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

'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.

Don't start reading this at night because you will be up all night reading this engaging book. The author knows lots of Jewish jokes and he shares them and then adds the cultural background and meaning of the jokes and stories. Krasny shows how some of these jokes are used to hold on to traditions, to show the pressure to succeed, to face their fear of loss of identity (in an increasingly secular world), to show that Jews can assimilate to a new place.The author's insight is wonderful and he shares it in such an interesting way. The only thing I would have liked to have had was a glossary of the Yiddish words explained in the back of the book for reference. Otherwise, this was a book that I read from cover-to-cover in one sitting -- it was too good to set aside for dishes, or sweeping, or cooking meals.Other Books by This AuthorOff Mike: A Memoir of Talk Radio and Literary Life (2009)Sound Ideas (with M E Sokolik) (2009)Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic's Quest (2010)** Let There Be Laughter A Treasury of Great Jewish Humor and What It Means

This is just plain funny. Yes, it is also informative too, but really why can't we just laugh and laugh and laugh. The real problem in reading this book is if you live with someone. You spend most of the book stopping and relaying the funny joke or story to your significant other. You can't help sharing this stuff and after they laugh they find you annoying over and over. Was almost sorry to finish this book but I know I'll be reading it again. Isn't it time for all of us to just laugh and enjoy life. What fun this book is. If you have any sense of humor at all, you must get this book and have a good time. Couldn't recommend it more.

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!

The reason Michael Krasny's radio program Forum on KQED has become a local institution in the San Francisco Bay Area is that he brings a level of knowledge, intelligence and most importantly, humor to his broadcasts each morning that few other radio hosts are able to achieve. Luckily all those qualities are on full display in his wonderful new book "Let There Be Laughter". Laughter is a powerful defense against prejudice and persecution, so naturally Jewish Humor has been honed over centuries. Apparently, Michael knows every Jewish joke ever told and he brilliantly shares them and their meaning with us in this thoroughly entertaining book.

This book took me back to my childhood, when I was somehow able to understand all the Yiddish stories my father and his brother (other relatives, too) told one another. Did they laugh! Did I laugh! The stories in the book are very funny, but the sensibility behind the entire tome really got to me. I could not wipe smile off my face as I read., and I plan to open the book many more times in the future.

The jokes are told badly - the punchline is just a comment at the end of a sentence, then he explains the joke, and follows it with a lengthy cultural explanation.I would recommend it to someone who I want to waste their time. You’re told that after suffering all these lengthy discussions and mediocre jokes that maybe you will get the answer to why Jews are funny - but you don’t. The author doesn’t even answer his own question.I don’t want to read another book on comedy for a long time. I’m very frustrated by this.

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.

Nice book. Not just a jocks but the historical background of them too. Delivered in time.

Well written, presented and organized. Many good old and new jokes and excellent stories that help the reader understand the genius of Jewish humor.