African American Humor: The Best Black Comedy from Slavery to Today [Paperback]

This collection of anecdotes, tales, jokes, toasts, rhymes, satire, riffs, poems, stand-up sketches, and snaps documents the evolution of African American humor over the past two centuries. It includes routines and writings from such luminaries as Bert Williams, Butterbeans & Susie, Stepin Fetchit, Moms Mabley, Ralph Ellison, Langston Hughes, Redd Foxx, Ishmael Reed, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Martin Lawrence, and Chris Rock. This anthology includes classic stage routines, literary examples, and witty quotations presented in their entirety.

“Mel Watkins has done for comedy what Alex Haley did for the family.” —Ishmael Reed

“Full of raucous mirth.” —American Legacy

Mel Watkinsis a former editor for theNew York Times Book Reviewand the author ofOn the Real SideandDancing with Strangers. He lives in New York City.