The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest Book (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: winning caption, caption contest, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The New Yorker presents the best of the cartoon caption contest. Write your own captions for the top 100 cartoon contests, then see the best, and all the rest.

Since its inception in 1925, the New Yorker has been world famous for its cartoons. Not surprisingly, the cartoon caption contest has quickly become one of the magazine's most popular features. Located on the back page, the contest invites readers to craft their own captions for the weekly cartoon. Thousands enter each week, but only one wins.

This entertaining collection, the first of six books in an exclusive series with Andrews McMeel Publishing, presents the top 100 caption contests, with the winners, the runners-up, and everyone in between (available on-line), plus fun facts and stats about who is entering and why. Learn how the finalists came up with their captions, and how their lives changed after winning. Discover the inner workings of the caption contest and then see if you have what it takes to be a successful cartoon caption writer.

About the Author

Although its reviews and events listings often focus on cultural life within New York City, The New Yorker boasts an international audience and is well-known for its commentaries on popular culture and eccentric Americana; its attention to modern fiction and poetry by the inclusion of short stories, literary reviews, and original poems; its rigorous fact-checking and copyediting; its journalistic regard for world politics and social issues; and its famous single-panel cartoons sprinkled throughout each edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740777505
• ISBN-13: 978-0740777509
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #289,101 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only worthwhile if you like to laugh. Otherwise, move along., November 11, 2008

By	K. Swanson (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

How has no one reviewed this yet?

I love the NY caption contest and although I've not yet ever bothered to enter, I feel, along with many thousands of others no doubt, that many of my captions are much better than these rubes have managed. Nonetheless, there are many classics in here, and the little extra stories that go along with them are oft fascinating.

If you love cartoons, especially single panels, then this is a fine tome indeed. It makes you think about what makes a cartoon great, and encourages the imagination to flow freely and funnily. Square deal.

Have we turned the corner to a newer, brighter, funnier America? If so, here's a fine companion to a more pleasant and enjoyable era.

And really, my caption for contest 165, 10/20/08, should grace the next edition of this compilation: "Actually, after taxes we turn a profit."

While not the insane bonanza of the complete NY cartoon collection, this is a worthy purchase for those who need to laugh some more. Which means you.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What's funny and what wins, December 26, 2008

By	Jon Hunt "musician, teacher" (Old Greenwich, Ct. USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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This delightful compilation of The New Yorker cartoon contest of captions will keep readers engrossed from beginning to end. Rather than simply introducing the winning captions, the book is set up to give finalists a chance to shine... as well as the top runners-up. Voting percentages are presented for first, second and third place but some of the real interest in the cartoon caption contest book comes from winners and finalists interviewed after their caption had been submitted. The process of how ideas are formulated is as intriguing as the captions themselves.

A revelation about the book comes from the recognition that the funniest captions do not always translate into the winning ones. The weekly submissions number in the thousands, so entrants must realize their chances of acceptance are slim. Clearly, however, this doesn't seem to stop many from entering and entering often...indeed, like winning the lottery, the jackpot is even sweeter.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have absolutely no will power! :(, December 11, 2008

By	Robert C. Ross (New Jersey) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Every week, I promise myself I'll read the last page of "The New Yorker" LAST.

Every week, somehow the magazine falls open to that page every single week. Ah well, next week I'll do better.

The three week cycle is almost perfect in building suspense and sometimes disappointment: the first appearance of the cartoon filled with mystery and draft captions of my own; the second appearance either disappointment or delight at how clever readers who are competing often are; and the third appearance sometimes a bit of a let down, but always funny and besides, there are two other cartoons always in the pipeline.

The book brings back many of the joys of old favorites; the follow up stories of the winners are pleasant; and the pie charts of the votes very enlightening. [I've discovered I'm very often in a very distinct minority.]

Hilarious. A great book for any one who enjoys cartoons.

Robert C. Ross 2008