Corey Ford

Corey Ford (1902-1969) was an American humorist, author, and screenwriter known for his satirical writing and contributions to magazines like The New Yorker and Vanity Fair. During his early career in the 1920s and 1930s, Ford established himself as a skilled parodist through his work at Vanity Fair, where he served as managing editor. His satirical pieces often targeted literary figures and popular culture of the era, including successful parodies of contemporary writers. Ford wrote over 30 books, with works ranging from humor collections to outdoor sporting literature. His best-known books include "The Time of Laughter" (1967), a memoir of American humor between the World Wars, and "Where the Sea Breaks its Back" (1966), an account of naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller's expedition to Alaska. The author maintained close connections with the Dartmouth College community, where he wrote for the Jack-O-Lantern humor magazine and later established the Corey Ford Writing Fellowship. His legacy includes significant contributions to American humor writing and outdoor literature of the mid-20th century.

Readers highlight Ford's wit and skill at parody, particularly in his magazine work from the 1920s-30s. His outdoor writing receives praise for detailed research and engaging storytelling. Liked: - Clear, accessible writing style that brings historical events to life - Sharp humor that remains relevant despite its age - Thorough research in his naturalist works One Amazon reviewer noted: "His descriptions of Alaska in 'Where the Sea Breaks its Back' transport you there completely." Disliked: - Some dated cultural references that modern readers miss - Uneven quality across his large body of work - Period-specific humor that doesn't always translate to current times Ratings: - Goodreads: "Where the Sea Breaks its Back" - 4.1/5 (127 ratings) - Amazon: "The Time of Laughter" - 4.3/5 (23 ratings) - Amazon: "Lower Than Angels" - 3.8/5 (15 ratings) Note: Limited online reviews available due to the age of most works. Most reader feedback comes from antiquarian book sites and historical magazine archives.

The John Riddell Murder Case (1930) A parody of contemporary detective fiction that follows the investigation of a murder at a dinner party while satirizing the popular mystery writers of the era.

The Time of Laughter (1967) A memoir chronicling American humor between World Wars I and II, documenting the author's experiences and observations of the era's comedic landscape.

Where the Sea Breaks its Back (1966) A historical account of naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller's 1741 expedition to Alaska with Vitus Bering, detailing their discoveries and hardships.

The Lower Forty (1959) A collection of hunting and fishing stories that document outdoor experiences in New England and other American wilderness areas.

Every Excuse in the Book (1956) A compilation of humorous essays examining common excuses people use to avoid various responsibilities and obligations.

Cloak and Dagger: The Secret Story of OSS (1946) A non-fiction account of the World War II activities of the Office of Strategic Services, America's wartime intelligence agency.

The Day of the Hunting (1952) A collection of stories focusing on hunting experiences and outdoor adventures across various American landscapes.

Robert Benchley wrote humor pieces for The New Yorker and other magazines during the same era as Ford, with a similar style of literary parody and social commentary. He was part of the Algonquin Round Table and produced collections of essays that blend sophistication with accessible humor.

S.J. Perelman specialized in verbal comedy and satire for The New Yorker, creating elaborate literary parodies that matched Ford's satirical sensibilities. He wrote screenplays and humor pieces from the 1930s to 1970s, focusing on wordplay and cultural criticism.

E.B. White contributed to The New Yorker as an essayist and humorist during the same period as Ford, writing with a comparable mix of wit and observation. He produced both literary works and outdoor writing, including pieces about rural life in Maine.

Patrick F. McManus wrote humor pieces about outdoor life and sporting activities, particularly fishing and hunting, similar to Ford's outdoor literature. His work appeared in outdoor magazines and was collected in multiple books that combine personal experience with comic storytelling.

James Thurber wrote for The New Yorker and created humor pieces that, like Ford's work, combined sophisticated wit with accessible storytelling. His work included literary parodies and observational humor about American life in the mid-20th century.