Showing results by author "Stephen leacock" in All Categories

This book describes Canada from the beginning of existence to its first European discoverers and includes a brief history of the aboriginal people. These little books were designed to cover Canadian history in a scholarly and readable fashion.

Jacques Cartier grew up as a sailor, married well and became an agent of exploration for King Francis I of France. In April, 1534, he sailed for the New World. Before sailing, his men took an oath that they would “behave themselves truly and faithfully in the service of the Most Christian King.” Jacques’ name was made immortal by the faithfulness with which he and his men carried out that oath. Summary from Christian History Institute, used with permission.

Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) was a Canadian writer, teacher, and political scientist. A prolific and popular humorist, he published dozens of novels, short stories, articles, and essays over his 40-year literary career. Nonsense Novels, published in 1911, is a collection of stories parodying various literary genres. Everyone is fair game -- brilliant detectives, noble knights, rebellious heirs, lovelorn teens, prodigal sons, and more. (Summary by Louise J. Belle)

More stories by Canadian Stephen Leacock. Some of these stories carry over characters introduced in Further Foolishness. Some stories are humourous; some are more thoughtful. It helps to be familiar with WWI-era European politics to catch much of the humour. (Summary by TriciaG)

Stephen Leacock (1869 - 1944) is considered by many to be the Canadian counterpart to the better known American humorists Mark Twain and S.J. Perelman. In the early 20th century he was one of the most widely read authors in the English speaking world. Jack Benny and Groucho Marx considered Leacock as one of the funniest writers they had ever read. The following sketches have been adapted from pieces in the miscellanies Moonbeams from the Larger Lunacy and Further Foolishness, in which Leacock satirizes many of the social institutions of his time.

Seventeen goofy stories and essays by Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock. "Professor Leacock has made more people laugh with the written word than any other living author. One may say he is one of the greatest jesters, the greatest humorist of the age." – A. P. Herbert (Introduction by TriciaG & Wikipedia)

This 1926 volume comprises thirty-five essays by the masterful Canadian humorist. - Summary by david wales

"In the course of time a very considerable public feeling was aroused in the United States and Canada over this state of affairs. The lack of reciprocity in it seemed unfair. It was felt (or at least I felt) that the time had come when some one ought to go over and take some impressions off England. The choice of such a person (my choice) fell upon myself. By an arrangement with the Geographical Society of America, acting in conjunction with the Royal Geographical Society of England (to both of whom I communicated my proposal), I went at my own expense." And from thence follow the impressions ...

This is volume 20 of The Chronicles of Canada series. This volume describes the explorers who braved the Canadian Arctic in search of the Northwest Passage, focusing on Samuel Hearne, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, and Sir John Franklin. (Summary by TriciaG)

A collection of wry looks at literature, education, and other social phenomena by Canadian humourist and economics professor, Stephen Leacock. (Summary by TriciaG)

Born in England in 1869, Stephen Leacock would immigrate to Canada and become a teacher, political scientist, and writer. He would ultimately come to be best known and loved as a humourist. Literary Lapses was first published as a collection of sketches in 1910, although many of the individual stories were first printed in various newspapers and periodicals, such as Punch, New York Life, and the Detroit Free Press.

Regarded as a gem of Canadian humorous literature, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town brings to life the charming tales of the fictional town of Mariposa. Author Stephen Leacock drew inspiration from his own experiences at his summer retreat in Orillia, Ontario, crafting stories that celebrate the quirks and characters of small-town life. (Summary by Dick Bourgeois-Doyle)

Immerse yourself in the delightful world of Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, a charming collection of stories by Stephen Leacock, originally published in 1912. Celebrated as a classic of Canadian humorous literature, these tales unfold in the fictional town of Mariposa, nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Wissanotti. While inspired by Leacocks own experiences in Orillia, Ontario, he cheekily notes in the introduction that Mariposa is not a real town—rather, it embodies countless small towns across Canada, with their familiar square streets, maple trees, and quaint churches and ...

In this thought-provoking political essay, renowned Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock, while serving as a professor of political economy at McGill University, explores the delicate balance between capitalism and socialism. Though written nearly a century ago, Leacocks insights resonate powerfully with listeners in the early 21st century, making this 90-year-old work surprisingly relevant. (Summary by Sean Michael Hogan)

Dive into a collection of captivating stories by Canadian author Stephen Leacock. This anthology features familiar characters from Further Foolishness and blends humor with thoughtful reflections. A background in WWI-era European politics will enhance your appreciation of the wit woven throughout these narratives. (Summary by TriciaG)

Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is a sequence of stories by Stephen Leacock, first published in 1912. It is generally considered to be one of the most enduring classics of Canadian humorous literature. The fictional setting for these stories is Mariposa, a small town on the shore of Lake Wissanotti. Although drawn from his experiences in Orillia, Ontario, Leacock notes: "Mariposa is not a real town. On the contrary, it is about seventy or eighty of them. You may find them all the way from Lake Superior to the sea, with the same square streets and the same maple trees and the same churches ...

The First World War has left the world in agony. Disillusionment, hopelessness, and horror are rife when a despondent author gets a visit by Father Time and Father Christmas, who come to raise his spirits. He wishes for better days, but the war has taken everything, turning him into a hopeless and angry nihilist. Nevertheless, the Christmas spirit is here to bring hope and another chance at happiness.

This a typical Christmas story but with a classic Leacock ironic twist and a zest of humour. "The Errors of Santa Claus" is a charming tale of gift-giving and kindness. It is Christmas time and parents are getting their children’s gifts ready.

One of Canada's most cherished writers, British-born Stephen Leacock was probably best known and loved for his works of light humor. First published in 1912, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is one of his most popular and enduring pieces of fiction. This collection of short stories describes the people that comprise a typical but fictional small town in Ontario - Mariposa. The book's appeal lies in the universality of the characters Leacock describes so eloquently, they live out their 'large' lives in the little town.

Nonsense Novels was first published in 1920 yet a century later remains a huge favorite among Stephen Leacock fans. The British-born Canadian writer was renowned for his humor, and Nonsense Novels epitomizes both this skill and his mastery of the ridiculous. From an ill-fated Middle Ages romance to the dubious skills of a pitiful private eye and the happy outcome of a generations-old Scottish feud, Nonsense Novels is a tremendous listen.