Rhymes for the irreverent

Consider this book to be like Ogden Nash with a social conscience. In "The Wizard of Oz," Harburg wrote the lyrics to some of the most familiar of American songs, as well as highlighting the lowlights of the Great Depression in "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime." Here, he creates short, pointed jabs at common attitudes and class structures: "No matter how high or great the thrown, what sits on it is the same as your own." Irreverent, puckish, and above all wickedly observant, "Rhymes For the Irrevent" repeatedly and humorously pricks the balloon of pomposity.