America’s most beloved wiseass finally tells his life story with all the humor you’d expect from a man who made a career out of making fun of pretty much everything.
How does the son of a Presbyterian minister wind up winning a Pulitzer Prize for writing a wildly inaccurate newspaper column read by millions of people?
In Class Clown, Dave Barry takes us on a hilarious ride, starting with a childhood largely spent throwing rocks for entertainment—there was no internet—and preparing for nuclear war by hiding under a classroom desk. After literally getting elected class clown in high school, he went to college, where, as an English major, he read snippets of great literature when he was not busy playing in a rock band (it was the sixties).
He began his journalism career at a small-town Pennsylvania newspaper where he learned the most important rule of local journalism: never confuse a goose with a duck. His journey then took a detour into the business world, where as a writing consultant he spent years trying, with limited success, to get corporate folks to, for God’s sake, get the point. Somehow from there he wound up as a humor columnist for The Miami Herald, where his boss was a wild man who encouraged him to write about anything that struck him as amusing and to never worry about alienating anyone.
His columns were not popular with everyone: He managed to alienate a vast army of Neil Diamond fans, and the entire state of Indiana. But he also developed a loyal following of readers who alerted him to the threat of exploding toilets, not to mention the fire hazards posed by strawberry pop-tarts and Rollerblade Barbie, which he demonstrated to the nation on the David Letterman show. He led his readers on a crusade against telemarketers that ultimately caused the national telemarketers association to stop answering its own phones because it was getting—irony alert—too many unwanted calls. He has also run for president multiple times, although so far without success.
He became a book author and joined a literary rock band, which was not good at playing music but did once perform with Bruce Springsteen, who sang backup to Dave. As for his literary merits, Dave writes: “I’ll never have the critical acclaim of, say, Marcel Proust. But was Marcel Proust ever on Carson? Did he ever steal a hotel sign for Oprah?”
Class Clown isn’t just a memoir; it’s a vibrant celebration of a life rich with humor, absurdity, joy, and sadness. Dave says the most important wisdom imparted by his Midwestern parents was never to take anything too seriously. This laughter-filled book is proof that he learned that lesson well.
Dave Barry is the author of more bestsellers than you can count on two hands, including Swamp Story, Lessons from Lucy, Dave Barry’s Complete Guide to Guys, Dave Barry Turns Forty, and Dave Barry Is Not Making This Up. A wildly popular syndicated columnist best known for his booger jokes, Barry won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for commentary. He lives in Miami.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
We are located above The Ridgway restaurant on the 2nd floor at 1300-3rd Street South, Suite 201.
What are your hours?
Beginning October 1st, our seasonal hours are Monday through Saturday 9am - 7pm and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
Is your store stroller and ADA accessible?
Yes! Our stroller and ADA entrance is accessible at the back of the building from the sidewalk and parking lot. Take the ramp up to the main floor and the elevator to the 2nd floor to access the store. We have an ADA accessible restroom in-store.
Where can I park near your store?
There is a parking lot immediately behind our building off 14th Ave between 2nd St S and 3rd St S, a parking lot across 13th Street from the store, and street parking available in the neighborhood.
Do you host events?
We have a robust event calendar including book and author talks, signings, writing workshops, children's story time and others. Please visit our Events page to see our upcoming offerings and sign up for our newsletter to be notified of event announcements.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes! Gift cards are available for purchase in-store.
Can you help with our community event, author event, or B2B bulk order?
Yes, we support a variety of organizations around town who are hosting book talks or authors for speaking engagements and can facilitate book sales, signings, pre-order campaigns, book club suggestions and more. Please email events@booksonthird.com with your request and we will contact you.
I would like to work at your store, are you hiring?
We're thrilled you're interested in joining our book-loving team. Open positions will be posted on our website if anything becomes available.
Will you stock my book?
Congratulations on publishing your book! Please fill out the Local Author Book Submission form to tell us more about your book. We review these submissions and our book buyers will reach out within one month if they are interested in stocking your book on our shelves. Due to the high volume of submissions, we are not able to respond to every request. We regret that we are unable to respond to email, phone, or in-person inquiries. Thank you for understanding.
Our Story
Our Story
We're not just another bookstore - we're a curated literary experience. Founded in friendship, we've poured our enthusiasm for books into creating a unique haven for readers.
We believe in the power of personalized curation, hand-selecting titles that resonate with individual tastes and fostering unexpected discoveries. This commitment drives us to offer a diverse and thoughtfully chosen collection.
Beyond the books themselves, we've crafted a high-design space that invites you to linger, explore, and connect. From cozy reading nooks to striking architectural details, our shop is a feast for the senses.
Books on Third is a community hub. Expect the familiar comforts of author events and book clubs, but also prepare for creative gatherings that push the boundaries of what a bookstore can be. We're dedicated to fostering a love of reading and creating memorable experiences for every visitor.
Come explore our shelves, share your literary interests, and discover the magic of a bookstore built on friendship, curated taste, and a genuine love for the written word.
Shipping Details
Shipping Details
We offer $5 flat-rate shipping on all orders.
Orders are typically fulfilled within 3 to 5 business days. During peak periods, processing times may be longer.
Local pickup is available at our Naples storefront. Please bring your order number and a photo ID to retrieve your purchase.