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

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

Author: Mardy Grothe
Binding: Hardcover
Published: 2005-11-01
ISBN: 0060789484

$10.92


 

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

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


Editorial Review:

For most of us, that perfect retort or witty reply often escapes us when we need it most, only to come to mind with perfect clarity when it's too late to be useful. The twentieth-century writer Heywood Broun described this all-too-common phenomenon when he wrote "Repartee is what we wish we'd said."

In Viva la Repartee, Dr. Mardy Grothe, author of Oxymoronica, has lovingly assembled a collection of masterfully composed -- and perfectly timed -- replies that have turned the tables on opponents and adversaries. This delightful volume is a celebration of the most impressive retorts, ripostes, rejoinders, comebacks, quips, ad-libs, bon mots, off-the-cuff comments, wisecracks, and other clever remarks ever to come out of the mouths -- and from the pens -- of people throughout history. Touching on all areas of human endeavor, including politics, the arts, literature, sports, relationships, and even the risqué, the book features contributions from Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Dorothy Parker, Mae West, Groucho Marx, Winston Churchill, Dolly Parton, and scores more.

As entertaining as it is intellectually enriching, Viva la Repartee is sure to capture the attention of language lovers and is the perfect antidote for anyone who's ever thought I wish I'd said that!

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

Great book:

As one reviewer of this book wrote:"This book isn't guaranteed to make you more clever, but it certainly can't hurt." This book is ingeniously written. Don't be alarmed if you find yourself laughing aloud. This book will keep you engaged from beginning to end. I have recommended it to several friends already.

absolutely great:

one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, book i have ever read. replete with smart and ingenious comeback with full story behind it, unlike many other books that merely quote the retorts.

Salient snippets and laser focued wit:

An absolute joy.
Mardy Grothe's "Viva La Repartee" is a carefully edited collection of stories, excerpts, salient snippets that all fall under the heading of "Gee, I wish I'd said that..." An absolute joy from the first page (Winston Churchill's rejoinder to Lady Astor) to the the last page (Mae West's caustic aside in the film Myra Breckenridge).

Vive la Repartee:

This is a lovely collection of wonderful replies, retorts, Bon Mots et. al. It is fun to read and is full of historical allusions that make the journey all the more delightful. It is a great gift for the writer in your life, even if the writer is you.


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