Book excerpt: George Horatio Derby, also known as John Phoenix and as Squibob, is the Father of American Wit. He influenced Mark Twain.Modern comedy owes a debt to John Phoenix (for example Andy Kaufman and Jim Carey).Laugh out loud at his wit;enjoy his humor, as relevant now as it was 160 years ago.Discover for your self this master of the use of the English language.The last book that Abraham Lincoln read was by John Phoenix. Theodore Roosevelt said he could be tested on Phoenix's books. Both men enjoyed his humor.Many of the stories contained in this book have never been published.Several stories were written at Andover in the 1830's. Some were written while Derby was at the Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1846)He was truly a SOLDIER JOKER. Humor dissected ceases to be funny. In these pages, Derby's humor is special and is great fun, and is left to speak for itself without annotation. Your role in reading this book is to enjoy.