'To write a book is hard to write a funny book is harder to write a funny book both wise and
funny is the prerogative of Mr. Mikes' The Times_________________________If you want to succeed
here you must be able to handle the English sense of humour.So proclaims George Mikes' timeless
exploration of this curious phenomenon. Whether it's understatement self-deprecation or plain
cruelty the three elements he identifies as essential to our sense of humour being witty here
is a way of life.Perfectly placed as an adopted Englishman himself Mikes delivers his shrewd
advice - helpfully divided into 'Theory' and 'Practice' - with a comic precision that does his
chosen country proud. Drawing on a trove of examples from our rich comic canon from Orwell
(Every joke is a tiny revolution) to Oscar Wilde this is the essential handbook for natives
and foreigners alike.Mrs Kennedy: I don't think Mr Churchill that I have told you anything
about my grandchildren.Winston Churchill: For which madam I am infinitely grateful.
