Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic by Henri Bergson, is a classic essay on the nature and meaning of humor in various cultures throughout the world. The book has been highly successful in France, where it is in its seventh edition. It has been translated into Russian, Polish, and Swedish. German and Hungarian translations are under preparation. Its success is due partly to the novelty of the explanation offered of the comic, and partly also to the fact that the author incidentally discusses questions of still greater interest and importance.