Rod Collins

Trying to decide what is the funniest book ever published could be argued as a futile venture as defining humour is obviously difficult, much rests on personal taste and proclivities, but working on the premise that I know best
I feel I can present you with a fait accompli

The Funniest Book Ever Written is …

Adolf Hitler - My Part in His Downfall by Spike Milligan

The author was a comic genius, a true pioneer of what would be seen today as a new wave of comedy. His work on things like the Goon Show paved the way for the likes of Monty Python and so called alternative comedy.

This works pales into insignificance however when held up against Spike Milligan’s war memoirs.
I really do urge all of you out there to give at least the first book a go.

The book opens thus:

September 3rd, 1939.
The last minutes of peace ticking away. Father and I were watching Mother digging our air-raid shelter.
“She’s a great little woman,” said Father.
“And getting smaller all the time,” I added.
Two minutes later, a man called Chamberlain who did Prime Minister impressions spoke on the wireless; he said,
“As from eleven o’clock we are at war with Germany.”
“War?” said Mother.
“It must have been something we said,” said Father.
The people next door panicked, burnt their post office books and took in the washing.

The book is a delightful mix of irony, sadness, tragedy and a raw humour that can only be found amongst men in extraordinary circumstances. The author treads a perfect line between memoirs and humour.
Here is another extract. He avoided call up for national service for 3 months until finally he was forced to go

It was a proud day for the Milligan family as I was taken from the house.
“I’m too young to go,” I screamed as Military Policemen dragged me from my pram, clutching a dummy.
At Victoria Station the R.T.O. gave me a travel warrant, a white feather and a picture of Hitler marked
“This is your enemy.”
I searched every compartment, but he wasn’t on the train.

There is a style to the writing that is impossible to create. Your mind either thinks like that or it does not.
Unlike so many literary styles it cannot be mimicked.
The book is also sprinkled with Spike Milligan’s own drawings and illustrations done at the time as well as photographs of places and, which is an important touch, some of his fellow protagonists.

I could drone it but have probably bored you enough already but at least you now know the answer to the question :
What is the funniest book ever written ?
Should anyone ever ask you that is - if they do and it’s part of a quiz - don’t forget to split the prize with me !

This is just a quick checklist of the books in the wartime memoirs, it does not include his poetry or children’s books etc.

Spike Milligan Bibliography

This includes just the war memoirs which we strongly recommend

Adolf Hitler - My Part in his Downfall
Rommel ? Gunner Who ?
Monty: - His Part in My Victory
Mussolini - His Part in My Downfall
Where Have All the Bullets Gone ?
Goodbye Soldier
Peace Work

Do give the first book a go you’ll not regret it - trust me
If you have a different opinion or a choice for the most humorous book ever written post a comment and share it with us
All the best
Rod