Humor is sometimes a serious business especially the humor of BenjaminFranklin a master at revealing the human condition through comedy. For thecountrys bicente... » 

Humor is sometimes a serious business especially the humor of BenjaminFranklin a master at revealing the human condition through comedy. For thecountrys bicentennial Readers Digest named Franklin Man of the Year forembodying the characteristics we admire most about ourselves as Americans humor irony energy and fresh insight. Recreating Franklins words in theway that his contemporaries would have read and understood them Paul M. Zallchronicles Franklins use and abuse of humor for commercial diplomatic andpolitical purposes. Dedicated to the uniquely appealing and enduring humor ofBenjamin Franklin Zall lovingly samples Franklins apologues on the necessityof living reasonably even when lifes circumstances may seem absurd. «