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1Foolish Dictionary

By Charles Wayland Towne

"The Foolish Dictionary" was written by "Gideon Wurdz" (the pen name for Charles Wayland Towne) and was published in 1904. According to the beginning of the book, it is "An exhausting work of reference to un-certain English words, their origin, meaning, legitimate and illegitimate use..." <br /><br />This a a short but amusing dictionary which "redefines" words in some interesting ways. Funny and sometimes bizarre observations are sprinkled throughout. In keeping with LibriVox policy to read, rather than attempt to rewrite, books - even those with offensive content - nothing has been omitted. While many of the definitions may just seem confusing or "corny" to modern readers, there are a couple that also might be considered "objectionable," particularly in section 10, which contains offensive content of a racial nature. <br /> Summary by Maddie

Charles Hanson Towne was a well known editor, author and poet. He was a popular New York celebrity who was considered by many as being the quintessential New Yorker. Besides being the editor at such magazines as Smart Set, Delineator, McClure’s, Designer, and Harper’s Bazaar, Towne also taught poetry at Columbia University. His most notable student was author  J.D. Salinger. At the age of 63, Town joined the company of the Broadway hit, <i>Life with Father</i>, and at 68 wrote his autobiography, <i>So Far, So Good</i>. - Summary by Nemo

3Rise and Fall of Prohibition

By Charles Hanson Towne

Subtitle: "The Human Side of What the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act Have Done to the United States" From Chapter 1: "The strange phenomenon of Prohibition, after an appearance amongst us of over three years, is still non-understandable to the majority of a great, and so-called free, people. It is one of the most astonishing manifestations the world has ever witnessed. It came upon us like a phantom, swiftly; like a thief in the night, taking us by surprise. Yet the Prohibitionists will tell you that no one should be amazed, since for years—for almost a century—quiet forces have been at work to bring about this very thing." - Summary by Charles Hanson Towne