Product Description
Dive in with America's favorite rhymester, Ogden Nash! This collection of playful, urbane light verse reels in a host of watery creatures--sharks, mermaids, hippos and more--and sends them up with Nash's splashy wordplay and pearls of wit. Nash's 26 irresistible verses are perfectly paired with paintings by award-winning zoological illustrator Katie Lee. ... Read more

Product Description
A remarkable series of audiobooks, featuring distinguished twentieth-century American poets reading from their own work. A first in audiobook publishing--a series that uses the written word to enhance the listening experience--poetry to be read as well as heard. Each audiobook includes rare archival recordings and a book with the text of the poetry, a bibliograohy, and commentary by J. D. McClatchy, the poet and critic, who is the editor of The Yale Review.

"To hear a poem spoken in the voice of the person who wrote it is not only to witness the rising of words off the page and into the air, but to experience an aural reenactment of exactly what the poet must have heard, if only internally, during the act of composition. THE VOICE OF THE POET recordings deliver these pleasures as they broadcast the pitch and timbre of many of the major voices in twentieth-century poetry."--Billy Collins, U.S,. Poet Lauerate. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Wonder of the Wit
This is a great CD for your next road trip. I especially enjoy Dorothy Parker's poem "Men." Her scathing delivery is hilarious. Ogden Nash, with his deliberate and self-indulgent style, may strike a listener as tedious at first. But just listen, and the reason for his easy arrogance unfolds within your mind as his assonance and rhyme build through imagery and punchlines to a certain sublime truth about this life, whoever you are, wherever you are. I've listened to several of these poems over and over. Phyllis McGinley is more stark and political than Ogden and Dorothy, and her delivery far less nuanced. I'm not sure why she was included in this collection; it may have been polished off nicely with a better choice. I can't really blame her, though--who can follow Ogden Nash?

Funny and fascinating
In this new CD-update of the Voice of the Poet series, we get three poets instead of the normal one.Each of these poets could, of course, fill a whole CD.But the selections are balanced (especially since editors were confined to what happened to exist in the archives from which these readings were pulled).I venture to guess there will be at least one poem from each of them that you will find amusing.

I was more familiar with Parker and especially Nash, two legends of the now-dying art of light verse.This was my first experience of McGinley, a more serious writer, who won a Pulitzer Prize for her proto-feminist collection TIMES THREE.She's great too.For those unfamiliar with one or more of these poets the companion book contains capsule biographies by J.D. McClatchey.

For me, hearing the voices of Parker and Nash was a gas.Parker is so austere and while Nash is so wonderfully nasal.My favorite track on the disc is probably his cantankakerous reading of "Tune for an Ill-Tempered Clavichord."

The Voice of the Poet is a great series, at least the three CDs with which I am familiar.If you enjoy hearing poems, as well as reading them-- and especially if you enjoy witty, funny verse-- I heartily recommend AMERICAN WITS. ... Read more

Product Description
Ogden Nash's funny and loving letters to his wife, daughters and relatives which reveal the growth of the artist and the devotion of a passionate family man. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

To touch your heart
While reading, David Stuart's THE LIFE AND RHYMES OF OGDEN NASH, I learned of the out-of-print book by Linell Nash Smith entitled, LOVING LETTERS FROM OGDEN NASH: A FAMILY ALBUM. I immediately found and purchased a copy from the out-of-print section of amazon.com.I am so glad I did.

Stuart offers a very unflattering portrayal of Ogden's wife Frances.She appears like an exploitive, mean-spirited person.After reading Ogden's letters to her, it is obvious that my interpretation of Stuart's biography is grossly inaccurate.Frances Nash is a quiet person who was devoted wife and mother.I suspect that Stuart misinterpreted her shyness as being aloof.As I read Ogden's emotionally intense letters, I can easily see how a shy person would be reluctant to share her inner feelings with the general public.I understand that Frances' letters (her replies) have been destroyed. This is sad. If I could speak to Frances Nash, I'd ask her to read DATA SMOG by David Shenk. She would be assured that the most private place to store her letters is in a public place (i.e., Edgar Allan Poe's "The Purloined Letter").

I love our age of information technology.However, because of it we have lost the art of letter writing. Email is not the same as receiving a letter from the US Post Office. The elegance of Ogden's passion for Frances would have never reached its intensity via email. If you want proof, read EMAIL: A LOVE STORY by Stephanie D. Fletcher.

Nearly 700 letters were written to Frances. This equals one letter every 2 ½ days when Ogden and Frances were apart. Most interestingly, the passion found in Ogden's letters did not waver after they were married.These letters are delightfully charming and heart warming - even for a cynical person.Reading Ogden's letters can help one restore faith in humanity.

Ogden Nash
A popular writer in the '30's this is a compulation of letters to family etc.He has a style and wit that is charming and makes a comfortable read.His devotion to his wife, Frances, and his children is heartwarming and ever present in his letters.It causes you to realize the lost art of letter writing and the ease which now-a-days people communicate.There are also wonderful family photos and mentions of famous people who were his friends during that era. ... Read more

Product Description
The first comprehensive description of the published works of American humorist and poet Ogden Nash (1902-1971), "the master of light verse." The compiler includes descriptions of Nash's books, broadsides and pamphlets--from his earliest publication in 1925, "The Cricket of Carador" (a fantasy for children), to the posthumously published "A Penny Saved Is Impossible" (1981). Also listed are more than 1,250 contributions to books, periodicals and newspapers. In addition to listing interviews, published correspondence, screenplays, and translations, the bibliography also notes significant textual variants in copies of Nash's books. Readers thus see evidence of how Nash revised his work, especially for his British audience. With complete index. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An impressive piece of work
Only a true fan of Ogden Nash or a librarian would purchase OGDEN NASH: A DESCRIPTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY.I am not a librarian; I am a fan. Crandell offers an "Acknowledgement" of two pages and an "Introduction" of five pages. These are the only essays in the entire volume. The rest of the 466 pages is a list. Crandell's book offers the most comprehensive listing of Nash's work. It is an impressive piece of work. In addition, the index is excellent and is probably the first pages a reader seeks.

The book reflects a great deal of tedious work.Crandell must be applauded for his efforts.

Liked it.
Althoug Ogden Nash only whote shorter more comical poems, this book gives insight to the dramatic aspects of his life.Such as his lost love life, and his poor social skills.I highly recommend this book to all who wantto know the truth.

Ogden Nash is a great guy.
Eventhough Mr. Nash hasn't been aclamed as much as he should be, his life story and works are illustrously displayed in George W. Crandell's book. All I could ever want to know about Nash, I know now. A great read. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a collection of humorous poetry in which Nash examines such topics as the question of salad dressing in "The chief has imagination" and the dilemma of dining out in "I'll stay out of your diet if you'll stay out of mine". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

One yummy book of poetry!
It's a shame this book is out of print, because it's truly wonderful.Ogden Nash takes a serious subject--food, of course--and turns it into just another vehicle for his delightful comedy.Many of the poems are brief,but the laughs are not ("Candy/Is dandy/But liquor/Is quicker"). The illustrations by Etienne Delessert just make the poems all the moresavory--these gelatinous watercolors couldn't be a more perfect (orhilarious) accompaniment to Nash.They can best be described as Nashtranslated into visual form.For a tasty literary and visual snackanytime, I always turn to this book.I would advise all lovers of witty,inventive poetry to try to get this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent example of Nash's work
This book covers the wide variety of Ogden's work.Some of the work is timeless.Everyone who has ever interacted with kid's should read 'Children's Party'.Some of the work is an interesting snapshot of the day.Anyone interested in poetry and verse should read this book.

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

Product Description
This grand zoological fantasy has delighted audiences young and old. Read by Dudley Moore, Walter Matthau, Lynn Redgrave, William Shatner and James Earl Jones. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

These Limericks are suitable anywhere.
There are Limericks and there are Limericks.This age old form of poetry has been popular across all social classes;though not all Limericks are suitable in all social classes.Each class ,whether they areLiterary,Clerical,Seniors,Locker Room,Local Bar,Kids ,Students(Divinity or Engineers);imericks abound for every taste.
This ittle tome,of only 63 pages is a small collection of 115 Limericks .Limericks are included from two of the world's most famous Lmerick Writers Ogden Nash and Edward Lear,each who have composed enough Limericks to fill a book;but there are many other Limericks by many others.
The book is also well illustrated with whimiscal drawings by Louis Marak.The only thing that bothered me about this little collection is that Dennis and Marak missed a golden opportunity of composing and including Limericks about one another.It wouldn't be hard;even the rankest of amateur Limerick composers like "Himself" could do it.

There once was a sketcher named Marak
Who rode to his job on hisyak.
He worked and he sketched
And great success he fetched,
Not like his President Barack.

Often to the river went Ivanette
A Prince Charming she wished she had met.
She fished and she fished
And she wished and she wished.
But caught only Limericks in her net.

I warned you!!

The collection has a lot of good Limericks (unlike mine),but the most unusual are those by Charles Barsotti.His Limericks are good,plus he ingeniously uses ways to place them on the page;such as this:

A lovely young maiden named Carol
At Niagra donned swimming apparel.
We heard from the shore,
"Oh,swimming's a bore!"
So she went
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Product Description
Paperback edition of Odgen Nash's humorous poetry Frances Nash, executrix of his estate. Many of the poems first appeared in magazines, and some contain now famous quotes by Nash. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book for kids and adults!
In my opinion, The Cruise of the Aardvark is one of Ogden Nash's best works.While toned down a bit, his sarcastic wit and unique verse is quite entertaining.The book is also educational, as children (and adults) learn some facts about aardvarks they may not have known.The book also has a great moral, teaching that everyone is unique, and while we're different, we are equally made.I reccomend this book for anyone, whether they have kids or not.I don't have kids, but I like to keep a copy on my coffee table for when I have guests.It always gets a good laugh. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This book taught me to love reading
One of my earliest memories of reading includes The Animal Garden. My grandparents had it at their house, and they probably read it to me hundreds of times. They loved all sorts of poetry, and I loved the idea of planting seeds that would grow into pets just like flowers. I still find it to be a great read because of the wonderful verse and the enthralling pictures. I think a nostalgic vision of Abidan Alseed will be with me always.

I wish that Nash's books would come back into print. I think that my children would love him now as much as I did in the '60s! ... Read more