Description

Discover the fascinating true story behind America’s most iconic satirical publication as told by writer and historian Christine Wenc, one of the original staff members. In 1988, a quirky group of University of Wisconsin–Madison students and dropouts started a free weekly newspaper with the playful and irreverent editorial motto “You Are Dumb.” Originally looking to earn just a bit of cash, they could never have anticipated becoming a cornerstone of modern satire, dramatically reshaping how audiences experience both humor and news.

Over two decades, The Onion transformed into a sharp, wickedly funny commentary on the absurdities and darkness of late 20th-century America, eventually gaining global acclaim. Through extensive research and interviews, Christine Wenc offers readers a never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes narrative of The Onion’s rise—from an indie print paper to one of the internet’s pioneering humor websites, inspiring groundbreaking TV shows like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.

Humorous, insightful, and thoroughly documented, Funny Because It’s True uncovers how a handful of young outsiders from middle America unexpectedly sparked a cultural revolution.