My Life and Hard Times

Rating:
Summary: This book is really quite amazing
Review: Unlike most autobiographies, My Life and Hard Times is short and extremely sweet. Despite its length, however, you can pick it up again and again and always be delighted by it. As Thurber says, he talks "largely about small matters and smally about great affairs." And the great affairs he talks about are quite meaningful, adding yet another dimension to the book. After reading it, I had the feeling James Thurber was somewhat depressed because of the limits of life. He only hints at this at the beginning and end of the book in his "Preface to a Life" and "A Note at the End," but it is there, and it is powerful. As for the nine anecdotes that make up the bulk of the book, there is simply no equal: they are very funny, displaying the occasional and humorous insanity of people. This is a book to be read again and again, and to be treasured.

Rating:
Summary: The master of understatement at his very best
Review: What can you say about Thurber? That he was funny? Brilliant? His mastery defies description but I'll try anyway. Nah, forget it. Just buy the book and laugh yourself silly while you marvel at the seamless delivery of one of the century's greatest.