Michael J. Rosen – författare

A salvo of hilarity from that loose canon of American humor that Mirth of a Nation editor Michael J. Rosen has culled from some 1200 pages of brilliantly original works by our best contemporary humorists. This action-packed compilation of highlights includes Bobbie Ann Mason''s stint at the La Bamba hotline, David Rakoff''s insights on families, Andy Borowitz''s memoir of Emily Dickinson (basically, she was a drunken jerk), and Michael Feldman''s helpful (re)locating of the Midwest.

Witty, wise, and just plain wonderful, the inaugural volume of this biennial, Mirth of a Nation, ensured a place for the best contemporary humor writing in the country. And with this second treasury, Michael J. Rosen has once again assembled a triumphant salute to one of America''s greatest assets: its sense of humor. More than five dozen acclaimed authors showcase their hilariously inventive works, including Paul Rudnick, Henry Alford, Susan McCarthy, Media Person Lewis Grossberger, Ian Frazier, Richard Bausch, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Nell Scovell, Andy Borowitz, and Ben Greenman -- just to mention a handful so that the other contributors can justify their feelings that the world slights them.

But there''s more! More Mirth of a Nation includes scads of Unnatural Histories from Randy Cohen, Will Durst''s "Top Top-100 Lists" (including the top 100 colors, foods, and body parts), and three unabridged (albeit rather short) chapbooks:

Matt Neuman''s "49 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth" (for instance, "Make your own honey" and "Share your shower.")

Francis Heaney''s "Holy Tango of Poetry" (which answers the question, "What if poets wrote poems whose titles were anagrams of their names, i.e., ''Toilets,'' by T. S. Eliot?")

And there''s still more: "The Periodic Table of Rejected Elements," meaningless fables, Van Gogh''s Etch A Sketch drawings, a Zagat''s survey of existence, an international baby-naming encyclopedia, Aristotle''s long-lost treatise "On Baseball," and an unhealthy selection of letters from Dr. Science''s mailbag. And that''s just for starters! Just remember, as one reviewer wrote of the first volume, "Don''t drink milk while reading."

“Collecting Himself is a charmer. The old Thurber is back among us again—and some of the pieces even reveal a new Thurber. Great fun.” —Clifton Fadiman

James Thurber spent most of his career at the New Yorker magazine, drawing cartoons and writing essays and stories. Collecting Himself is a one-of-a-kind compilation of James Thurber''s vintage writings, featuring previously unanthologized articles, essays, interviews, reviews, cartoons, parodies, as well as Thurber''s reflections on his work in theater and at the New Yorker. An eclectic body of work that offers a glimpse into Thurber the man, the philosopher, and the critic.

“Thurber’s pieces . . . are jewels of English writing.” —Russell Baker, The New York Times

“Thurber is . . . a landmark in American humor . . . he is the funniest artist who ever lived.” —The New Republic

“Thurber was one of America''s most important humorists. With this collection, editor Rosen brings together an eclectic body of Thurber''s writings and drawings not previously anthologized.” —Library Journal

“Every entry [is] a reminder of Thurber''s sublime wit.” —Publishers Weekly

In this very special anthology of beautifully poetic short stories, thirty distinguished authors and illustrators explore the unique and varied meanings of home. Their touching words and magnificent art affirm the importance—and joy—of having a place to call one’s own.

Culturally diverse, multi-representative, and socially inclusive, this book is nourishment for the young soul.

At a time when displacement and homelessness remain painfully present in our society, this classic anthology is indispensable.

The distinguished contributors to this collection include:

Home can be. . .

playing on the stoop of your building,

sitting in your grandmother’s kitchen,

or hiding under your back porch stairs.

A fresh step-by-step guide for identifying your nonprofit''s planned giving prospects and inspiring them to give generously

Donor-Centered Planned Gift Marketing helps nonprofit organizations move beyond traditional marketing techniques that have historically yielded only modest results and reveals how putting the focus on the donor can produce the best outcomes for all. Here, nonprofits new to gift planning will learn to market effectively from the start while those with established programs will discover ways to enhance their efforts. You will learn about various donor-centered marketing channels and techniques, as well as how to generate internal support for an improved planned gift marketing effort.

Sharing the latest research findings, this book shows you how to identify who your planned giving prospects are. You will learn how to effectively focus on them through meaningful communication that ultimately inspires them to give-and give more.

A fresh step-by-step guide for identifying your nonprofit''s planned giving prospects and inspiring them to give generously

Donor-Centered Planned Gift Marketing helps nonprofit organizations move beyond traditional marketing techniques that have historically yielded only modest results and reveals how putting the focus on the donor can produce the best outcomes for all. Here, nonprofits new to gift planning will learn to market effectively from the start while those with established programs will discover ways to enhance their efforts. You will learn about various donor-centered marketing channels and techniques, as well as how to generate internal support for an improved planned gift marketing effort.

Sharing the latest research findings, this book shows you how to identify who your planned giving prospects are. You will learn how to effectively focus on them through meaningful communication that ultimately inspires them to give-and give more.