About the Author

Neil A. Grauer is a freelance journalist and a former reporter and cartoonist for the Baltimore "News-American." He has published four books, including "Wits and Sages," a collection of profiles and caricatures of various syndicated columnists. Grauer is also a writer for Vanguard Communications in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

"[Grauer] writes smoothly and entertainingly, and with a keen sense of what makes Thurber so endearingly funny." - Publishers Weekly "A uniquely sparkling book." - Hugh Kenner "Biography at its best. Neil Grauer paints Thurber as Lely painted Cromwell, pimples, warts, and all, and gives us a portrait to remember." - James J. Kilpatrick

The great humorist admired-as he exemplified in his work-brevity and concision. So he would certainly have approved of the modest dimensions of this study of himself. In an age of overdetailed biographies, this book says just what needs to be said, then stops. Grauer, a former newspaper cartoonist and reporter, writes smoothly and entertainingly, and with a keen sense of what makes Thurber (1894-1961) so endearingly funny. His quotes are apt, his anecdotes neatly told, and he even gives us a handful of the classic cartoons. Grauer is also fair, presenting an unvarnished picture of Thurber's bitter last years when, perhaps aware that his gifts were waning, the blind writer boasted vainly of his former triumphs, antagonized such old friends as E.B. White and Roger Angell and threw his eyeglasses at the wall. These days it is easy to be overcritical of Thurber's misogyny and occasional resort to racial humor; still, as Grauer notes, his increasing misanthropy was often prescient, and he remained, in all his inconsistencies, steadfast in two beliefs: in the superiority of animals to humankind, and his dread of technology. Photos not seen by PW. (Nov.)