Great anthology, but doesn't have some of the best from his other books. Luckily, these are still available. ( )

Basically a reprint of an older, out-of-print Perelman collection, the
articles and essays here come mostly from the New Yorker and were
originally published between 1930 and 1958. Introduced by "guest
editor" Steve Martin (whose sole contribution as editor seems to be the
unnecessary cutting of the "Acres and Pains" section of the original
collection, which at one point could be purchased separately but is now
out of print) the collection is a fine introduction to Perelman's work
unique brand of humor writing. The highlight of the collection is the
"Cloudland Revisited" series, in which Perelman looks back at the films
and book he enjoyed in his youth with the clearer vision of his
adulthood and realizing what dreck all of it was. It's a fine
collection, and it's nice to see Perelman being reprinted in any form,
but why the Modern Library would bother to reprint an abridged version
of this master's work is beyond me.

(This review originally appeared on zombieunderground.net) ( )