Embrace the Pun is a collection of single panel cartoons from independent cartoonist Barry Corbett. Oscar Levant once pointed out: A pun is the lowest form of humor - if you didn't think of it first. According to Edgar Allen Poe: The goodness of the true pun is in direct ratio to its intolerability. Readers will find this inventive selection of Barry's best cartoons delightfully intolerable.
The second Embrace the Pun collection. Pun-based panel cartoons by Barry Corbett, a professional Magazine Cartoonist.Many of these cartoons have appeared in Barrons, American Legion Magazine, Lacrosse Magazine, Christianity Today, True West, Kid Zones, Medical Economics, The Artist's Magazine, and Fifty Something Magazine. Revenge of the Pun has already won a couple of awards for independent publishing. ForeWord Reviews gave it a Silver Medal for Best in Humor at the 2011 Book of the Year Awards, and Independent Publisher Magazine awarded it a Bronze Medal for Graphic Novel/Illustrated Book category at the 2010 IPPY Awards.
At once entertaining and educational, this engaging book is a funny, erudite, and provocative exploration of puns, the people who make them, and this derided wordplay's remarkable impact on human history.
"[Away with Words] is low wit in its highest form. . . Mr. Berkowitz is sensitive throughout to the evanescence and contingency of punning and to the fleeting chemistry of a live pun-on-pun matchup crackling with energy." –Wall Street Journal Fast Company reporter Joe Berkowitz investigates the bizarre and hilarious world of pun competitions from the Punderdome 3000 in Brooklyn to the World competition in Austin. When Joe Berkowitz witnessed his first Punderdome competition, it felt wrong in the best way. Something impossible seemed to be happening. The kinds of jokes we learn to repress through social conditioning were not only being aired out in public—they were being applauded. As it turned out, this monthly show was part of a subculture that’s been around in one form or another since at least the late ‘70s. Its pinnacle is the O. Henry Pun Off World Championship, an annual tournament in Austin, Texas. As someone who is terminally self-conscious, Joe was both awed and jealous of these people who confidently killed with the most maligned form of humor. In this immersive ride into the subversive world of pun competitions, we meet punsters weird and wonderful and Berkowitz is our tour guide. Puns may show up in life in subtle ways sometimes, but once you start thinking in puns you discover they’re everywhere. Berkowitz’s search to discover who makes them the most, and why, leads him to the professional comedian competitors on @Midnight, a TV show with a pun competition built into it, the writing staff of Bob’s Burgers, the punniest show on TV, and even a humor research conference. With his new unlikely band of punster brothers, he finally heads to Austin to compete in the World Championship. Of course, in befriending these comic misfits he also ended up learning that when you embrace puns you become a more authentic version of yourself.
Jim Morris has been responsible for some of the most memorable ad campaigns in history. He knows best that bad ads don’t just create themselves. Part indictment on the advertising industry, part cautionary tale on what not to do with your ads, Jim pulls no punches to better ad people everywhere. “How many ads have you seen that made you question the intelligence of whomever designed it? Probably too many. If every ad person read Badvertising, the world would be a more intelligent and prosperous place.” —Jonah Berger, New York Times bestselling author of Contagious and The Catalyst “Incisive and daring, Badvertising is the only book you need to truly understand both the inner workings of America’s ad agencies, and the minds of those who never cease to astound us with both their creative genius and profound stupidity. After just one reading, you’ll never see advertising the same way again.” —Drew Eric Whitman, bestselling author of Cashvertising How can the ad industry even exist when almost all of the products that it produces fall on a continuum from flawed to failed? What is it about this industry and the process of creating, selling, and producing ads that causes so much advertising to be so bad? These are the questions answered in Badvertising. A provocative, truth-to-power exposé of ad agencies’ flaws, foibles, and failings—and why they matter to the consumer and to those in the business. Morris, an advertising legend known as “Tagline Jim,” surveys myriad advertising “agents of stupidity.” Hilarious, horrifying, and insightful, each chapter is a grenade lobbed into America’s ad bunkers. Badvertising is a candid, never-seen-before accumulation of real-world don’ts and more don’ts, providing valuable cautionary tales of advertising’s stupid side.
Throughout the first half of the nineteenth century, America was captivated by a muddled notion of "etymology." New England Transcendentalism was only one outcropping of a nationwide movement in which schoolmasters across small-town America taught students the roots of words in ways that dramatized religious issues and sparked wordplay. Shaped by this ferment, our major romantic authors shared the sensibility that Friedrich Schlegel linked to punning and christened "romantic irony." Notable punsters or etymologists all, they gleefully set up as sages, creating jocular masterpieces from their zest for oracular wordplay. Their search for a primal language lurking beneath all natural languages provided them with something like a secret language that encodes their meanings. To fathom their essentially comic masterpieces we must decipher it. Interpreting Thoreau as an ironic moralist, satirist, and social critic rather than a nature-loving mystic, Transcendental Wordplay suggests that the major American Romantics shared a surprising conservatism. In this award-winning study, Professor West rescues the pun from critical contempt and allows readers to enjoy it as a serious form of American humor.
""Embrace Your Quirks"" invites readers on a transformative journey of self-discovery and personal growth. This empowering guide challenges conventional wisdom, urging individuals to celebrate their unique traits rather than conform to societal expectations. Through a blend of psychological insights and practical exercises, the book offers a fresh perspective on turning perceived flaws into powerful assets. At its core, the book introduces the innovative ""Quirk to Strength"" framework, providing readers with a structured approach to reframe their self-perception. Real-life case studies breathe life into the concepts, illustrating how embracing individuality can lead to both personal fulfillment and professional success. As readers progress through each carefully crafted chapter, they'll develop a toolkit for authenticity, resilience, and self-acceptance. The approachable yet authoritative tone makes complex ideas accessible without sacrificing depth, ensuring that readers from all walks of life can benefit from its wisdom. By the end, readers will be equipped with the confidence to thrive in relationships and careers, all while staying true to their unique selves.
Dive into the uproarious world of office life with K.D. Gudwerck's "WERK" – a sharp, satirical survival guide for young professionals. In this laugh-out-loud journey, Gudwerck demystifies the chaos of the corporate jungle, offering witty insights and comical strategies to navigate its absurdities. From conquering Monday Madness to decoding the caffeine-fueled rituals of Coffee, Caffeine, and Colleagues, Gudwerck transforms mundane office activities into hilarious escapades. Email Escapades takes center stage, turning the inbox battle into a comedic quest from Inbox Zero to Infinity, while Office Jargon 101 hilariously deciphers the cryptic buzzwords of corporate speak. Bosses, Bloopers, and Blunders expose the quirky dynamics of workplace hierarchy, while Fashion Roulette navigates the perplexing world of office dress codes with a comedic twist. Procrastination Station provides playful tips for avoiding derailment, and Surviving Office Parties and Team-Building Torchers turns social events into laugh-out-loud adventures. Desk Yoga and Stress Ball Strategies become essential survival tools, offering quirky approaches to maintain sanity. The Great Escape explores daydreaming techniques during boring meetings, turning dull gatherings into moments of creativity and mental exploration. Gudwerck wraps up the journey by highlighting Humor as a Career Skill, revealing how laughter can be a secret weapon in the professional arena. With wit and practical advice, "WERK" is the ultimate guide for young professionals to not just survive but thrive in the wild and wonderful world of the office jungle. Get ready for a hilarious ride through the absurdities of corporate life, where a well-timed chuckle might just be the key to success!
'...Rubinstein is far from innocent and comes to our aid with a lot of learning...and is quite right to urge that not to appreciate the sexiness of Shakespeare's language impoverishes our own understanding of him. For one thing, it was a strong element in his appeal to Elizabethans, who were much less woolly-mouthed and smooth-tongued than we are. For another, it has constituted a salty preservative for his work, among those who can appreciate it...an enlightening book.' A.L.Rowse, The Standard.
"Embark on a whimsical journey towards a more joyful existence with 'How to Enjoy Life by Being Silly: A Guide to Embracing Playfulness and Imperfection' by Ranjot Singh Chahal. In a world often weighed down by seriousness, Chahal invites readers to rediscover the lost art of silliness. Through a series of delightful chapters, he shares insights and practical advice on infusing every moment with laughter and light-heartedness. From learning to laugh at oneself to embracing the beauty of imperfection, each chapter is a treasure trove of playful wisdom. Dive into the magic of silly conversations, unleash your inner goofball, and celebrate the absurdities of life with Chahal as your guide. With 'How to Enjoy Life by Being Silly,' you'll learn to cultivate a childlike wonder that brings joy to even the most mundane of tasks. So, if you're ready to trade stress for smiles and seriousness for silliness, this book is your roadmap to a more vibrant, playful, and fulfilling life."
