Product Description

A selection of the wit and wisdom of "The Times" letters page from the last years of the 20th Century, from discussions on Murphy's Law (the law governing the dropping of buttered toast) and the best method of making porridge, to the great issues of the day, such as the war in Afghanistan and the Euro debate. This collection doesn't contain the sightings of first cuckoos and maunderings of retired civil servants, but pithy, funny and sometimes startling observations on topics from natural history to politics, and from sport and the arts to crime and punishment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #444096 in Books
• Published on: 2002-12-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Customer Reviews

Bored stiff with ironing

Many years ago when I belonged to a writers group a journalist turned up and told us that the easiest way to get your name in print and maybe even get a fiver was to have letters published.

I went home that day and wrote two letters to women's Magazines. One was funny and the other was semi serious. The semi serious one earnt me £15. It was the first time I had actually earnt money by writing.

Later I went on a course to learn writing for the press. In the little chat at the beginning we all had to say why we were there.

I said my ambition was to get a letter published in the Times.

I hadn't done anything about the ambition but I then studied the letters just to see what I could get published. There is a section on the letters page which is bottom right. It is usually a witty short letter.

I then aimed for that section and I had a very good hit rate. I found the best way ws to comment on something that was in the paper or the news so it had an advantage of topicality.

I was pleased therefor when this book came out a few years ago and included two of my letter one on page 60 and one on page 82.

The second one I discovered years later was the letter of the week in a daily paper published in Bangkok so that is fame indeed.Needless to say I have never received any money from the Times for my letters but I have had the honour.

As I own the copyright I will quote the Bangkok letter of the week

Sir

Your report " Bored stiff with ironing" claimed that women would rather spend the time sleeping ( than iron) while men would rather have sex

I never realised that we had the choice.

Yours optimistically.

Peter wade


I think the short witty letter is the hardest to write and get published . I have to edit it down considerably and still keep the sense.

I am therefore biased about this book but I love the short sharp letter. It beats the verbose pompous letters every day of the week.