Humor Ancient

Can jokes win a hostile room, a hopeless argument, or even an election? You bet they can, according to Cicero, and he knew what he was talking about. One of Rome's greatest politicians, speakers, and lawyers, Cicero was also reputedly one of antiquity's funniest people. After he was elected commander-in-chief and head of state, his enemies even started calling him "the stand-up Consul". How to Tell a Joke provides a lively new translation of Cicero's essential writing on humor alongside that of the later Roman orator and educator Quintilian.  

Digging up Trouble...Hank the Cowdog is on the case in his 50th mystery, and it's an extra long, laugh-out-loud adventure! When Hank gets invited, that is, invites himself on an archaeological dig, all he can think about is impressing the head scientist's beautiful lady dog. But Hank's heart isn't the only thing that's about to get stolen!

The first time Sam Vives travelled through time it was unexpected and he almost died. Several times. In order to prevent any more accidents, his uncle takes him under his wing and begins to teach him what it means to be a Displacer and how to use his newfound powers. Book 2 of the five part "Displacers" series.

An ancient witch explores the thrills—and perils—of online dating with hilarity and heart in a charming rom-com perfect for fans of cozy fantasy and witchy romance. Meet Thorn Scarhart, a thirty-nine-year-old witch who’s having trouble finding love in the 17th century. Despite the local...

She’s got perfect posture, a nasty temper, and centuries of know-how. Will trying to fix the fourth dimension leave her trapped in a harsh new reality? Ireland, 1100’s. Wilda Firestone doesn’t put up with incompetence. Awaiting extraction back to her regularly scheduled life in modern Toronto, the feisty sixty-year-old spends the days hanging out with druids and learning local lore. But when she and her two companions finally make contact with her boss, she realizes that thwarting the terrorists who are corrupting history has left their portal home out of order. Tasked with sabotaging...

From an absolutely unmissable voice in cozy fantasy, this tale shares the story of fae, folklore, and found family, told by a charismatic lake-dwelling monster with a voice unlike any other. Beneath the still surface of a lake lurks a monster with needle sharp teeth. Hungry and ready to pounce...

Philosophy made fun & unforgettable!! 4+ BONUSES! Philosophy isn’t just something you read — it’s something you do. Debate Truth, Logic, Ethics, Politics, Science, God, Free Will, Happiness, Reality, the Soul & Meaning of Life From Socrates’ questions to Aristotle’s categories, from Epicurus’ garden to Stoic survival skills, you don’t just study philosophy here — you debate, laugh, question, & even quiz yourself along the way. 🏛 Inside You’ll Discover: The Big 3 Greeks—Socrates, Plato & Aristotle explained simply, clearly, & with stories that stick Epicurus, Zeno & ...

The town psychiatrist has decided to switch everybody in Pine Cove, California, from their normal antidepressants to placebos, so naturally—well, to be accurate, artificially—business is booming at the local blues bar. Trouble is, those lonely slide-guitar notes have also attracted a...

A classic comedy by the great Oscar Wilde. The Importance of Being Earnest is his short farce consisting of numerous noms de plume, a case of mistaken identity, an identity left in a case by mistake, and the mistake of revealing ones identity in the presence of a previous employer, which may result post-script in a case for Scotland Yard. Or to put much more simply, of Jack and his attempts to woo Gwendolyn, his would-be bride... even if she does seem to think his name is Earnest.

Forget what you think you know about the Good Book. The BC Bible is not a sermon—it’s a riotous, irreverent, and razor-sharp deep dive into the most bizarre, brutal, and brilliantly baffling stories in the Bible. Written with wit, bite, and a historian’s curiosity, Robert Ragnar takes you on a chronological journey through scripture with a scalpel in one hand and a shot of whiskey in the other. From talking snakes to cosmic floods, divine tantrums to circumcision revenge plots, Ragnar unpacks the ancient texts with equal parts skepticism, satire, and sincere wonder. Raised in the pews...

The legendary Deep Thoughts and New Yorker humorist Jack Handey is back with his very first novel-a hilarious, absurd, far-flung adventure tale. The Stench of Honolulu Are you a fan of books in which famous tourist destinations are repurposed as unlivable hellholes for no particular reason? Read...

The brain, we have been told is greater than might. Truly and indeed, as could be seen in this short story, the Tortoises used her superior brain and intelligence to beat and out witted the dog in a race to win the most beautiful king daughter as wife. Though, it is unimaginable but it happened. Even you too can learn how to out smart and over take your particular competitors in life and business. Read and apply these indispensable lessons and win every days race and out shined your competitors. Yes! It is very possible and important you read, learn and apply these unbeatable and valuable ...

Theodosia Throckmorton has her hands full at the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in London. Her father may be head curator, but it is Theoand only Theowho is able to see all the black magic and ancient curses that still cling to the artifacts in the museum. Sneaking behind her fathers back, Theo uses old, nearly forgotten Egyptian magic to remove the curses and protect her father and the rest of the museum employees from the ancient, sinister forces that lurk in the museums dark hallways.

Welcome to Night Vale meets Rachel Harrison in this campy, cozy horror series from Reddit sensation Bonnie Quinn, as a campground manager must do everything she can to keep her campers alive. Every year, campground manager Kate sends out a pamphlet titled “How to Survive Your Camping...

With one word, he sealed her fate. “Mine.” Esme is left behind when the Viking marauders appear in their sleepy village. She hopes to bargain with them, a cask of fine wine for the safety of the orphans she helps to watch over. But once the fierce Viking Headsman sets eyes on her, his intentions are plain. Magnus cannot believe his sight. The Saxon woman is the fairest creature he has ever seen. He resolves to have then, then and there, claiming her as his own. He doesn’t realize that convincing the stubborn thrall of her new place will be another matter altogether. He carries her ...

This anthology contains five short stories previously published in READING for Christian Schools Grade 6 (Bob Jones University Press 1988), updated for a new generation of readers, with plenty of new illustrations. Black and White interior and a full-cover cover. “Val is For Valiant” - An ordinary boy has an extraordinary dream that changes his life. “The Monument” - A game of tag turns into a journey of discovery and danger “Brethren Nisei” - A white American boy watches his Japanese friends undergo persecution during the war “Antarctica” - Two brothers help their uncle ...

With just three months until the king razes her new home to build a coal mine, Alison Lennox and her friends travel to the isolated campus of Winwold College, a beautiful old castle nestled deep in the mountains of Loegria. There, they meet eccentric Professor Mircalla Marin and her bumbling graduate student Leo, the only people who can help them fix their solar generator in time to save the town. But when a massive storm cuts the campus off from the outside world, strange things begin to happen.

Get ready for a thrilling adventure! Meet Eliza Bennett, a brilliant scientist with a knack for textiles, and her ever-present, ever-sarcastic orange cat companion, Merlin. Their ordinary lab days, filled with microscopes and the occasional cat hair, are shattered by an urgent discovery in the Amazon.Imagine a plant with fibers stronger than Kevlar, as flexible as cotton, and miraculously self-healing! This could revolutionize everything from clothing to medicine. But when Eliza is called to analyze this Flor de la Eternidad—Flower of Eternity—she uncovers more than just groundbreaking ...

Book 2 of 5 Bruce thought surviving the future was hard. Turns out hiding from it is worse. After becoming the world’s most unexpected science experiment, Bruce is finally starting to enjoy modern life—family dinners, bad television, and a world that mostly isn’t trying to dissect him. Unfortunately, “mostly” isn’t good enough. When suspicious activity, mysterious technology failures, and a few too many unanswered questions start drawing attention, the family makes a bold decision: Bruce has to disappear. Completely. No internet. No phones. No trace. Going off the grid sounds ...

A whirlwind adventure packed with magic, mystery, and a dash of chaos! Ollie Brewer might be just a regular school kid, but when a field trip to the British Museum goes terribly wrong, he’s thrust into a magical world of labyrinths, lost wands, and very grumpy Minotaurs. With his best friend Samantha at his side and an ancient curse hanging over them, Ollie has to outwit deadly creatures, solve impossible puzzles, and maybe even save the day. Along the way, he’ll discover the true meaning of bravery, friendship, and how sometimes the best adventures happen when you least expect them. ...