Wit's End: What Wit Is, How It Works, and Why We Need It

James Geary explores the role of wit in innovation, creativity, and various fields, demonstrating that it is visual, verbal, physical, and intellectual. He adopts a different style for each chapter in Wits End, showcasing that brevity is the soul of wit.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 11 December 2018
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

James Geary delves into the multifaceted realm of wit, exploring its profound impact on innovation and its ability to encapsulate the very essence of creativity. Geary argues that wit transcends mere verbal or visual expression, encompassing both physical and intellectual dimensions. He highlights the diverse forms of wit, such as the spontaneous brilliance of scientists, the ingenious inventiveness of inventors, the artistic prowess of artists, and the metaphysical wisdom of philosophers.

In his book, Wits End, Geary embraces wit in a multitude of forms by adopting distinct styles for each chapter. He writes the section on verbal repartee as a dramatic dialogue, the neuroscience of wit as a scientific paper, the spirituality of wit as a sermon, and other chapters in jive, rap, and the heroic couplets of Alexander Pope. By demonstrating that brevity truly is the soul of wit, Geary crafts each chapter into concise sections ranging from 200 to 800 words.

Wits End is an entertaining and enlightening exploration that goes beyond mere humor, revealing the profound significance of wit in various aspects of life. It serves as a testament to the power of wit to inspire, provoke, and transform our understanding of the world.

Weight: 352g
Dimension: 150 x 217 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780393254945