Viva la Repartee: Clever Comebacks and Witty Retorts from History's Great Wits and Wordsmiths

Rarely had the perfect comeback-thanks to Dr. Grothe, now I do!Many thanks-living in NYC, this is truly valuable.Recommended!

The strong points of this book are excellent research and discriminating choice of famous retorts and comebacks. You'll see the well-known ones you expect, from wits such as Winston Churchill and Calvin Coolidge, but also a host of witty remarks from lesser known personages.I'm serious about how good the research is. I had wondered for years about a story concerning a retired engineer called in to fix an intractable problem. I had heard many variations, most of them with no details. This book identified the particulars: it was Charles Steinmetz of General Electric who famously sent the $10,000 bill, itemized with $1 for a chalk mark and $9999 for knowing where to put it.The introductions to each bit of repartee are OK, but they don't come off so well contrasted with the conciseness of the repartee itself. There's a fair bit of detail on the people and situations involved. Sometimes it helps accentuate the wit. Other times it seemed a bit superfluous to me.Overall, though, I recommend it. If you're a speaker looking for funny stories, you'll likely find a few. If you just like clever use of language, you'll find plenty of it. And it's a great book for a guestroom nightstand when you're done with it.

After some trials and errors I came across this title and seeing how affordable it was plus the number of pages to possibly enjoy, I bought it. Been on a quest, sort of speak, for this type of material and so far my results had all been "lukewarm" at best. The way this book is organized and presented is a cut above the rest, the introduction to each entry is a fountain of knowledge readily available for the avid reader of this type of literature. There are some jewels to be found in the pages of Viva la Repartee: Clever Comebacks and Witty Retorts from History's Great Wits and Wordsmiths and as many distinguished fellow reviewers have already pointed out this book is a keeper. Mankind has always had selective members whose wit and genialities make this world much more interesting and colorful than it otherwise would have turned out to be. These are all characters of the great world in which we exist and it is definitely worth to acquire a book of this nature. Funny at times, incisive at others and all in between, it certainly elevates the human condition with good humor and wit. All people mentioned in this book are interesting and the author has taken the time to inform and delight at the same time. For the money, enjoyment and sheer value you can not beat this one. 5 Stars, anything less would be uncivilized!

This is one of the most delightful books you will ever buy. The fact that it's on sale on Amazon for less than $6 is unbelievable. Give it as a gift to all of your intelligent, witty friends and by all means, keep a copy for yourself. It will charm you, make you everyone's favorite dinner companion, and send you to bed with a smile on your face and a longing for the times when wits used words with elegance and good humor, rather than as clubs for whacking opponents. Dr. Mardy Grothe is consistently good, insightful and funny. I wait for the publication of his books and always sign up early to purchase them. In addition, I would recommend Bartlett's Book of Anecdotes, edited by Clifton Fadiman and Andre Bernard. Like Viva La Repartee, it will give you moments when you roar, snort, giggle, and collapse with laughter. What better gift could there be?

An enjoyable, educational read with very good stories and grammar. I would have given this 5 stars had the print not been nearly boilerplate type. With 9 blank pages, you would think more space for a larger point size?

And spear your enemies. Author Mardy Grothe has compiled some of the best witty remarks, classic retorts, and nuanced nudges into this browsable volume. Divided into 15 chapters by subject (sports, politics, literary, etc.), Grothe covers the world of wit. Rather than just an endless listing, he does the reader an enormous favor but putting each remark in the context of when/how/where it was said. He does so concisely to further enjoy the repartee and its intended (and unintended) audience. Books like this are not be plowed through, but are more like tapas, to be lightly sampled until you have exhausted the contents.

I'd encountered some of these before. I appreciated Grothe's attempt to verify sources. This should be read in small bits rather than devoured whole. I'd encountered quite a few quotes I felt should be in this book but weren't so I can only give four stars. But those are well-earned.

Wonderfully funny book. I have recommended it to several others. The repartee are clever, occasionally erudite, convulsively funny. One wishes to have said them one's self. Oh to be so quick on the draw.

Jolly good read and made me laugh out aloud! A nice little page turner for those moments of just enjoying and not 'intellectualising' too much! Some retorts are so clever!

A most engaging book making life livable and laughable.

Great collection. Loved every come back thats written in this book.

This book is the real deal. I've never chuckled reading any book but this one..