Satire
The Litigants
This play, which is neither a comedy or a farce but has elements in common with each, was first performed in 1668 at Paris, and afterwards a…
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang
"Captain Billy's Whiz Bang" was an iconic magazine of wit and humor launched by W.H. Fawcett in 1919. Each 64-page issue was packe…
Zadig or The Book of Fate
"there is no Evil under the Sun, but some Good proceeds from it:" -- this quote from this novel sums it up. One of Voltaire's most…
The School for Husbands
In 1661 and 1662 Moliere presented the plays The School for Husbands (this one) and then The School for Wives. "The central situations …
Bob And Ray
Join the comedic duo Bob and Ray in this classic radio broadcast from WOR on December 20, 1973. Their unique blend of humor and wit brings a…
Mr. Dooley in Peace and in War
In Chicago lay a street called Archey Road, which stretched through a neighborhood which was mostly Irish immigrants, among whom was Martin …
Back to Methuselah
In this late work, Shaw examines many contemporary issues under the broad rubric of evolution and then illustrates his opinions in five brie…
A Battle of the Books
"When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for an author to dissolve the bands which have connected him with his publis…
Candide
Candide, ou l’Optimisme, (“Candide, or Optimism”) (1759) is a picaresque novel by the Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire. Voltaire never ope…
The Impromptu of Versailles
The setup here is that Moliere and his troupe have been sent for by the King to come perform at Versailles. But instead of the piece they ha…
Bob And Ray Overstock Door Chimes
Posted here to satisfy an unusual group of Door Bell Geeks.
An Essay on the Art of Ingeniously Tormenting
An Essay on the Art of Ingeniously Tormenting was a conduct book written by Jane Collier and published in 1753. The Essay was Collier's firs…
The Wit and Humor of America
The Wit and Humor of America, Volume 5 invites listeners to explore a rich tapestry of American wit through a curated collection of 43 short…
Three Dialogues
Barry Pain is today best known for his ghost and horror stories, but he could also write some excellent social satire. This series of three …
The Learned Women
Two young people, Henriette and Clitandre, are in love, but in order to marry, they must overcome an obstacle: the attitude of Henriette's f…
On A Shadow In A Glass
Jonathan Swift was an Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer (first for the Whigs, then for the Tories), poet and cleric who …
Mont Oriol
Young bride Christiane arrives in Auvergne to "take the waters" with her husband, described as "a sickly flower, or a sucking…
Bill Nye's Sparks
Humorist Bill Nye, in his brief 46 years, served as justice of the peace, newspaperman, miner, and postmaster in the rough town of Laramie, …
Moonbeams from the Larger Lunacy
Moonbeams from the Larger Lunacy offers a collection of sharp and witty reflections on life in the early 20th century, penned by the renowne…
Satires and Profanities
Satires and Profanities is a collection of sharp-witted essays and stories by George William Foote, a prominent figure in the realm of Freet…