This beautifully illustrated volume brings together the finest works of Ring Lardner, one of America’s most distinctive literary voices of the early 20th century. Known for his sharp wit, ear for dialogue, and keen sense of irony, Lardner masterfully captured the quirks of American life through sports, relationships, and social satire. The collection features You Know Me, Al, a groundbreaking series of fictional letters from a naive baseball player that brilliantly parody fame, ambition, a...

Throughout the long centuries of human history is the want, and the need, to share information, to exchange ideas and for that knowledge and experience, for curiosity and learning, to be the basis of a civil society.In literature the ambition is much narrower. In order to be known, to be popular, you had to be published. And for that people had to know you existed and your ideas worth reading. Obviously for most of humanity’s time people couldn’t read and texts couldn’t be publishe...

First published in 1929, public domain. Lardner, American humorist and short-story writer, is known for his mordant wit, exemplified in satirical stories and sketches of American life in the early 20th century told in the language of athletes, stockbrokers, secretaries, chorus girls, etc. This is a compilation of almost all of his best stories.

Throughout the long centuries of human history is the want, and the need, to share information, to exchange ideas and for that knowledge and experience, for curiosity and learning, to be the basis of a civil society.In literature the ambition is much narrower. In order to be known, to be popular, you had to be published. And for that people had to know you existed and your ideas worth reading. Obviously for most of humanity’s time people couldn’t read and texts couldn’t be publishe...

This classic novel is the story of what happens when an idealistic, fiercely honest young man tries to reconcile Roman Catholic dogma with the realities of America of the 1940s. In this brilliantly comic and pungent tale, Lardner dissects the thought control of the McCarthy era, business ethics, racial intolerance, repressive sexual attitudes, the Manhattan nightclub set, "enlightened" penology, vigilantism, and other social phenomena. The ecstasy which Owen Muir seeks is of both the earth...

Ring Lardner has been one of America's most popular short story writers for nearly a century and here is his guide for any budding writers. This classic work was originally published in 1924 and is now being republished here with a brand new introductory biography of the author.

Of all sports, boxing has been the writers' favorite. Maybe it's because of his need for persistence and resilience, perhaps for the narratives of victory and defeat, perhaps even for the relatable solitude of the boxer who faces his challenge in the ring; boxing has inspired large pieces of fiction that enchanted generations. Through the eyes of consecrated authors you will meet the passionate world of boxing, in this seven short stories selected by Augst Nemo: A Piece of Steak by Jack Lo...

Ring Lardner was one of the most prolific humorists of the early 20th century. While he was most famous for the frequent appearances of his short fiction in numerous popular magazines of the era, he was also a prolific writer of poetry. His daily column for the Chicago Tribune entitled "In the Wake of the News" was generally a sports news column, but oftentimes served as a platform to publish his poetry. Many of his more sentimental poems from this column—the ones written about his childre...

In 1917, Ring Lardner was sent on assignment as a war correspondent on the French front for a series of reports for Collier's magazine. Appearing in serialized format in the magazine before its eventual publication as a book, My Four Weeks in France recalls Lardner's experiences in his new wartime role. Being a humorist and a satirist, it would have been inconsistent with his typical format to write harrowing stories about the horrors of combat. For this reason, this book instead consists ...

The arrogant, proud, and mostly illiterate Jack Keefe of Bedford, Indiana had already established a career pitching for the minor league baseball club in Terre Haute. His strong pitching arm attracted the attention of Chicago White Sox owner Charles Comiskey and before he knew it, Keefe had been signed to play for the team. Through the ups and downs of his life, from his baseball career, to his marriage and family, to his service in World War I and his eventual return to baseball, Jack Kee...

Published in The Saturday Evening Post between 1916 and 1917, the stories that make up Gullible's Travels follow the comical misadventures of a long-suffering husband and his aspiring socialite wife. The unnamed protagonists and their hapless attempts to climb the social ladder serve as a canvas for Ring Lardner to satirize marriage, social dynamics, and the newly emerging middle class of the late 1910s. In 1917, the first five stories about the unnamed narrator and his "Missus" were compi...

"The Real Dope" by Ring Lardner is a captivating exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the often humorous intricacies of life. Lardner's sharp wit and keen observations shine through as he delves into the world of sports and the people surrounding it. The narrative is rich with dialogue that captures the essence of the characters, making it a delightful read for those who appreciate clever storytelling and the nuances of everyday life. Lardner's unique voice and style ...