Brimming with clever literary miscellany and witty renderings, The Illustrated Christmas Cracker is the perfect stocking stuffer for the connoisseur. For over thirty years, in lieu of Christmas cards, the distinguished historian John Julius Norwich has been sending friends his Christmas Crackerspersonal collections of quirky quotes and literary odds and ends. Every decade, these have been collected into an anthology. Now Quentin Blake has made a selection of his favorite pieces, illustrating them in his own inimitable style. From curious dictionary definitions (Carphology. Delirious fumbling with the bedclothes.) to Benjamin Franklins account of inventing bifocals, this cracker is stuffed with surprising, offbeat, often hilarious gems. Among John Julius Norwichs books is A History of Venice. Quentin Blake, Britains foremost illustrator, was honored as the first Childrens Laureate.