It may have been quite a while ago now, but perhaps it was finally time to have a look at the previous year. One hundred percent topical it may not have been, but as a summation of the year it covers all the major stories, stirring memories and, of course, so much of it is still pertinent. I am referring to the The Private Eye Annual 2010. A Christmas present it may have been, but a stocking filler it most certainly is not.
Packed full of stories, parodies, cartoons, letters, captions, all packing a punch, it sets the benchmark on satire and the fact that it's still going strong after however many years (started in 1961 according to Wikipedia – must be true then) tells you all you need to know. The ongoing jokes, the style, the fantastic columns, the fact that nothing and noone is sacred, provided they've done something deserving of being satirised. It all works very nicely indeed and would, I suppose, be regularly cited as a pillar of British life. It sums up the ability to send up ourselves and not take everything too seriously – the classic British sense of humour.
From the volcano, new technology, the disaster that was the World Cup, and the small matter of the general election and the coalition government, it comments on everything and puts an entertaining spin on it. Along with his position on Have I Got News For You, Ian Hislop's position as Editor of the magazine surely makes him one of the cleverest, sharpest, funniest men in the country, yet he still probably doesn't get the recognition he deserves. He plays a valuable role (even if it does mean he's the most sued man in English legal history) in the country and our perception of ourselves. Long may Private Eye continue to puncture egos, show up ridiculous and bad behaviour and deftly skewer those in need of it. It's not going anywhere soon, or I'm a gnome.
Book number: 38
Title: The Private Eye Annual 2011
Author: Ian Hislop (ed.)
Category: Chris' choice
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