Behind the Beyond and Other Contributions to Human Knowledge

by Stephen Leacock

1913. Leacock, a Canadian humorist and economist, published a number of serious works in his field as well as in history and biography, but is best known for his collections of satirical essays and short stories. Behind the Beyond; Familiar Incidents-With the Photographer; The Dentist and the Gas; My Lost Opportunities; My Unknown Friend; and Under the Barber's Knife. Parisian The Advantages of a Polite Education; The Joys of Philanthropy; The Simple Life in Paris; A Visit to Versailles; and Paris at Night. The Retroactive Existence of Mr. Juggins; Making a Magazine; and Homer and Humbug. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.

Genres: Humor, Short Stories

Paperback

First published January 1, 1913

About the author

Stephen P. H. Butler Leacock, FRSC, was a Canadian teacher, political scientist, writer, and humorist. Between the years 1915 and 1925, he was the best-known English-speaking humorist in the world. He is known for his light humour along with criticisms of people's follies. The Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour was named in his honour.

Wikipedia article.

Reviews

[Amar Viswanathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lesser books have gotten greater reviews but the measure of a book's quality is not by the stars it receives but by the mirth it delivers to its readers. Stephen Leacock's book or rather contribution to human knowledge shall remain etched in the crests and troughs of mine. Every now and then as I shuffle through my memories I shall always relive this collection with a chuckle if not instantaneous laughter. That being said, the story 'With the photographer' seems relevant even in today's age of the gram. I suspect that human nature was really so predictable to this under rated humorist that he truly saw things Behind the beyond!

[Johan D'Haenen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit is vintage Leacock, meer kan daar niet over gezegd worden. Bijwijlen barstte ik ronduit in schaterlachen uit en doorgaans zat ik te grinniken of had ik een brede glimlach op mijn gezicht. De satirische toon en recht voor z'n raap humor van Stephen Leacock, daar kan je blijven van genieten.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half. Certainly no Nonsense Novels but this Leacock collection is still entertaining (outdated thoughts and ideas aside.) More mirthful chuckles than belly laughs though.