Robert Benchley by Nathaniel Benchley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Son Nathaniel’s book of his father is a well written account of his father’s life. As he mentions at the start, this is more anecdotal than a chronological history. As can be the case in a situation like this, it does seems Nathaniel was weaving around spot’s in Robert’s life he’d rather not have published. One moment the book is tripping along the chronological trail. Suddenly there are leaps here and there in time. then back to chronological order.

If I had not other wise known and read so much of Benchley over the past 40 plus years, I wouldn’t have thought much of it. In this case, Nathaniel’s skipping is at spots where Robert’s life took some turns that would be tagged uncomfortable. Certainly understandable for a son to do. The last people you ask to learn about a person is the family.

I was hoping for more first hand knowledge of the goings on in Robert’s life. Unfortunately, it seems so much I’ve learned of Robert being away from his family is reflected in the lack of personal stories in the book.

This has me pulling ‘Laughter’s Gentle Soul’ by Billy Altman off the shelf for another viewpoint. Seems Altman had no contact with the Benchley family in assembling his book. Wonder what I will find there?

Despite all this I do feel Nathaniel’s book is an otherwise very good overview of Robert’s life. There are a ton of promised anecdotes. That’s what the book is basically based upon. Lots and lots of hilarious stories that are pure Benchley. Thus this book is not to be missed by fans of the era and the humor.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 of 10

View all my reviews

The Best American Wit and Humor by J.B. Mussey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a nearly perfect set of laugh out loud (or however the kiddies say it today) stories, columns and cartoons. Outstanding entries of Alec Woollcott, Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, F.P.A. … well, the bulk of the Round Table. The stand out of the lot is Corey Ford’s reflection of his John Riddell Murder Case novel.

Also included, and has the largest contribution,are columns of Will Rogers. He was at his peak when this was published and certainly a draw for sales. The lot are also the weakest of the collection and why I drop a point from the star ccategory.

Unfortunately, most in this book could not be published today in the U.S. due to narrowing senses of humor and minds. The Politically Correct Police, who claim to hate all censorship except all they want to censor, would shackle a volume of this and sure to burn in much fanfare.

Bottom line: I highly recommend this book. 9 of 10 points.

View all my reviews