Idle Ideas in 1905

If you enjoy the dry irony and cozy, observational humor of Three Men in a Boat, Idle Ideas in 1905 is an absolute must-have addition to your classic literature collection. Returning to the signature conversational format that made him a global sensation, Jerome K. Jerome trains his satirical eye on the rigid norms, bizarre trends, and daily anxieties of the early 20th century.

Rather than a continuous narrative, the book is structured as a series of wonderfully witty answers to the era's most pressing and absurd questions.

• Jerome hilariously tackles the perils of athletic obsession in "Should Married Men Play Golf?".
• Mounts a passionate, laugh-out-loud defense of sleeping in late in "Do We Lie A-Bed Too Late?".
• He pushes etiquette to its absolute limits in "Should Soldiers be Polite?".
• Delivers an amusing lesson in reverse psychology with "Should Women be Beautiful?".

From mocking the vanities of high society to opening up about his own comical insecurities when meeting adoring fans in public, Jerome transforms the specific quirks of 1905 into a mirror for universal human folly.

Idle Ideas in 1905 showcases a master humorist operating at the peak of his essayistic powers. It is a profoundly comforting and bite-sized collection that proves that no matter how much time passes, humans will always be wonderfully ridiculous.