Artsy Fartsy, Cultural History of the Fart is a fascinating and factual overview of the common fart through human culture and history. The cough, sneeze, hiccup, stomach rumble, burp, belch, and other bodily sounds simply cannot compete with the notoriety of the fart. Whether encountered live and in person or through the medium of literature, television, cinema, art, or music it may leave a powerful and lingering memory. The history of the fart in culture and society is a seldom told but remarkable tale. In spite of it being a natural and everyday occurrence, most of human society has considered it to be beyond the bounds of acceptable behavior in the presence of others. The suppression of a normal physiologic necessity, and it being banished from proper society, has made the fart a notorious sensation. Its release has had powerful consequences, from the unexpected triggering of wars that led to the death of thousands of innocents, to the opposite extreme of inducing spasms of laughter with the entertainment of millions. Easy to read and colorfully illustrated, the book can be opened at random to unique entries, or read cover to cover. The knowledge gained will make the reader a fountain of cultural information that will be sure to leave an impression on others. A compendium of euphemisms of how to describe a fart without uttering the forbidden word, as well its translation in foreign languages, is also included. Additional famous quotations of the noted historical and cultural figures are incorporated to balance their reference to the lowly, but all-powerful, fart.
Author Biography:
Joseph B. Weiss, M.D. is Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, at the University of California, San Diego. An autodidact and polymath, he was accepted to university at age fifteen and attended the University of Michigan, University of Detroit, and Wayne State University. Reflecting his broad interests, he had three separate majors in Medieval English Literature, Astrophysics, and Invertebrate Zoology. Following his graduation from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, he completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center in Orange, California. Under the auspices of the World Health Organization and others he has pursued interests in Tropical Medicine and International Medicine with extended stays in Africa, The Middle East, and Latin America. Subsequently completing a clinical and research fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of California, San Diego, he has been active on the clinical faculty for over thirty years. Dr. Weiss is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association, and a Senior Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology. Double board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Dr. Weiss has over thirty years of clinical, administrative, and research experience. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Scripps Clinic Medical Group, Clinical Board of Governors of the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, and Chancellor's Associates of the University of California, San Diego He is the author of more than ten books on health (www.smartaskbooks.com), and has had numerous papers published in prestigious national and international medical journals, as well as in the lay press. Dr. Weiss is also an accomplished humorist and professional speaker member of the National Speakers Association, having given over two thousand presentations nationally and internationally. He has presented at universities, medical schools, hospitals and medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, YPO/WPO, Aspen Institute, Bohemian Grove, Esalen Institute, Renaissance Weekend, International Destination Spas & Resorts (Golden Door, Canyon Ranch, Rancho La Puerta), corporate events, etc. Co-hosting a popular health care radio program on a major network affiliate in Southern California showcased his skills as a communicator. Combining a razor sharp intellect within a compassionate humanist, he is as comfortable with heads of state, celebrities, Nobel laureates, and CEO's as he is with the most menial of laborers and the unemployed. With a winsome and personable disposition, he can easily assume a contrarian viewpoint in order to engage and encourage discussion and exploration. Having experienced more than his fair share of both tragedy and the heights of success, his life view philosophy is well earned, knowledgeable, and insightful. A naturally gifted communicator, teacher, and student, sharing and expanding knowledge are an overarching passion. With a great sense of humor, he shares the deprecating story that he used to consider himself conceited, but with the development of an extraordinary degree of modesty, he is now absolutely perfect. Continuing as an inquisitive life-long student of everything, volunteer philanthropic and community activities, and world travel are just a few of the avocations he enjoyably pursues.
