How to Talk Jewish
by Jackie Mason, Ira Berkow

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Book Reviews of How to Talk Jewish

Book Review: Lexicography that is witty and wise
Summary: 5 Stars

This little book contains a wealth of Masonisms. Jackie Mason used to have run-ins with censors and others. He reserves the right to be both self-deprecating and insulting. Jews, gentiles, politics, marriage, family, ethnicity, money, power, and God himself - all are up for grabs. There are a lot of funny stories. In addition, he has an understanding of the Yiddish language that he is happy to share. (Harry Truman was haimish - accessible, natural - FDR was not. Colorful explanation is provided.) He offers a theory of chicken soup that links it -successfully - to most of the world's cuisines. He is never dull. Mason: "It seems that in English that you have to prove that you're not emotional in order to have class." He posits his sociolinguistic theory (which you've heard if you've seen or heard his stage show) that the more emotional the speech - content and structure - the more "low class" the speaker. He defends emotionality. He loves Yiddish, and in fact the language (black English, specifically) of any people engaged in a battle of wits to survive.

A funny and endearing book.

Summary of How to Talk Jewish

Arts & Literature Books

• Books > Subjects > Biographies & Memoirs
• Ethnic & National > Jewish
• Humor & Entertainment > Humor
• Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Yiddish
• Foreign Languages > Instruction > Yiddish