" (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

The ONLY humor compilation I've ever seen in which I laughed at almost all of the jokes. Asimov's commentaries are equally entertaining. Much better than the sequel, "Asimov Laughs Again."