In this faithful and fascinating chronicle, Ogden Nash's triumphs and disappointments on Broadway and in Hollywood; his battles with writer's block and the bottle; his disparate careers as poet, lyricist, editor, film writer, radio and television personality, courtly lover, and resident “Jesus” for Harold Ross of The New Yorker, are all revealed. Nash was a man without enemies; Douglas M. Parker's captivating biography should win him legions of new friends.

X. J. Kennedy

Douglas Parker's superb biography of Ogden Nash is the book I would rather find in a hotel drawer than the Gideon Bible. Ironically, upon reading a Nash verse, I am invariably tempted to break the Commandment: thou shalt not steal.

Mark Russell, political satirist

Now that humor has finally been released from the doghouse called 'light verse' and has reclaimed its rightful place in poetry, how well-timed is Douglas Parker's examination of the life and work of Ogden Nash, who refused to hide his joyful wit behind the long, serious mask donned by the writers of 'heavy verse.'

Billy Collins

Douglas Parker's intelligent, informative, and engaging new biography fills a significant scholarly need in presenting the life and times of this neglected but important American poet.

Dana Gioia

Parker's is a useful, highly readable biography of one of America's best-loved poets.

Publishers Weekly

Well-researched.

Bloomberg