The National Lampoon Encyclopedia of Humor

The National Lampoon Encyclopedia of Humor (1973) is a compilation of original comedic material arranged in encyclopedia format, featuring contributions from the top writers and artists associated with National Lampoon magazine. The book was released as a special issue but stands alone from the regular magazine publication. The volume contains an extensive collection of satirical entries, cartoons, and comic strips created specifically for this project. Contributors include prominent humorists Michael O'Donoghue, P.J. O'Rourke, Terry Southern, and Doug Kenney, alongside visual artists like B. Kliban, Edward Gorey, and Bruce McCall. The book includes a removable "National Lampoon Map of the World" and maintains the irreverent, boundary-pushing style that defined the magazine's peak era. Each alphabetized entry presents a different format or approach to comedy, from illustrated segments to written pieces. This encyclopedia represents a significant milestone in American satirical publishing, capturing the countercultural spirit and experimental comedy of the early 1970s. The diverse array of contributions creates a comprehensive snapshot of the National Lampoon's distinctive comedic voice during its most influential period.

Reader reviews for this book are scarce online, making it difficult to provide a thorough analysis of reader opinions. The book has no ratings on Goodreads and only a few scattered mentions in online forums. Readers who enjoyed it note: - The absurdist humor and satirical style - The detailed parodies of encyclopedia entries - O'Donoghue's dark comedic sensibilities Criticism includes: - Some jokes and references feel dated - The humor can be mean-spirited - Content may offend modern sensibilities The book appears to have a cult following among National Lampoon fans but limited mainstream recognition. Due to being out of print and having few available copies, most discussion comes from vintage humor collectors and comedy historians rather than general readers. No current ratings exist on major review platforms like Amazon or Goodreads. Most mentions appear in discussions of O'Donoghue's broader work and National Lampoon's history rather than dedicated book reviews.

Bored of the Rings by Henry Beard This parody of Tolkien's work employs the same irreverent, satirical humor found in The National Lampoon Encyclopedia.

The Areas of My Expertise by John Hodgman The book presents false facts and invented history in an encyclopedia format that mirrors The National Lampoon Encyclopedia's approach to manufactured knowledge.

The Onion Book of Known Knowledge by The Onion This complete encyclopedia of fake information continues the tradition of satirical reference works with the same deadpan delivery style.

The Book of the SubGenius by J.R. "Bob" Dobbs The mock religion and cultural satire presented in encyclopedia form shares DNA with The National Lampoon Encyclopedia's format and absurdist sensibilities.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Original Radio Scripts by Douglas Adams The original scripts contain the same blend of intellectual and lowbrow humor that characterizes The National Lampoon Encyclopedia's approach to comedy.

🔸 Michael O'Donoghue was also one of the original writers for Saturday Night Live and wrote the very first line ever spoken on the show in 1975. 🔸 The "National Lampoon Map of the World" from the encyclopedia became so popular it was later sold separately as a poster and is now considered a collectible item. 🔸 Edward Gorey, one of the book's illustrators, is famous for creating the eerie animated introduction sequence for PBS's "Mystery!" series and has influenced gothic artists like Tim Burton. 🔸 The encyclopedia was first published as a special edition of National Lampoon magazine during its peak circulation period when it reached about 1 million readers monthly. 🔸 P.J. O'Rourke, one of the contributors, went on to become the head editor of National Lampoon from 1978 to 1981 and later served as foreign affairs desk chief for Rolling Stone magazine.