New England Joke Lore: The Tonic of Yankee Humor

"New England Joke Lore: The Tonic of Yankee Humor" by Arthur George Crandall is a compilation of funny stories that probably came out in the early 1900s. The book examines cleverness and strange behavior of people from New England, through funny stories that show what Yankee humor is all about. The stories emphasize the unique traits of townsfolk and funny happenings that come from regular, daily experiences, making it a fun and interesting read for anyone interested in regional humor. The story starts with Uncle Andrew Cheney, a person showing a mix of annoyance and humor found in the well-mannered but odd New England soul. Taking place in the countryside, the story tells of Uncle Andrew’s dislike of a rich neighbor’s flashy way of living, leading to humorous thoughts about his own life. As he sits by a store, dealing with his jealousy, Uncle Andrew’s thoughts display a playful, joking way of writing that goes through the book, creating an interesting collection of people and stories that show more of New England's unique sense of humor.