Rhymes for the Irreverent [Hardcover]

Yip Harburg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1877733156 | ISBN-13: 978-1877733154 | Publication Date: January 15, 2006

Yip Harburg, the great American lyricist who wrote "Somewhere, Over the Rainbow," "It's Only a Paper Moon," April in Paris," "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime," and Finian's Rainbow, delights us with his poetic genius in this collection of humorous, iconoclastic, and exhilaratingly human verses. Harburg wrote the lyrics and much of the screenplay for The Wizard of Oz. Although greatly admired for his talent, he was blacklisted for his progressive views. The book includes 150+ poems of light verse illustrated with 47 cartoons by celebrated artist Seymour Chwast. Bonus sections include biographical articles about Harburg's life, collaboration with Harold Arlen, Jay Gorney, Burton Lane, Ira Gershwin, Vernon Duke, and a "Yip in his own words" article about the craft of writing lyrics and light verse. Preface by son Ernie Harburg.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Smile-inducing and thought-provoking. These poems represent Yip's free spirit. He had a tenacious commitment to social justice. --Annie Laurie Gaylor, Freethought Today, January 2006

About the Author

Great American lyricist who wrote "Somewhere, Over the Rainbow," "It's Only a Paper Moon," April in Paris," "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime," and Finian's Rainbow.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. (January 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877733156
• ISBN-13: 978-1877733154
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Beautiful Book, July 10, 2006

By 

Forrest Greene (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rhymes for the Irreverent (Hardcover)

As a graphic designer and a freethinker I was looking forward to receiving this book. To my surprise it was not only a pleasant arrangement of Mr. Harburg's limericks and other writings, it was a beautifully designed book as well.

Rhymes for the Irreverent would make an excellent book for a young person to help present the concept of questioning the world in which we live.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything I hoped for, February 25, 2008

By 

J Mason (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhymes for the Irreverent (Hardcover)

Very wry, rhyming, condensed poems. Just open the book and read a few lines for a laugh, even if the laugh is tinged with sadness for the accuracy of the viewpoint. Very short poems, well expressed and edited.