Short Synopsis
Part road-trip comedy and part social science experiment, a scientist and a journalist detail their epic quest to discover the secret behind what makes things funny.

Full Synopsis
Dr. Peter McGraw, founder of the Humor Research Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder, teamed up with journalist Joel Warner on a far-reaching search for the secret behind humor. Their journey spanned the globe, from New York to Japan, from Palestine to the Amazon. Meanwhile, the duo conducted their own humor experiments along the way—to wince-worthy, hilarious, and illuminating results.

In their quixotic search, they questioned countless experts, from comedians like Louis C. K. to rat-tickling researchers, and answered pressing (and not-so-pressing) questions such as, "What's the secret to winning the New Yorker cartoon caption contest?"; "Who has the bigger funny bone—men or women, Democrats or Republicans?"; and "Is laughter really the best medicine?" As a final test, McGraw uses everything they learned to attempt stand-up—at the largest comedy festival in the world.

Funny, surprising, and often touching, The Humor Code is a revealing exploration of humor, society, and an unusual friendship.

"It's not often you can say a book about comedy can teach us some serious lessons. This one does-and entertains us in the process." ---Booklist Starred Review

"Engaging, wise, and of course funny, The Humor Code is a wonderful quest to discover who and what makes us laugh. Pete McGraw and Joel Warner are the best of company, and you'll be glad you took this trip with them."---Susan Cain, author of Quiet

"Narrator Peter Berkot provides a strong conversational tone that captures the authors' prose well and keeps listeners' attention as they delve into an exploration of that notoriously elusive concept: humor." ---AudioFile

"Narrator Peter Berkrot uses his deep voice to good effect, with a strong conversational tone and appropriate timing when narrating jokes." ---Library Journal Audio Review

Booklist Review