Thurber's Dogs

REDISCOVER THIS BELOVED COLLECTION of James Thurber's best tales and drawings about dogs and their men, women, and children in 24 stories, profiles, and essays.

“Only a few books have stayed with me through all the moves and upheavals of adult life, but Thurber’s Dogs is one of them, and it will stay with me to the end.”—Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post

“The dog has got more fun out of Man than Man has got out of the dog, for the clearly demonstrable reason that Man is the more laughable of the two animals,” writes James Thurber in the introduction to this collection of his best writings and drawings about the unpredictable and often inexplicable relationships between dogs and their men, women, and children. In two dozen stories and essays and six sequences of drawings, he honors the dogs, real and imaginary, that have populated his life and work. Included in Thurber’s Dogs:

• Thurber’s first published story features Josephine, the bull terrier that didn’t seem to live up to a couple’s expectations—until they regretted giving her away and resorted to extreme measures to get her back.

• “The Dog That Bit People” remembers Muggs the Airedale, a dog that gave Thurber “more trouble than all the other fifty-four or -five put together” yet somehow found an impeccable ally in Thurber’s mother.

• Several pieces recall the Scottish terrier Jeannie, another troublemaker, who delighted in wandering off and implanting herself in the homes, parties, and picnics of other families.

• Rex, the noble pit bull from Thurber’s childhood, developed the perplexing habit of bringing home large pieces of furniture and the gates from the gardens of neighbors’ yards.

• Blaze, an English mastiff, received preferential treatment on a military plane—and the resulting scandal dominated headlines and hilariously plunged Franklin Roosevelt’s administration into crisis mode.

• Among the selections available only in this volume are essays defending the reputations of poodles and bloodhounds, two breeds Thurber believed were largely misunderstood and underappreciated.

This iconic collection of Thurber’s funniest and most delightful dog cartoons and writings is a must have for dog lovers.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs