
A lively, tongue‑in‑cheek portrait of early‑20th‑century America, this book follows the bantering partnership of Abe Potash and Morris Perlmutter as they navigate a world of business jargon, wartime rumors, and everyday absurdities. Their office conversations drift from the quirks of language to the baffling fortunes of distant czars, all peppered with sharp observations about politics, insurance, and the peculiar habits of their era.
Illustrated with period‑appropriate drawings, the narrative captures the restless energy of a nation on the brink of change. Through witty dialogue and colorful characters—ranging from skeptical jurors to melodramatic sopranos—the story offers a comedic lens on the anxieties that keep people up at night. It’s a snapshot of a time when a single remark could ripple through boardrooms and back alleys alike, reminding listeners that sometimes the best way to face uncertainty is with a laugh.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (299K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Suzanne Shell, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2010-08-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1877–1934
Best known for turning the fast-talking world of New York’s garment trade into warm, witty fiction, this American humorist created the hugely popular Potash and Perlmutter stories. His work captured immigrant life and business banter with affection rather than cruelty, which helped make him a favorite with early 20th-century readers.
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