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Let There Be Laughter: A Treasury of Great Jewish Humor and What It All Means Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 563 ratings

Let There Be Laughter is a compendium of Jewish jokes that packs the punches with hilarious riff after riff and also offers a window into Jewish culture.

Award–winning broadcast journalist Michael Krasny has been telling Jewish jokes since his bar mitzvah, and it’s been said that he knows more of them than anyone on the planet. He certainly states his case in this wise, enlightening, and hilarious book that not only collects the best of Jewish humor passed down from generation to generation, but explains the cultural expressions and anxieties behind the laughs.

“What’s Jewish Alzheimer’s?”

“You forget everything but the grudges.”

“You must be so proud. Your daughter is the President of the United States!”

“Yes. But her brother is a doctor!”

“Isn’t Jewish humor masochistic?”

“No. And if I hear that one more time I am going to kill myself.”

With his background as a scholar and public-radio host, Krasny delves deeply into the themes, topics, and form of Jewish humor: chauvinism undercut by irony and self-mockery, the fear of losing cultural identity through assimilation, the importance of vocal inflection in joke-telling, and calls to communal memory, including the use of Yiddish.

Borrowing from traditional humor and such Jewish comedy legends as Jackie Mason, Mel Brooks, Joan Rivers, Larry David, Sarah Silverman, Jerry Seinfeld and Amy Schumer,
Let There Be Laughter is an absolute pleasure for the chosen and goyim alike.

“Krasny has chosen well, and digs into the jokes, explaining the sometimes not-so-funny histories and emotions that ultimately trigger the laughter. Besides the featured jokes, he provides plentiful additional bits that evoke smiles and nods of recognition.” —San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

Editorial Reviews

Review

With a keen wit and a sage's wisdom, Krasny excavates a rich cultural legacy and shows us the elusive funny bone is located just between the heart and the mind.

-- "Adam Johnson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Orphan Master's Son"

From the Back Cover

“Isn’t Jewish humor masochistic?”

“No. And if I hear that one more time I am going to kill myself.”

Michael Krasny has been telling Jewish jokes since he could say “oy vey!,” and it’s been said that he knows more of them than anyone else on the planet. He certainly states his case in this wise, enlightening, and hilarious book that not only collects the best Jewish humor passed down from generation to generation but explains the cultural expressions and anxieties behind the laughs.

With his background as a scholar and public radio host, Krasny delves deeply into the themes, topics, and forms of Jewish humor: chauvinism undercut by irony and self-mockery; the fear of losing cultural identity through assimilation; the importance of vocal inflection in joke-telling; and calls to communal memory, including the use of Yiddish.

Borrowing from traditional humor and such Jewish comedy legends as Jackie Mason, Mel Brooks, and Joan Rivers, Let There Be Laughter is an absolute pleasure for the chosen and goyim alike.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B019C3WSIM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow (September 27, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 27, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 309 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 563 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
563 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's humor entertaining and insightful. They describe it as a fun, joyful read that brings them back to childhood memories. However, opinions differ on the writing style - some find it well-written and warm, while others feel the anecdotes are not sharp or particularly well-written.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

77 customers mention "Humor"69 positive8 negative

Customers appreciate the humor in the book. They find the jokes funny and insightful into Jewish humor. The book provides a good introduction to the history of humor and its various branches. Readers also mention that the book leaves them laughing even after finishing it.

"...This new book 'Let There Be Laughter: A Treasury of Great Jewish Humor and What It All Means' is a collection of Jewish jokes accumulated by..." Read more

"...The book is also packed with jokes...." Read more

"...Krasny discusses the themes and cultural propensities behind the jokes -- the age-old worries, habits, and idiosyncrasies that characterize Jews,..." Read more

"...Mr. Krasny does a great job telling the jokes, but an even more fantastic job explaining the context, the basis, the morphology, and why the joke is..." Read more

38 customers mention "Insight"38 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insight and cultural understanding. They find it informative, funny, and well-researched on a topic of mixed interest. The jokes are entertaining but the learning opportunity is great.

"...His wonderful collection of lectures on 'Masterpieces of Short Fiction' have been recorded by 'Great Courses' company and can be purchased..." Read more

"...on the various topics covered in Jewish humor and the roots of the most common themes. The book is also packed with jokes...." Read more

"...To answer the original question, this book is, without a doubt, good for the Jews -- and for everyone else, too. Start laughing...." Read more

"...This is a very fun bok to read as well as insightful as to the origins of the Jewish sense of humor." Read more

35 customers mention "Enjoyment"35 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find the stories entertaining and interesting. The author's storytelling is relaxing and enjoyable, leaving readers with expectations.

"...he's poured his treasure into a book that is not only amusing but interesting...." Read more

"...A fantastic read; definitely worth picking up a copy. And a great gift for the Jewish person in your life!" Read more

"...and media culture and I could not recommend a more uplifting and joyous book for our times." Read more

"Pretty good collection of jokes and commentary. I enjoyed reading the book...." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's nostalgic and poignant humor. They find it a fun read that brings them back to childhood. The book provides insights into Jewish history and culture.

"...This is a very fun bok to read as well as insightful as to the origins of the Jewish sense of humor." Read more

"This is really a history book. Yes, it is about humor, but this book put the humor in the context of it' time and place...." Read more

"...; he has collated a compedium of Jewish Humor that is unrivaled in our time...." Read more

"...He provides background in addition to the classic bits and pieces of humor lending insight otherwise unavailable unless ~ you are Jewish or grew up..." Read more

16 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive6 negative

Customers have different views on the writing style. Some find it well-written and easy to read, while others feel the anecdotes lack sharpness and are repetitive. The conclusion doesn't tie the discussion together for some readers, and the book focuses too much on theory rather than humor at the surface level.

"...The book is written in the same style and voice familiar to all of Krasny's fans and reading the book transported me back into his classroom...." Read more

"...The only major shortcoming is that the concluding chapter doesn't really tie the discussion together with a particularly insightful conclusion...." Read more

"...Joke after joke after joke are written in a very readable and conversational style...." Read more

"Lost count the number of times I laughed out loud reading this well written and paced work...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2016
    'Let There be Laughter' written by Michael Krasny, who is a Professor of English Literature and host of the noted NPR show 'The Forum'. He previously authored 'The Spiritual Envy-An Agnostic's Quest', in which he tried to answer the principal question about whether we can live this life according to our own code without the need and aid of faith or spiritual belief in a deity? I read that book several times and it used it as a guid on my own path to secularism. So I was extremely excited when Professor's Krasny's new book was announced and I pre ordered it as soon as it became available to purchase.

    I have had the pleasure to have taken a few courses with Professor Krasny. His class lectures are equivalent to an enchanting theatrical performance. His wonderful collection of lectures on 'Masterpieces of Short Fiction' have been recorded by 'Great Courses' company and can be purchased online.

    Myself being previously used to stoic Engineering Professors, thought these attributes of mixing humor, storytelling, and teaching must be shared amongst all the Professors of the Humanities; but after having taken several more courses in the literary arts, I have come to the final conclusion that, in deed, Professor Krasny is rather unique. And very much celebrated too; his classes fill out auditoriums, his radio show is listened by a multitude of people everyday; and even the Mayor of San Francisco declared Michael Krasny Day on the 20th anniversary of his radio show.

    This new book 'Let There Be Laughter: A Treasury of Great Jewish Humor and What It All Means' is a collection of Jewish jokes accumulated by Professor Krasny throughout his life. The book is written in the same style and voice familiar to all of Krasny's fans and reading the book transported me back into his classroom. I could visualize him in front of me, telling these stories utilizing all of his tonal variations. There are two seminal questions the book tries to answer; First is the question of humor i.e what is in fact humor and the second why are Jews considered funny? Professor Krasny deems humor to be an another form of storytelling, that reveals some truth, albeit in a comical way. The book is divided into eight distinct categories of jokes where Professor Krasny lists the jokes and then gives personal anecdotes and explains the context. I personally enjoyed the last four categories the most: 'Yiddish Generation, Celebration, Suffering, and Separate & Distinct'. Professor Krasny reveals that characteristics such as assimilating in a new place, fear of loss of identity, holding on to tradition, pressure to succeed, etc, are some of the main crux of the Jewish jokes. But I believe that these characteristics are shared by all migrant communities. Humor could also be a vehicle to pass on tradition to the future generation, in danger of losing their heritage in the new world. Being a Pakistani living in the US, I could very easily relate with Jewish Humor exhibited by Professor Krasny. Replace the Rabbi with an Imam, the Jewish Mother with an Indian Auntie, and the joke switches from being Jewish to Indian/Muslim/Pakistani etc. Recently an Anthology of short stories was published in the US by women from the Indian subcontinent origin titled "Good Girls Marry Doctors", also a theme of jokes listed in Professor Krasny's book. So then, humor is not only a form of story telling, but is also a way to bring people together. The characters in these jokes may be of different race, ethnicities, religions; but there is something very crucial that they all share-and that is their humanity. And this is what in the end this book "Let there be Laughter" reminds us all of.
    19 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2023
    An interesting look at what makes Jewish humor both “Jewish” and “humor.” The author provides background on the various topics covered in Jewish humor and the roots of the most common themes. The book is also packed with jokes. As someone who grew up surrounded with ethnic jokes (large Polish family and community), I appreciate the author’s efforts to explain where that kind of humor comes from and why it exists.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2016
    Good for the Jews or bad for the Jews?

    This is a question that Jews have asked each other throughout the ages whenever they've smelled change in the air -- usually some sort of political change. "Let There Be Laughter" isn't so much about change as it is about continuity -- what has typically distinguished Jews from others and how they have typically made fun of their own differences. MIchael Krasny has been filling his pockets with Jewish jokes all his life and now, finally, he's poured his treasure into a book that is not only amusing but interesting. Krasny discusses the themes and cultural propensities behind the jokes -- the age-old worries, habits, and idiosyncrasies that characterize Jews, whether they are religious or not. This is no easy task for an author -- with so many stories, so many esoteric references, a varied readership -- how does one go about delivering the humor, explaining the culture behind the humor, yet not dampening the humor with explanation? Somehow, Krasny does it, and he does it with ease and grace.

    To answer the original question, this book is, without a doubt, good for the Jews -- and for everyone else, too. Start laughing. Details to follow.

    Janis Bell
    author, "Clean, Well-lighted Sentences" (a grammar book, which is also good for the Jews but not very funny)
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2020
    I've been following Michael Krasny for years on the radio. This is a very fun bok to read as well as insightful as to the origins of the Jewish sense of humor.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2017
    Like all kinds of humor, Jewish jokes are sometimes an acquired taste; they often rely on a common set of experiences that some people have and others do not. Mr. Krasny does a great job telling the jokes, but an even more fantastic job explaining the context, the basis, the morphology, and why the joke is funny. Even if you've never come across a stereotypical Jewish "bubba" or a attended a bar mitzvah, this book will provide you everything you need to know about the inside jokes and funnies in a clear, succinct, non-derogatory way that brings the light and mirth of Jewish humor to the masses; Jews and Gentiles alike. A fantastic read; definitely worth picking up a copy. And a great gift for the Jewish person in your life!
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2017
    This is really a history book. Yes, it is about humor, but this book put the humor in the context of it' time and place. It's has a lot of cultural insight. I like history and I like this. Parts of it are very funny. Others are sad. Enjoyed the knowledge.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2016
    This is a wonderful book. It’s about Jewish humor and so much more. What resonated the most for me was the way it conjured life with the Jewish half of my family of origin. As I read the book, I could hear my mother and my older sister speaking Yiddish to my grandmother…Yiddish sprinkled with jokes and expressions in English and English sprinkled with jokes and expressions in Yiddish. It’s a life I miss and while the culture is not yet extinct, it’s certainly vanishing. I believe Let There Be Laughter is going to help extend its life. Though my adult children, to some extent, identify with their Jewish heritage (my daughter claims she’s Jewishish) I don’t think they relate much to descriptions of my childhood. I’m hoping this book will provide them with a window on the richness of that life and I intend to give copies to both of them for Christmas. (Yes, Christmas. My mother was a secular Jew and knew less about the religion that most of her gentile friends.)

Top reviews from other countries

  • ayyyyyyy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Educational and hilarious.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2022
    I bought this as a birthday present for my pastor relative, along with a regular standard Jewish history book, because he likes learning stuff and I think humour is an excellent and underappreciated marker of a cultural identity. I assumed this would be both informative and entertaining, and was apparently correct. His wife told us he's been up late for three nights, laughing constantly to himself. Apparently it's given him great considerations for his sermons and he's found it super interesting. I was a bit leery at the price, but he loves it, so I'm now content with my purchase.
  • Yunona
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice book.
    Reviewed in Canada on October 1, 2019
    Nice book. Not just a jocks but the historical background of them too. Delivered in time.
  • k gotheridge
    5.0 out of 5 stars A laugh on every page.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2023
    An absolute belter of a book.

    Un putdownable.

    Lives next to 'Born to kvetch'
  • Monica Weissmann
    4.0 out of 5 stars More of it would be too much, less of it would be too little !
    Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2019
    More of it would be too much, less of it would be too little , this book is just the right amount of stories intertwined with relevant jokes, a delightful history of Jewish humour imbeded in the American culture. I really enjoyed fly reading it and heartily laughing at jokes, while feeling connected and reconnected to my people, whom i did not know for many years in my youth, hapenning far away behind the Iron Curtain.
    You will not regret spending your time to read the book, and you will have a better understanding of the Jews and the Jewish culture, which holds humour and laughter in gtreat respect.
  • Alexander
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed reading every single page. Bravo!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 29, 2017
    Well written, presented and organized. Many good old and new jokes and excellent stories that help the reader understand the genius of Jewish humor.

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