An absolutely brilliant collection of puns riddles and groaners from two award winners in the field.Richard Letterer is the author of the acclaimed "Anguished English" series and is probably the most quoted author on internet joke lists. He is a recipient of the Punster of the Year from The International Save The Pun Foundation, the premier body for paronomasiacs. James Ertner placed second in the 2000 International O. Henry Punoffs and is the author of a previous animal pun book. All the jokes are clean enough for a nine year old but sophisticated enough for English scholars. What a bargain. Over 4000 riddles and groaners, over 600 pages for $. The paperback sells for $ and is worth it. I would rate this as the top book of puns available today in print or by electronic media

My biggest concern is that amazon is not crediting the real brain behind this book- james ertner.

the book is absolutely the best- I chuckled all the way thru. there is material here for business talks, church talks, and great laughs around the dining room table- highly recommend it.

and why not credit jim ertner as well as mr lederer?

This is by far the funniest -- and punniest -- book I've ever seen. And over 4,500 jokes for only [...] makes this the bargain of the millennium.

I've had a lot of fun with this book, testing my own knowledge of literary trivia and using it on friends in my book discussion group. Appealing format, informative and entertaining. This would be a great gift for any bibliophile.

Entertainingly organized by topic, and with question lists, "Literary Trivia" is truly fun and games for book lovers.

This stuff is trivia, but Richard Lederer deals only with the big authors. He doesn't ask you any inane questions about authors who no one has ever read. That would be taking trivia a step farther than what is useful. Anyone with a decent reading list will know many of the questions, and he presents them in such a way that it also turns out to be fun learning.

What will you learn? Delightfully, nothing of consequence. Each chapter begins with a pithy discussion of what little quiz or game is to follow.

For example: in a chapter about how books end, Lederer tells us about the origin of "cock and bull stories". Then, he lists 15 quotes to match with 15 books, and then 15 authors to match accordingly. He also generously supplies the answers.

You'll ponder pen names, significant numbers, the Bible in the news (impressive overall subsection on this very influential book), and, of course, a fair dose of Shakespeare trivia.

Every chapter is succinct. Get stuck or bored with one? Move onward.

This is more than bathroom bookshelf fodder, but a couch and cola book. Teachers can use this to excite students about books. Any coffeeshop owner ought to grab a few copies as well.

By the way, yes: Milton, Melville and Mencken are in here.

Do I recommend this book? Wholeheartedly.

Anthony Trendl

The answer is yes-if you're an English teacher who is always looking for ways to get kids engaged with research methods in the library. This book is filled with challenges that set students in motion in the library. The rest of the non-high school world of readers should find this book a pleasant diversion and a more stimulating breakfast companion than the daily crossword.

I like to call myself a word-fun-atic. I like rhyming, tongue twisters, puns, puzzles with words, and generally anything that turns a rather complex language into a new twist, perhaps with wacky spoonerisms (one of my favorites) or various teasers to think about on the drive to work. Lots of great word squares that boggle the mind to imagine even attempting to construct. The book is certainly recommended for those starting to read and eager to learn about the language or just have fun reading to the older folks who have some time to sit down to a page turner with an interesting subject.

Wordsworth: the Magazine for the P.C. User; Ted Clarke, Cornwall, England, editor and publisher (mail@cmcal.softnet.co.uk), Jan. 1999 issue:

This first book by O.V. Michaelsen is certain to be a must for logololepts such as yours truly and will enrapture anyone who is captivated by a love of words (logophilia).

It is a veritable mine of historical information on the subject of wordplay. The author has dug deep into the archives to unearth details of anecdotes, word puzzles, quotations, etc., way back into the 14th century and beyond. It contains a fantastic collection of lists; there are 42 pages devoted to each of the subjects "Anagrams" and "Palindromes" and, more to my liking, 46 pages dealing with "Word Squares" and other "Form Puzzles." I was particularly pleased to see the authorships of some of the wordsquares, with their dates going back more than a century. I had sought the meaning of the word METI for years. It appears in this book, in the 1860 palindromic wordsquare based on anagrams of TIME. There it is, on page 168--METI.

It also gave a new word, so far as I was aware, to rhyme with "orange." It is "Blorenge"--the name of a 1,833ft. hill near Abergavenny (Wales).

Its 22 chapters contain a wealth of rib-tickling funny names, oxymora, and quotations in a well-presented, easy-to-read layout.

Words at Play represents really good value for money.

Word Ways: the Journal of Recreational Linguistics; review by Ross Eckler (author of Making the Alphabet Dance), editor and publisher, Aug. 1998 issue:

The title of this marvelous book by O.V. Michaelsen echoes C. C. Bombaugh's 19th-century classic, Oddities and Curiosities of Words and Literature. Like the earlier work, it consists of brief examples of a large number of logological curiosa, with great emphasis on the classics: palindromes, anagrams and forms (mini-crosswords of various shapes).

Michaelsen spent several years mining the puzzle literature, from the century-old British periodical Notes & Queries to a myriad of columns from 19th-century newspapers and privately-printed puzzle journals. He updated this historic material with such hot-off-the-press results as Chris Long's computer-generated word squares and a 1997 NPR competition for word-unit palindromes.

Appendices give the pseudonyms of hundreds of members of the National Puzzlers' League, plus the names and publication dates of scores of periodicals and columns.

This 240-page paperback should be on every logologist's shelf!

At the Crossroads.com; review by puzzle constructor Mary B. (Mary Brindamour, a.k.a. Luv), Aug. 1998 issue:

What a delightful experience to go through this book! Everything is so clearly presented and informative and yet concise and easy to read. My favorite areas are mainly Reversals and Palindromes, as well as Forms. It sure was surprising to find such a long list of reversals and their pals used in so many ways. The forms, I found incredible, also; especially since they were done as far back as the last century. To be sure, once the book is opened, it holds one's interest and is almost impossible to put down. It is too enjoyable to stash away on a bookshelf, so I intend to keep it handy and in plain sight, knowing that whenever I pick it up, there will be something new to interest me.

Words at play arrived at 6 p.m. Dinner burned at 7, dessert melted at 8, and we--my wife and I--were still grinning and laughing at 9. This is like taking your brain to Disneyland and letting it loose to play.

The Anagram and Palindrome chapters-yes, chapters-are worth the price of admission. But there are also pages of real and imagined definitions, historical and hysterical quotes, and some of the funniest mistranslations, blunders, and misunderstandings one can imagine.

And I haven't even reached the puzzles at the end of the book. Tons of puzzles, patterns, and ingenious devices.

You will at last know positively that Sam Goldwyn never delivered his most famous line, "Include me out." The citations are clear, and when a source is in doubt, the doubt is explained.

This is the perfect bedside book. No, it isn't. You'd never get to sleep with this in your hands. This is the perfect breakfast table book-a way to jolt your brain into a laugh each day.

This book is not, however, for the cherophobic. In fact, if that word scares you, it is not for you, either, you phobologophobic, you.

I learned bridge the way most people probably do-- some friends taught me how in college. After I'd been playing a year or two I bought this book which made the reasoning behind some of the rules I'd been following blindly and altered radically my own approach to teaching the game to others. It's also generally fun to read and one section flows nicely into the next. My one complaint: The edition I have is printed on very cheap paper and I'm not sure how long it will last. Hope it comes back into print soon!

I'm just a beginner learning Bridge by all different means - computer programs, books, and so on, but not with real people and not on-line yet. This book is teaching me more than any other book I've seen or read, and I'm really beginning to understand the game PLUS the reasons behind the bidding and play, thanks to this book. I really can't say enough good things about this book. If you're learning Bridge, I highly recommend it, and while you're learning, please drop me a line, too. (PLEASE NOTE CORRECTION IN MY E-MAIL ADDRESS) P.S.: I've been teaching my 13-, 12-, and 9-year-olds out of this book, too, and it's easy enough for them to understand

"The Dictionary of Concise Writing" is a thorough examination of how to write tight, well-crafted prose. The book begins with a section on "Perfectibility of Words" which defines wordiness and provides various examples of the different types. The following section is "The Imperfectability of People" which discusses the prevalence and acceptance of wordiness in society.

The extensive dictionary actually begins on page 49. Each listed phrase or word combination is followed by suggested substitutions, an example using the "wordy" phrase, and the same example using the correct substitution. If you are wondering if your writing could be more concise or looking for a suggestion for a phrase that just doesn't feel right, or just want to learn better writing skills then this is the book for you. It is the largest and most useful compendium of excessively wordy phrases and practical, workable substitutions that I have had the pleasure of using. A highly recommended purchase for anyone doing any serious writing.

...Any writer worth his or her salt has heard of author Robert Fiske's books, created and designed to help the aspiring, novice and experienced writer alike to hone their craft. In his Dictionary of Concise Writing, Fiske shows not only how to avoid common pitfalls but also how to strive for originality. He is also an expert on one particular handicap of many writers'... the tendency to use redundant or extraneous, excessively wordy phrases in their narrative prose.
This compilation of experience and wisdom is divided into two major parts; the first covers identifying and correcting excessive wordiness, which in itself may take many authors several months to thoroughly peruse. The second part is a collection of the worst of these writers' sins and his remedy to rectify them. Of course, you don't have to take his advice, but it's strongly advised that you do. After all, he's the expert.
And lest this reader/reviewer succumb to the temptation to wax over long praising this neat, fun and easy to read example of terse prose, let me suffice it to say that no writer with any grit should be without this reference.

This book is so hysterically and funny in parts, it hurts. You will just recover your breath when you start laughing again. And, it's not the latest stand-up collection from a comic. It's the latest collection of flubs and foibles of one of the world's most complicated and misunderstood languages: English. Richard Lederer, the unofficial king of language, has produced another gem. This should be right alongside Anguished English and The Bride of Anguished English on your bookshelf.

If you've read (and enjoyed!) Anguished English or More Anguished English, this book is the natural sequel and should bring many a belly laugh or tear of joy (depending on your predilections). It gave me both.

You don't need to have a sophisticated vocabulary to play these games. It's wonderful with children. We play in the car, at the dinner table, as a homework break. This book goes on vacation with us. I highly recommend it!

This book is full of great ways to have fun with the English language. I have used it during my teaching practicum to teach my students (grade 8 & 12) basic poetic terms. The games are great fun and a wonderful way to start class everyday! The kids keep asking for more & I don't think there's anything better than that. Lederer spans the language from sound devices, to metaphors, to names, to language logic. It's one book I wouldn't want to teach without!

Rarely have I read a book about language that is so engaging. From beginning to end, the book made we laugh and reflect on the wonder we call the English language

Is this the best of the Anguished volumes? The author Richard Lederer says that he believes "that my Bride is the best written of my four Anguished English books." I totally agree. "Bride" is a fantastic faux-pastiche of verbal blunders, a written equivalent to a whole season of TV's Best Bloopers plus America's Dumbest Home Videos.

Aside from its amusement value, "Bride" is also handy for English teachers and anyone wishing to improve their writing skills. Selected gems from the book can illustrate WHY you need to be careful about dangling participles, careless spelling and mixed metaphors. It's one thing to hold forth on the value of good English grammar, it's another to gaze with horrified astonishment at actual printed headlines such as:

"WOMAN BORN FEBRUARY 29 HAS BABY SAME DAY"
and
"AIRLINE EXPECTS TO BE BACK ON TRACK BY WEEKEND"

These illustrations are far more impressive than memorizing lists of rules or reading "Elements of Style." If you want to brush up your writing skills, it couldn't hurt to have a laugh and also pick up some examples of really bad mistakes you are sure to remember.

There is plenty more good stuff here--including the chapter on stupid headlines, a chapter of the particularly dumb stuff doctors and lawyers write (always rewarding if you like to needle professionals at parties, lots and lots of lawyer jokes here) and the divine comedy from church and Sunday School that informs you that "Amen" really means..."Tha-tha-tha-that's all, folks!"

I sure hope that's not all...we could all use some more Anguish like this. If you liked Richard's previous Anguished volumes, this one will not disappoint you.

This serious book about our language,English, the lingua franca of the world, afforded me more laughs than many a so-called comic book. Lederer is truly a master of English, a magister and advocate. I have several other books by him, and have enjoyed each one tremendously. I always have great trouble setting The Miracle of Language down once I open it. I'm always tempted to go through it once more in one sitting. As a writer, editor, and teacher, I refer to it constantly. Now, if only I knew how to get in touch with Lederer ---

Richard Lederer makes the English language so much fun. This is my favorite book of his-- who knew that Shakespeare had made up so many of the words we use every day? I thought it was so great, I sent a copy to my English teacher from high school, who also loved it.

And I happen to know this book is the "favorite child" of this much-published author. I read it with just as much, if not more pleasure than Anguished English and Get Thee to a Punnery, some of Richard's more famous works. Don't expect the usual mad romp through the English language; this book is more literary than light literature.

If you want to improve your writing, you will profit by reading the chapter on the beauty of using short words. The examples of student writings that employ only single syllable words are dazzling.

If you teach English, you might enjoy using some of the student writing examples in your classes to inspire your own students. In fact if you are an English teacher or just a lover of the English language, I don't see how you can be without this book. It is a treasure.