This is the first and most complete collection of all 136 humorous sketches and tales that Samuel Clemens (1835–1910), a.k.a. Mark Twain, started writing as a young reporter for various newspapers and magazines and later saw fit to issue in book form. Many pieces appeared in rare, first printings, only to be dropped in subsequent editions; for this reason, readers will encounter a number of yarns and tall tales unavailable elsewhere, even in the collected works. More unvarnished than his short stories or novels, and more willing to indulge in fun for its own sake, these sketches comprise a substantial share of his literary apprenticeship and legacy. As brilliant, representative nuggets of Twain's humor in its purest form, they carry the imprint of Twain's wit, imagination, and humanism, his fresh and always idiomatic prose. From 1862's "Curing a Cold" to 1904's "Italian Without a Master," this collection allows readers to share Twain's vision of life as a strange and comic affair. No one interested in American humor (or in need of a good laugh) can long remain indifferent to this uproarious book.

Providing both theory and praxis, this insightful and creative textbook explains how to write humor, comedy, satire, parody, nonsense, and both the literary and the joke monologue. Through its close analyses of short stories, sketches, essays, and scripts, it is a must-read for serious and not-so-serious writers of every genre. Guiding aspiring writers through the many techniques for creating humor, it illustrates and analyzes what works and what doesn't, suggests ways to energize passages that fall flat, and offers insights into brainstorming, team writing, and revision. This book includes the history and cultural background of each major genre, followed by a rich array of writing exercises. Readers will find an inventive selection of examples to learn from, including a script from M*A*S*H and pieces by such humorists as Woody Allen, Ogden Nash, and Art Buchwald-and by students as well.

For deft plotting, riotous inventiveness, unforgettable characters, and language that brilliantly captures the lively rhythms of American speech, no American writer comes close to Mark Twain. This sparkling anthology covers the entire span of Twain’s inimitable yarn-spinning, from his early broad comedy to the biting satire of his later years. Every one of his sixty stories is here: ranging from the frontier humor of “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” to the bitter vision of humankind in “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg,” to the delightful hilarity of “Is He Living or Is He Dead?” Surging with Twain’s ebullient wit and penetrating insight into the follies of human nature, this volume is a vibrant summation of the career of–in the words of H. L. Mencken–“the father of our national literature.”

Mark Twain is the rambunctious father of all cynics. His wry observations and biting jibes made him the first modern humorist. His sardonic sketches on everything from politicians, preachers, journalists, barbers, nagging wives, devious children, and gullible low-lifes are as hilarious and true today as they were when Twain hammered them out to make a name for himself on the frontier newspapers in the 1870s. Though humor saturates all his best-loved work, it is in the freewheeling exuberance of these early sketches and yarns that his love of pranks, hoaxes, yarns, slapstick, and parodies is shown to best effect. Throughout these tales, the violence, cruelty, and plum stupidity of human nature is woven into comic gold as he makes us roar with laughter at our own idiotic self-deception and vain conceit.

High Acolades Indeed:"It's hip, it's brave, it's laugh-out-loud funny. Wish I'd thought of it first." Jimmy Fallon's postman"If ever there was a book that made me want to eat my Kindle, it's this one. Ever heard of edible humor? No? Well, this is that." Anthony Bourdain's green grocer"Yeah, baby." Diane Rheam's manicurist What happens when a caveman goes shopping for real estate? Or a hypnotist learns the value of advertising from within? Or a famous children's television character goes speed dating? These and other pertinent questions are answered in Michelle Sandoval's first collection of humorous short stories, satire, and comedy sketches. (Warning: Don't try the sketches at home. At least not without fire retardant sweaters.) If you're looking for a funny book that will entertain and make you laugh out loud, even if you're in the dentist's waiting area, or if you need to unplug from the serious side of life, then you need this book; if not for the pure entertainment value, then for the mental health it will provide, as medicine is the best laughter. Or whatever. We think you'll agree: This Book is Funny.What critics are saying:"Ha. Ha.""LOL.""Snort. Guffaw. Chortle."About Michelle Sandoval:Michelle grew up staring out the window during math class. So, no, she's not a brilliant mathematician. But the girl can write because that's all she managed to do or to think about when she was supposed to be doing other more responsible things. Like combing her hair. Or eating. It still happens in alarming regularity, but with the help of her husband, son, and mighty mini dachshund, she's fed and cleaned up pretty well.

Here is one time you can act up in church and get away with it! Your congregation will applaud the wit and whimsy in these sketches. Everything form the props to the settings to the characters will jump-start your church's worship routine with a fresh take on Christian concepts. Everything is geared to our contemporary times. Even the Bible stories have a modern twist to the retelling or characterisations. Due to their humour, the sketches manage to address some weighty issues in a non-threatening manner. Contains scripts on a variety of topics and some special use material, such as a promo for a marriage retreat and seasonal pieces. There are forty-five total scripts here that you won't want to miss.