Book Description
More of Ogden Nash's poems have come to light, both in the voluminous Nash collection at the University of Texas at Austin, and in family letters and papers. So his daughters have once again produced The Best of Ogden Nash, the definitive Nash anthology. Some of these new poems reveal a darker side of the poet; others are full of fun. But all display the talent of the man whose verse entranced America--and a good part of the world--from the time of the Great Depression until his death in 1971. While earlier collections were organized chronologically, The Best is arranged by subject matter: the subjects of Nash's poems cannot always be identified by his titles, so fans of a particular poem will not have to search for it in vain. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Best of Ogden Nash
The Best of Ogden Nash

An excellent book which comprehensively covers the USAs wittiest writer and poet's work.

A definitive Nash anthology
Over five hundred verses gathered from a wide collection of Nash's poems results in this, a definitive Nash anthology suitable not just for college-level poetry libraries, but for general-interest lending collections. While published works comprise the bulk of this anthology, some are lesser-known works which came to light in the Nash collection at the University of Texas at Austin, and from family letters and papers, making for an outstanding, rare collection of works essential for any definitive poetry library. ... Read more

Book Description
Candy / Is dandy / But liquor / Is quicker. These inimitable lines could only have been written by Ogden Nash, the American nonpareil of light verse and one of the more remarkable figures in American letters.His keen grasp of human nature and a unique style of verse made him, in the mid-twentieth century, the most widely read and frequently quoted poet of his time.For years, readers have longed for a biography to match Nash's charm, wit, and good nature; now we have it in Douglas Parker's absorbing life of the poet.Mr. Parker has had exclusive access to family letters and diaries, and permission to quote liberally from them and from Nash's poems.He has written a warm and inviting biography of the poet who reveled in whimsy and wordplay, but who was applauded by his more serious contemporaries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Nashville
Loved the book.Ogden Nash?Not so much.As a little boy I loved his verses and would browse through THE NEW YORKER slapping the pages from left to right to see if they were carrying a new Nash poem that week.Often as not, they were, then I'd be happy, crawling away toward my treehouse to memorize his goofy sense of humor and his sophisticated attitude towards marriage.I can see how, without Ogden Nash, there might never have been a Stephen Sondheim.Parker is his ideal biographer.Obviously he had a lot of assistance from Nash's two enigmatic daughters, Linell and Isabel, whose photographs make them look like two grave Snow Whites.And yet he is not afraid to call a spade a spade, and we get the picture that the mother of these two girls, Frances, was often a Xanthippe for reasons unknown.

It's great that Parker did so much work towards reconstructing Nash's other life as a Broadway lyricist, and I'm sure that his account of Nash's work with Kurt Weill and with Vernon Duke will never be excelled.

He doesn't really pay much attention to the Hollywood work, however, and I don't know if he even bothered screening the Jeanette MacDonald starrer THE FIREFLY (co-written with Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett), which is nothing short of excellent.

The story gets grim as Nash ages and his career takes a nosedive.You get to despise Roger Angell, Nash's editor at THE NEW YORKER, for being such an obseqious Uriah Heep, even when he's rejecting Nash's latest efforts.It's like he delights in kicking Nash's butt while kissing it at the same time.Nash seems aware of Angell's double nature, but doesn't really know what to do about it.THE NEW YORKER seems like a velvet trap--can't live without it, but it tears you to pieces inside.I also enjoyed reading the parodies or pastiches of Nash's verse that Parker has collected from all different sources, from Dorothy Parker to Scott Fitzgerald, everyone wanted a piece of the man.

To top it all off, Dorothy Lamour got upset with Nash and laid into him with both barrels, when he wrote a poem for her to read on the air that contained the word "conundrum."She thought it risque, perhaps confusing it with "condom," and refused to save her reputation.Furious, she lashed out, "If you don't think I know what that word means--and that I'll be fool enough to say it on the air--you're crazy!I wasn't born yesterday!"Nash wrote to Frances, "she's very pleasant but as dumb as you would imagine."(Not as bad as his opinion of poor Ginger Rogers: "coarse, painted, dyed.")

We Should Remember Nash
When I think of Ogden Nash, I think first of a poem I read in school a long time ago titled "The Purist." I have read it too many times to actually laugh out loud again, but I still smile when I read it. I become the kid I once was somehow, happy to hear the joke over and over again.

I think Ogden Nash brings back memories for many older Americans. When I was reading the new biography Ogden Nash: The Life and Work of America's Laureate of Light Verse by Douglas M. Parker, while eating a sweet roll in Panera last week, an older man noticed. As he passed my table he said, "Ah, Ogden Nash, he was a wonderful man." I noticed the older man, who looked like a retired executive, having a look of competence and industry, was cleaning tables. Was he laid off by a corporation, replaced by someone young? Was he working at Panera because he was unable to find a management job in the new economy, which disvalues the older, experienced worker? Is Nash for him a link to a happier time, his time?

Nash has often been a bright spot in a dark time. He became popular for his humorous poetry during the Great Depression when his works began to appear regularly in The New Yorker, Saturday Evening Post, and other magazines. Because he was never paid much for his poems, he had to write and sell a lot of them, which he continued to do into the 1960s, when changing tastes made his work harder to sell. By the time of his death in 1971, he had published over a thousand poems.

Nash did not only write poetry. He tried his hand as a book editor, magazine editor, screen writer, playwright, lyricist, and game show panelist. He was valued as an editor at Doubleday and other publishers, but the pay was poor and he left the profession to write fulltime. His efforts in Hollywood and on Broadway always started with lots of promise but usually fizzled. Radio and television appearances eventually paid fairly well, but poetry was his steady income.

Being a writer, he often worked from home. Unlike many men of his era, he seems to have spent much time with his two daughters. On several occasions, he was the primary parent as his wife took long European vacations. It may not have been difficult to do, as the family always had servants. His wife had her own money inherited from her "old family" Baltimore ancestors. She and Nash were always able to live the country club and martini life.

I think readers will enjoy learning how involved Nash was in the literary scene of the 1920s and 1930s. He knew Dorothy Parker, F. Scott Fitzgerald, E. B. White, and many others. Douglas M. Parker also tells much about mid-twentieth century world of publishing. Fans of The New Yorker will especially want to read this book.

Some will enjoy the book for their own memories. There are many Nash verses scattered throughout the text.

Read "The Purist." The punch line ends with a word that rhymes with "smile."

Parker paints Nash in a fashion not smashin'
The philosopher poet, Ogden Nash,
Though born and wed to privilege,
was throughout his lifetime frightfully far from bogged in cash
(Or at least he so lamented).
Doug Parker says,
while assuring us his penury never quite prevented
Nash from keeping house or houses
Servant-staffed while traveling
in luxury with wife and kids and friends with kids and spouses.
Though his efforts yielded flops
In Hollywood and Broadway ventures,
rhymes he wrote for glossies and anthologies and his hops
Around the lecture circuit
(Which, though ruinous
To his fragile health, he never would quite shirk it)
Kept his ledger black enough.
Indeed, couplets comparing
the speed of bonbons versus bourbon and similar wacky stuff
(Like rhymes that ridiculed
A bluenosed "Ut" named Smoot
whose Senate stint by tariff acts and smiting smut was fueled)
Consistently kept Mr. Nash `n'
Fran `n' Lin `n' Isabel
(his wife and daughters) living in quite comfy fashion.
Nash's life was not a bore,
But Parker's grand obsession
With minutia made me often want to holler "Less is more!"
And, moreover, many others'
In the story, though tangential,
Had lives of greater interest were I to voice my `druthers.

:-)
- stanwhjr -

This Book is a Real Treat
Many of us probably recognize Ogden Nash as the creator of humorous poetry, but he was a man of far greater accomplishments than might be generally known.In this biography, Doug Parker gives a very complete and fascinating overview of Nash and the diversity of his works, which included movie scripts and--much to my surprise--song lyrics. Parker relates his story in manageable sequences, interspersing just enough famous lines from Nash to lure the reader into wanting to read more of the man's work.One would think that Parker knew Nash personally because of the skillful manner in which he discreetly discusses the poet's health problems, his devotion to his family, his dislike of confrontation, and the entire span of his creative life.

It took an impressive amount of research to create this interesting account of Nash's life, and Parker made much use of Nash's personal letters.He does not overwhelm the reader with excessive detail, rather, he leaves the reader feeling like one who has enjoyed a great meal but has not overeaten, and who knows he can come back for seconds by reading more of Nash's work.This is an enjoyable and informative book that gives the reader a real appreciation for the talents of Ogden Nash.

Terrific biograpy
Mr. Parker has written a terrific biography of a fasinating man.The book is meticulously researched and beautifully written.I was very impressed with this scholarly work and I am anxious to read Mr. Parker's next endeavor. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Nash-ional best seller
At the risk of seeming rash
I recommend this book by Nash.
I haven't found a rhyme for Ogden,
Although I came close once when fogged-in.

By the way this book is NOT by Etienne Delessert, as listed above, although he is the illustrious illustrator.

Nash-itize!
Ogden Nash is my favorite poet, and I probably like his poems on different animals the most. They're quicker. Quick poems are prefferred by me, because they don't take too long to read and I can sit and think about them, and even feel like reading them again. Here's one, and I didn't write it, Ogden Nash did:

The ant has made himself illustrious
Through constant industry industrious
So what?
Would you be calm and placid
If you were full of formic acid?

My favorite bedtime read to my daughters.
I look forward to these verses again and again.Unlike most bedtime stories, you can set the length of reading time to your situation.the humor stimulates your imagination and makes you want to add verses.Justlots of fun!

DELIGHTFUL!
A collection of animal poems, for anyone who thinks animals are funny! ... Read more

Book Description
The ultimate collection of verses by America's best-loved humorous author, culled from collections put together by Nash himself. Features Nash's unique rhymes, puns, and observations about everything under the sun. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Dangerous Little Ditties
If you like this book, and the sweetly subversive worlds of George Booth, Ogden Nash or Shel Silverstein, then you should pick up Nick Bantock's (of Gryphon & Sabine fame), "Averse to Beasts," a book with cassette whose dangerous little ditties rival Nash's in their hilarity with a dose of arsenic.

Terse Verse
Don't trash
Ogden Nash.
His words
ain't turds
His swirls
Are pearls.

Lacks indices of titles or first lines.
This book seems to contain all of Ogden Nash's best verses. But good luck finding them: there is no index of titles or first lines. With so many verses, many of them titled counter-intuitively, you will only find the verse you seek by sheer luck, if at all.

Great work, poor copy editing
This is a completely enjoyable collection that keeps me smiling as I read.Unfortunately, it seems the proof reader relied on a computer's spell-checker program.It let him down.

The spelling errors surprised me.I guess I may have spotted an error or two in other books, but I seem to keep stumbling on them in this book.They're distracting and it seems almost sinful to have let them appear in this wonderful collection.

Mr. Nash's insight, humor and unique form are well represented here in the 650 rhymes, verses, lyrics and poems.They are grouped by general subject matter.Thumb through the contents and see what you're in the mood for.Nash will make you smile or even laugh out loud.

More clever than brilliant, but clever is good.
Ogden Nash should probably be considered more of a humorist than a poet. After all, he makes up words and sometimes totally disregards any sense of meter. Maybe "rhyming humorist" would be most accurate (even though there is some real poetry here, too). In my opinion, his strongest poems are his shortest. I particularly enjoy his poems about animals. Some of his humor seems a little dated and, unlike a previous reviewer, I found little here that, for me, was laugh-out-loud funny. One of my favorite poems in the book is actually a serious poem, "A Carol for Children". But, hey, if you want serious poetry, get some Emily Dickinson. Ogden Nash is good if you need a lighthearted chuckle. ... Read more

Book Description

Here, in one volume, are the most popular poems of one of the most popular poets of the twentieth century -- perhaps of the last twenty centuries. Delightfully nonsensical, they in fact make the best of sense, accomplishing what only real poetry can -- allowing the reader to discover what he didn't know he already knew or felt. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Clever, light-hearted poetry
I don't really enjoy reading poetry, and I don't suggest reading volumes of poetry at a time.I do, however, suggest reading this book of OgdenNash, reading the poems individually instead of as a collection.Some mayfind his verse stupid, some simple, but I find it charming.

A Genius of Comic Poetry
Often unheard of poet, Ogden Nash, serves as a reminder that poetry itself does not need to be mushy, polite or romantic. Or for that matter psychological, philisophical or religious. Nash's poetry, written from theearly 20's to the late 50's is remark on the social niceties. A critique ofthe love-hate relationship of men and women. A funny peek into the lives ofanimals. And silly stories for the sake of being silly. The uniqueness inNash's work is not the poetry itself, but his play with words. Its clear hedoes not take language seriously at all which allows him to mix andmaneuver words to create new ones that will create a genuine laugh. Suchas: "Well Ihave learned that lifeis something about which youcan't conclude anything except that it is full of vicissitudes. And whenyou expect logic you only come across eccentricitudes." The otheraspect of Nash's writing is his outlaw verse where, although things rhyme,the rythm is thown askew.

"I know that a year has rolled aroundonce more

When I find myself thumbing a crisp new cigarette lighter justlike the coven of other cigarette lighters strewn on a shelf in the garagealong with the broken tire chains and the license plates for 1934."

Nash's work was surely ahead of its time and I am dleighted to have comeacross such remarkable work. I highly reccomend this, not just to poetrylovers, but also to those that appreciate language and humor.

Ogden Nash great book
This was an excellent book if u are in the dumps and want to laugh, I sure did, it pulled me out of my 12 year depression, after i read this book i decided to go after my life long dream of becoming... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Cute story
My 4yo son enjoyed this story and the role reversal between the usually fierce dragon and the good-hearted night is a refreshing twist, although my son doesn't really get the irony of the other animals teasing poor Custard because he is cowardly and then making excuses themselves for not going to save the little girl. . . . he just sees it as the animals being mean with no consequence.A little hard to explain, but an entertaining story overall.

Loved long ago, passing to new generation
We grew up 45 years ago with this being the most loved book at my grandmother's house.We could not wait to have it read to us.Now I am the Grandma, and I am purchasing this for my grandchildren so that they too can live in the dream world of custard.

Custard the Dragon
Quickly became a favorite of my grandson (5) and granddaughter (4).The illustrations are brilliant, and Ogden Nash's verse is clever and memorable.

WHO WOULD NOT WANT A TRULIO PET DRAGON
MY SON LOVES BOTH OF OGDEN NASHES BOOKS..........
AND THEY ARE FUN TO READ!
SOMEWHAT CAT IN THE HATTISH-

Get this and continue the Custard adventure
Another great book about Custard the Dragon!Have just as much fun with this book - My son loved this one! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Texas Reader
This book is typical Ogden Nash.Great light-hearted poetry, but with a message (usually).Especially if you're from New England, you'll enjoy the references to New York City. You should know, however, that this book was later published under the title "Candy is Dandy."Don't do what I did, and order both, thinking the content would be different.

Buy Mr. Nash {Ogden That is}
I have been reading this man since I was eight yrs. old. Everything he writes flows from his pen to tongue in cheek. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Do you remember brave Belinda and her "realio, trulio, little pet dragon"? This Ogden Nash classic has been a favorite of children for more than 60 years and until recently was unavailable in a picture-book version. Artist Lynn Munsinger has rejuvenated the poem with her chuckle-inducing illustrations of no-nonsense Belinda and the cowardly green and purple dragon Custard. Belinda was a brave role model for young girls back when females weren't encouraged to stand up for themselves, and Custard's hidden reserve of strength has no doubt inspired children for several generations. Hooked on Custard? The next adventure unfolds in Custard the Dragon and the Wicked Knight, which followed this popular picture book. (Ages 3 to 8) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

The Tale of Custard the Dragon
I purchased this book as a holiday gift for "tween" members of the family.
At this time, no feedback has come from the kids, so all I can say about it is that the book was accurately described and shipped promptly.

Just because you *say* you're brave (or not)
Spoiler alert:So many apparently gullible readers have reviewed this poem, that I'm going to tell you the entire plot.If you want to be surprised, then just move on to the next review.

(1)Belinda and three other pets *say* that they're very brave.Custard the Dragon *says* that he'd rather live some place safe.Based on what they *say* about themselves, the four "brave" characters tease the one "cowardly" character.

(2)When a pirate breaks into the house, the four "brave" characters instantly turn tail and run away.Cowardly Custard, however, stands his ground during the attack and ends up eating the pirate.

(3)Once the danger is past, all the so-called brave characters come back and thank Custard.

(4)Ultimately, however -- and this is more like the real world than a fairy tale -- Belinda and the "brave" pets go back to their habit of saying that they're really brave, and Custard goes back to saying that he'd really rather live in a nice safe place.

This poem is an interesting bit of commentary on our own willful blindness to our faults, our narcissistic dependence on erroneous self-talk, and one of our stupider working definitions of bravery.

This book is an excellent opportunity for you to talk to your kids about the difference between what people *say* and how they behave.Who's really the brave character after all?Is it always safe to trust a person's self-description?Is there anything wrong with Custard preferring security to danger?If you were there, would you want to tease Custard, or to tell that self-deceived Belinda to put a sock in it?If you saw someone picking on another person on the playground just because they're different, then should you be ganging up with the Belindas of the world, or sticking up for the Custards?

If you're at all familiar with the parable of the two sons in the vineyard (see Matthew 21:31's "Which of the two did his father's will?" question), then you won't have any trouble figuring out the difference between Belinda's brave words and Custard's brave actions.This poem may be beyond the ken of a two year old, but it shouldn't have been so confusing for so many adult reviewers.Just repeat after me:"Actions speak louder than words," and"Do not believe everything you hear."

great TALE
My son and I read it and laugh and giggle every time !!!

The Tale of Custard theDragon
It is wonderful poem of bravery and adventure for children.

Ending could be better
I enjoy the poetry of Ogden Nash -- he has a fun style, which is well-apparent in this book.The pictures are delightful also.I felt a little let down by the author's ending because I expected the dragon to rise above his fears. However, I used the story as an opportunity to discuss with my child how she thought the story should finish.Together we wrote in a newending line and are happy with the result. It probably turned out better with her getting involved in the story this way. ... Read more

Book Description
A personal history of one of America's most successful writers, whose career included publishing and screenwriting in addition to his beloved poetry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ogden Nash: The Most Underrated Poet
The struggle with my totally unique high school insecurities was confined by my introduction to Ogden Nash's "The Hippopotamus." In the early days of "60 Minutes,"Harry Reasoner and Andy Rooney compiled a presentation entitled, "An Essay on Ugly."Their work provided a profound (but light) insight into the feelings of physical inferiority. At the end, they appropriately encapsulated their presentation with"The Hippopotamus." Their 10-minute offering had a surprisingly strong influence for years to come.For example, I never understood poetry in my high school literature classes until "The Hippopotamus" induced me to read other of Nash's work.My interest in Nash's writing prompted me to appreciate poetry in general.I would have never survived reading T.S. Elliot's "The Wasteland" without the influence of Nash. As a result (and 30 years later), I was excited to learn about David Stuart's THE LIFE AND RHYMES OF OGDEN NASH.

Anyone who has ever smiled after reading a Nash poem will enjoy Stuart's offering.Stuart has a vivid writing style that might be considered overly sophisticated for a Nash biography.Upon reading the first 10 pages, I thought the book was appalling shabby. I soon realized the problem was not Stuart's writing, but Nash's early life.His early life was uneventful (understatement)!Nash's life becomes more interesting during his persistent courtship with his beloved Frances. Stuart offers an unflattering portrayal of Frances.With his lifestyle, the reader will wonder how Ogden was able to remain devoutly faithful to her. He was.Frances wasn't a "witch," but might have been a word that rhymes with it.Frances' personality and influence on Ogden will remain undocumented. I get the impression that she is still alive, but was not interviewed as part of Stuart's research.In addition, Mrs. Nash requested that the Curtis Brown collection be unavailable to Stuart. Perhaps all of Ogden's dirt is housed with Curtis Brown collection?

Readers under the age of 30 might find sections of this biography difficult to follow.Today's generation of poets use a word processor. I doubt that Ogden ever saw one.Yet, the word processor has had a profound effect on the composition of poetry. I wish Stuart would have addressed or described Nash's writing process. Nash didn't have a database to seek out rhymes as today's writers.In addition, younger readers will have difficulty in understanding poetry payments and cost of living during and after the Great Depression. A footnote about the value of the dollar during Nash's life would have been most helpful.

David Stuart's THE LIFE AND RHYMES OF OGDEN NASH is a wonderful contribution. Anyone who likes Nash's work will thoroughly enjoy this volume. ... Read more