Wow. This little book is a gem. 160 years of stand-up comedy's development is laid out clearly and concisely. Every page is loaded with fascinating facts. I especially enjoyed learning how comedians (they used to be called "monologists") adapted to emerging technologies like sound recordings, stage mics, film, network radio, LPs, TV, and most notably - the internet.
From Artemus Ward to Dick Gregory to Joan Rivers to John Mulaney, it's all there. I thought stand-up comedy got started in the Catskill mountains. Now I know better. Recommend.
