The Illiterate Digest

Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)

In "The Illiterate Digest," the renowned humorist Will Rogers makes his characteristically gentle but insightful commentary on American culture, society, daily life, and, last but not least, politics. As a collection of social commentaries from the early 20th century America, it touches upon the political issues of the time, such as the prohibition and the oil lease scandal, as well as more day-to-day topics, such as corsets and restaurant etiquette. Regardless of whether he is poking fun at politicians or questioning unnecessary formalities, his genuine sense of care and self-deprecating attitude come through in this collection.
(Summary by S. Emily Lee)

Genre(s): Humor

Language: English

Keyword(s): american wit and humor (2)

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Two Letters and a Dedication S. Emily Lee
00:06:59
Play 02 Introduction S. Emily Lee
00:09:08
Play 03 Breaking Into the Writing Game S. Emily Lee
00:09:08
Play 04 Settling the Corset Problem of This Country S. Emily Lee
00:05:48
Play 05 How to Tell a Butler, And Other Etiquette S. Emily Lee
00:08:07
Play 06 Defending My Soup Plate Position S. Emily Lee
00:10:35
Play 07 Helping the Girls With Their Income Taxes S. Emily Lee
00:07:04
Play 08 The Greatest Document in American Literature S. Emily Lee
00:09:26
Play 09 Prospectus for “The Remodeled Chewing Gum Corporation” S. Emily Lee
00:10:39
Play 10 Inside Stuff on the Total Eclipse S. Emily Lee
00:10:02
Play 11 It’s Time Somebody Said a Word for California S. Emily Lee
00:08:38
Play 12 Promoting the Oceanless One-Piece Suit S. Emily Lee
00:07:43
Play 13 Warning to Jokers: Lay Off the Prince S. Emily Lee
00:08:57
Play 14 Spring Is Here, With Poems and Bath Tubs S. Emily Lee
00:08:25
Play 15 My Ford and Other Political Self-Starters S. Emily Lee
00:06:26
Play 16 Wilson Could Laugh at a Joke on Himself S. Emily Lee
00:10:32
Play 17 A Job With the James Family S. Emily Lee
00:09:06
Play 18 Let’s Treat Our Presidents Like Human Beings S. Emily Lee
00:10:00
Play 19 What With Fruit Juice and Consomme, It Was a Wild Party S. Emily Lee
00:08:31
Play 20 What We Need Is More Fred Stones S. Emily Lee
00:11:53
Play 21 One Oil Lawyer Per Barrel S. Emily Lee
00:07:55
Play 22 Another Confession in the Oil Scandal S. Emily Lee
00:08:16
Play 23 The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth S. Emily Lee
00:07:55
Play 24 Well, Who Is Prunes? S. Emily Lee
00:09:03
Play 25 Politics Getting Ready to Jell S. Emily Lee
00:06:28
Play 26 Two Long-Lost Friends Found at Last S. Emily Lee
00:08:39
Play 27 They Nominated Everybody But The Four Horsemen S. Emily Lee
00:07:03
Play 28 In the Midst of a 7-Year Hitch S. Emily Lee
00:07:32
Play 29 “Will Rogers, Jr.” Reports the Convention For His Father, Worn Out By Long Service S. Emily Lee
00:06:18
Play 30 Roping a Critic S. Emily Lee
00:06:53
Play 31 “The World Tomorrow,” After the Manner of Great Journalists S. Emily Lee
00:09:04
Play 32 Settling the Affairs of the World in My Own Way S. Emily Lee
00:07:19
Play 33 A Skinny Dakota Kid Who Made Good S. Emily Lee
00:10:15
Play 34 Taking the Cure, By the Shores of Cat Creek S. Emily Lee
00:08:25