'An Epidemic of Epigrams or an Avalanche of Aphorisms' is Released

Award-winning author Daniel L. Wick's new book, "An Epidemic of Epigrams or an Avalanche of Aphorisms," includes 150 of the epigrams he's been creating for more than thirty years - an easy-reading collection that makes a great coffee table book.

Epigrams and aphorisms are both original thoughts that are usually concise and memorable, Wick says. So, how does this coffee table book make a distinction?

"Epigrams are aphorisms and vice versa: brief, usually witty, occasionally profound observations on life, love, death, philosophy, religion and virtually everything else," he says. "The only distinction between the two that I have managed to uncover is that aphorisms are somewhat more pretentious epigrams."

Each page of "An Epidemic of Epigrams or an Avalanche of Aphorisms" features a single epigram - the term Wick prefers because that's what one of his heroes, Oscar Wilde, called them. The format is meant to emphasize the impact of each epigram, which can be a single declarative sentence or up to two sentences, he says.

The following are just a few examples of humorous, witty and sarcastic truths:

"We are as good as we are compelled to be and never as bad as we would like."
"Atheists and dyslexics agree: they have no god in this fight."
"As babies know, all good things come to those who wail."

Dr. Wick introduces his epigrams with a brief history of the tradition, featuring quotes from Shakespeare, George Carlin, G.K. Chesterton, Voltaire and more.

"A compilation of laconic, pithy sayings meant partly to guide daily life and partly as a tribute to the rich tradition of literary aphorisms," Kirkus Reviews writes. "In an era of 140-character tweets, Wick revisits Twitter's intellectual predecessor-the epigram, and its close sibling, the aphorism-in a series of sometimes surprising, often thought-provoking, but always brief satirical statements and philosophies for everyday living."

Amazon reviewer Marina Estabrook, who gave the coffee table book five stars writes:

"Dr. Wick has written yet another gem of a book filled with humor, wisdom, and sheer cleverness. This time, however, his use of words is economic ... For sure, each epigram is to be enjoyed for its own sake. I followed the author's suggestion and read them randomly, a few at a time. The experience was wonderful, not unlike reading New Yorker cartoons. Some you get right away, others you have to ponder over."

About Daniel L. Wick

Daniel L. Wick is an international award-winning author of books, articles and plays. He holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of California and has taught at the college level for more than 30 years. He and his wife live in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can find his book at http://www.amazon.com/An-Epidemic-Epigrams-Avalanche-Aphorisms/dp/1484051718.

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