{"product_id":"joys-of-italian-humor-henry-spalding-hardcover","title":"Joys of Italian Humor by Henry D. Spalding Hardcover Dust Jacket Italian Folklore Wit","description":"\u003ch3\u003eEntertaining examples of Italian wit, anecdotes and humor going back centuries.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 22px 0 14px 0; padding: 8px 14px 6px 14px; border-left: 3px solid #334FB4; background-color: #f8faff;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #334fb4; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 6px 0 4px 0;\"\u003eUnlike collections built around stereotypes or recycled ethnic jokes, \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoys of Italian Humor \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eexplores humor from within Italian culture itself. Drawing upon more than two millennia of literature, folklore, proverbs, anecdotes, and storytelling traditions, \u003cstrong\u003eHenry D. Spalding\u003c\/strong\u003e assembled a unique reference work that celebrates the wit, resilience, and cultural identity of the Italian people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 6px 0 4px 0;\"\u003eCollectors of Italian American heritage, folklore, humor studies, and cultural history will appreciate both its scholarly approach and its entertaining content.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1748\" data-start=\"1517\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1542\" data-start=\"1517\"\u003eJoys of Italian Humor\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eis an entertaining and informative collection of anecdotes, short stories, theatrical excerpts, proverbs, quips, and traditional humor gathered from more than 2,500 years of Italian history and literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2170\" data-start=\"1750\"\u003eAuthor \u003cstrong data-end=\"1778\" data-start=\"1757\"\u003eHenry D. Spalding\u003c\/strong\u003e searched Italian sources ranging from Ancient Rome to modern America, creating one of the first English-language books to seriously examine the development of Italian wit and humor as a cultural tradition. Rather than relying upon familiar stereotypes or anti-Italian jokes, Spalding presents humor written by Italians and rooted in authentic Italian folklore, literature, and everyday life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 22px 0 14px 0; padding: 8px 14px 6px 14px; border-left: 3px solid #C1A97B; background-color: #f7f3eb;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #8a6b2f; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHenry Daniel Spalding \u003c\/b\u003e(1915–1999) was a journalist, editor, publisher, and author whose career reflected a lifelong fascination with the immigrant cultures that shaped American life. Raised in New York City among Italian, Irish, and Jewish communities, he developed a deep appreciation for ethnic traditions, folklore, and storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3910\" data-start=\"3573\"\u003eAfter leaving school at an early age to help support his family, Spalding built a successful writing career that included work as a reporter for the \u003cem data-end=\"3739\" data-start=\"3722\"\u003eNew York Mirror\u003c\/em\u003e and service as an accredited White House correspondent. His books often focused on cultural traditions and the contributions of immigrant communities to American society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2419\" data-start=\"2172\"\u003eReaders will encounter a colorful cast of characters—from Renaissance jesters and village storytellers to political leaders, literary figures, and ordinary citizens whose observations and experiences reflect the enduring spirit of Italian culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2716\" data-start=\"2421\"\u003eOriginally published in 1980 as\u003cem\u003e \u003cstrong data-end=\"2491\" data-start=\"2453\"\u003eJoys of Italian Humor and Folklore\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, this later edition retains the book's engaging blend of scholarship and entertainment. The volume serves equally well as a bedside reader, cultural reference, or gift for those interested in Italian heritage and traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2914\" data-start=\"2887\"\u003eIn like-new vintage condition--the bright red dust jacket remains exceptionally well preserved with no tears and only the slightest age-related toning along portions of the edge. Fly leaf has a very small (¼\") dark spot. The gray hardcover binding is equally well preserved with clean pages, a tight binding, and little evidence of prior use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse the\u003cstrong\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thetownhouseantiques.com\/collections\/vintage-antique-fiction\" title=\"Classic literature, children's books and modern fiction books\" style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003eClassic Literature collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e for more classics, modern fiction and links to other popular printed works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Jonathan David Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43350557524035,"sku":null,"price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0114\/3262\/4186\/files\/JoysofItalianHumor021.jpg?v=1780857647","url":"https:\/\/thetownhouseantiques.com\/products\/joys-of-italian-humor-henry-spalding-hardcover","provider":"The Townhouse Antiques \u0026 Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}