2500 Jokes to Start 'Em Laughing

Book excerpt: There is no better, faster, or more effective way to reach out and grab an audience’s attention than the adroit use of humor. An apt, well-timed joke can soothe the hostile, focus the uninterested, and the spur on the enthusiastic. In this latest collection from Robert Orben, master of the one-liner and fountain of humor for the great TV and stand-up comics, are gathered over 2500 short, relevant, and sharp laugh-getters that can easily be added to speeches, lectures, presentations, or casual conversation. Arranged into several hundred categories for ease in selection, the subject matter is topical—ranging from acupuncture and air pollution to women’s liberation and X-rated movies. Most of the jokes are one-liners that move with a snap and a sizzle that anecdotes and lengthy stories lack. Here you will find openings and closings for speeches, plus random and specific comment invaluable to anyone who has ever been called upon to “say a few words.” A marvelous tool for speakers, writers, and performers, Mr. Orben’s newest book will also provide hours of laugh-filled reading for everyone.