Great British Wit: The Greatest Assembly of British Wit and Humour Ever

by Rosemarie Jarski

Arranged thematically—from Class and Character, Sex and Snobbery, to the Foreigner’s Eye View—here is the definitive collection of the British nation’s funniest quotations. Among the many great and good who dazzle us with their wit are Martin Amis, Jane Austen, Billy Connolly, Quentin Crisp, Roald Dahl, John Lennon, Queen Victoria, and Oscar Wilde.

Genres: Humor, Reference, Nonfiction, History, Comedy

464 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sophie Crane]

A Great compendium of english humour.

[Ben Carter]

The greatness of the British wit and sense of humour is rarely a conversation that divides opinion. The impulse to play things down and cover for awkward emotions - expressed through self-deprecation and irony - is one its most dominant and endearing themes. I think a quote from the book by Basil Boothroyd sums up this British attitude wonderfully 'I always thought the worst thing about drowning was having to call "Help!" You must look such a fool.'

I was looking forward to giving this book the full-house, however, in what I assumed would be a precious collection, I was disappointed to see - alongside the valuable contributions of Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and Stephen Fry - that Robbie Williams had made the cut. I know that may sound trivial, but I feel like it's not the only example of where quantity was favoured over quality. Having said that, it was, on the whole, an entertaining and enjoyable read.

[Verena Wachnitz]

Entertaining collection of quotes on everything and anything British.

[Pgchuis]

My daughter found this in a secondhand bookshop and gave it to me for Christmas. This is a mixture of 'wit' and outright jokes, and the sort of book you dip into now and again. There are many quotations by Churchill, usually being outrageously rude, side by side with jokes by Jimmy Carr. It's divided into topics, so you can locate ones you want to read aloud to family members.

[Ralph N]

Exactly what I was hoping for in this book. I get along very well with British humor.

[Judith Gunn]

This is great fun. And as it is "wit," the jokes are clean and often thoughtful.

[Izzy Peasy]

This book is an absolute gem of British humour. I love it and, although I say I've read it, it's really a book you go to for a bit of fun every now and then. Funny anecdote: I bought this for myself on a day off in Brighton once, and I got a second copy for my birthday last year from a person who is very dear to me. Proof they know me well? Surely :) This book is a must-have if you like the British wit!

[Jan Waller]

Keeps me going when the home sickness kicks in.

[Patricia]

Fun, witty and charming. Perfect for quick reading in between more serious reads.

[Rob Wiltsher]

This would be a main contender for the book I would take to my Radio 4 desert island.....

[Muneera Salem-Murdock]

Was given to me by Tamara a few years ago. It is not the kind of book one reads in one sitting! Enjoyable, however.