Arizona Humoresque A Century of Arizona Humor

Arizona Humoresque , acollection of always humorous and often hilarious writing edited by notedWestern folklorist C. L. Sonnichsen, adds a new chapter to the social historyof the state. Covering the past century, excerpts range from Alfred HenryLewis's Wolfville series, which poked fun at the unhurried citizens of frontierTombstone, to Barbara Kingsolver's side-splitting account of trying to get ajob and a place to stay in modern-day Tucson.In the years between, a variety of humorists sniffed out the ridiculous inall corners of the state and in all levels of its society. Byrd Baylor does itfor the Papago Indians living in Tucson. Mo Udall does it for the politicians.Country people, city people, and the state's great liars have their innings,too.Arizona Humoresque is good for browsing, but it has historicaland literary value for those who want to look closer. It introduces some ofArizona's best writers to a generation that might otherwise forget them.Sonnichsen came to Texas in 1931 and taught for 41 years at what is now theUniversity of Texas at El Paso. In 1972 he moved to Tucson to be editor of theJournal of Arizona History. The author of 29 books, including Roy Bean: LawWest of the Pecos, he died in June of 1991 at the age of 89. With ArizonaHumoresque he has left an enduring legacy.Sonnichsen, Charles L. is the author of 'Arizona Humoresque A Century of Arizona Humor' with ISBN 9780882899008 and ISBN 0882899007.