The Jewish-Japanese sex and cookbook and how to raise wolves. by Jack Douglas Summary

1. Jack Douglas chronicles his absurd real-life adventure raising wolves in Connecticut.
2. Despite its title the book focuses on wolf conservation efforts.
3. Douglas transports his wolf pack to Canadian wilderness for their release.
4. The memoir blends crude 1970s humor with genuine ecological preservation themes.
5. Reiko Douglas and family navigate chaos from wolves and exotic pets.
6. The book reflects dated politically incorrect comedy typical of its era.
7. Douglas explores the ethical dilemma of keeping wild wolves in captivity.
8. His conservation group attempts to establish a wolf preserve in Connecticut.
9. The narrative moves from suburban chaos to wilderness adventure in Ontario.
10. Jack Douglas balances slapstick comedy with heartfelt reflections on nature.
11. The misleading title became a cultural meme decades after original publication.
12. Underneath the absurdity lies meaningful commentary about species preservation efforts.

About the Author

Jack Douglas (born Douglas Linley Crickard, 1908–1989) was an Emmy Award-winning American comedy writer and humorist who authored The Jewish-Japanese Sex and Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves, a quirky 1972 memoir blending absurdist humor with personal stories about raising pet wolves.

Douglas's comedic expertise was shaped by decades writing for entertainment icons including Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Jimmy Durante, Johnny Carson, and Woody Allen. His irreverent style and cultural observations were influenced by his marriage to Reiko, a Japanese-born singer and comedian, inspiring this book's playful East-meets-West humor.

Douglas became widely recognized through frequent guest appearances on The Jack Paar Show in the late 1950s and early 1960s, where his quick wit captivated television audiences. He authored eleven humor books between 1947 and 1979, including My Brother Was an Only Child and Never Trust a Naked Bus Driver. Douglas won an Emmy in 1954 for best-written comedy material, cementing his legacy as one of television's pioneering comedy writers during the golden age of American entertainment.

FAQs About This Book

What is The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves about?

The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves is a 1972 humor memoir by Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Jack Douglas about his chaotic experience raising a timber wolf and other exotic animals in suburban Connecticut. Despite its provocative title, the book contains minimal actual sex content and no Jewish-Japanese fusion recipes—instead, it chronicles Douglas's family life with his Japanese wife Reiko, their two sons, and a menagerie that includes a 200-pound mountain lion, an Alaskan malamute, and a Pomeranian. The narrative culminates in Douglas's heartfelt effort to prepare his wolf family for release into the Canadian wilderness.

Who is Jack Douglas, the author of The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves?

Jack Douglas (1908-1989) was an Emmy Award-winning American comedy writer who wrote for radio and television legends including Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Johnny Carson, and Woody Allen. He won his Emmy in 1954 for best-written comedy material and became famous for frequent guest appearances on Jack Paar's talk shows in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Douglas authored several bestselling humor books, and his third wife Reiko, a Japanese-born singer and comedian, regularly appeared alongside him on shows hosted by Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, and Johnny Carson.

Who should read The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves?

The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves appeals to readers who enjoy 1970s-era absurdist humor, animal memoirs, and cultural time capsules from a less politically correct era. Fans of chaotic family stories, wildlife enthusiasts curious about raising exotic animals, and those interested in Golden Age television comedy writing will find value in Douglas's laugh-out-loud antics. However, readers should be prepared for dated language and attitudes that reflect 1970s comedy sensibilities, including jokes that would not be published today. It's ideal for those who appreciate crude humor mixed with genuine affection for animals.

Is The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves worth reading?

The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves is worth reading for its unique blend of absurdist humor and heartwarming moments about wildlife conservation. While Jack Douglas fills the narrative with socially unacceptable 1970s jokes that wouldn't be published today, the book offers laugh-out-loud comedy paired with surprisingly thoughtful reflections on nature and ecological issues. Readers value Douglas's genuine affection for his animals and the unexpectedly touching account of preparing wolves for return to the wild. It serves as both entertainment and a fascinating glimpse into 1970s comedy culture.

What animals does Jack Douglas raise in The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves?

Jack Douglas raises an extraordinary menagerie in The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves, including a timber wolf (named Wolf), a 200-pound mountain lion called Pussycat, an Alaskan malamute named Chibi, and a 4-pound Pomeranian named Doggie. The central focus is the timber wolf that Douglas acquires despite his wife Reiko's adamant objections and threats to return to Japan. The book chronicles his experiences managing these exotic animals in suburban Connecticut while dealing with alarmed neighbors. Eventually, Douglas acquires a mate and litter of cubs for the wolf, setting up the book's climactic storyline.

Is there actual Jewish-Japanese cuisine or sex advice in The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves?

Despite its provocative title, The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves contains no real Jewish-Japanese fusion cuisine recipes and hardly any sex content. The misleading title reflects Jack Douglas's penchant for attention-grabbing humor and absurdist comedy sensibility from the 1970s. The book primarily focuses on raising wolves and other exotic animals, with humorous family anecdotes featuring Douglas's Japanese wife Reiko. The title serves as a comedic hook rather than an accurate description of content, which was typical of Douglas's irreverent approach to humor writing during that era.

What is the main story arc in The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves?

The main story in The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves follows Jack Douglas's journey from acquiring a controversial timber wolf in suburban Connecticut to ultimately preparing the wolf family for a "Born Free-like return" to the Canadian wilderness. After Douglas brings home the wolf despite his wife Reiko's protests ("No wolf! I think I go back to Japan"), she responds with compulsive rice cooking and ominous threats while he deals with outraged suburban neighbors. The turning point comes when Reiko suggests acquiring a mate and cubs for Wolf, which activates Douglas's growing concern about keeping such magnificent wild creatures in captivity.

What makes The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves controversial?

The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves is controversial for its dated 1970s humor filled with sexist, racist, and homophobic jokes that Jack Douglas seemed to relish including. The author appeared to enjoy pushing boundaries with as many socially unacceptable cracks as possible, creating content that would never be published today with modern editorial standards. Beyond the offensive humor, the book's misleading title itself sparked controversy by promising content it never delivered. However, the book also offers a culturally significant window into comedy's nerve-touching 1970s heyday, prompting reflection on how much social standards have evolved.

Why did Jack Douglas write The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves?

Jack Douglas wrote The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves based on his actual personal experiences raising wolves and exotic animals after retiring from his legendary career as a comedy writer for television and radio. The book pairs Douglas's real-life story with his comic sensibility to create laugh-out-loud memoir material, taking readers from Connecticut suburbs to Lost Lake, Ontario. Having worked with entertainment icons like Bob Hope, Red Skelton, and Johnny Carson, Douglas channeled his comedy writing expertise into humorous books documenting his unconventional family life with wife Reiko and their unusual menagerie.

What happens to the wolves at the end of The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves?

The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves culminates in what reviewers describe as "unquestionably the funniest episode" of Jack Douglas's career—his efforts to prepare his wolf family for a "Born Free-like return" to the Canadian wilderness. After acquiring a mate and litter of cubs for Wolf the wolf, Douglas develops growing concern over holding captive such magnificent wild creatures. The book's finale chronicles his hilarious misadventures preparing the wolves for release in Canada, balancing comedy with genuine affection and ecological consciousness. This heartwarming resolution showcases Douglas's evolution from wolf owner to wildlife conservationist.

What is the writing style of The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves?

The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves features Jack Douglas's signature zany, absurdist writing style where crude jokes and comic antics "fly like tennis balls from an automated machine". Douglas pairs rapid-fire wisecracks with genuine storytelling about family life and wildlife experiences, creating a downright chaotic atmosphere that permeates every page. The Emmy-winning comedy writer demonstrates his ability to see the world "from a different angle," delivering both rib-tickling hilarity and heartwarming affection for his animals. His prose reflects 1970s nerve-touching comedy sensibilities, mixing laugh-out-loud humor with surprisingly thoughtful reflections on nature.

Is The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves based on true events?

Yes, The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves is based on Jack Douglas's actual personal experiences raising wolves and exotic animals with his Japanese wife Reiko and their family. The book authentically chronicles their life in suburban Connecticut with a real menagerie including a timber wolf, 200-pound mountain lion, Alaskan malamute, and Pomeranian. Douglas's third wife Reiko (née Hashimoto) was indeed a Japanese-born singer and comedian who appeared with him on numerous talk shows, validating the book's domestic dynamics. While Douglas employs his comedy writer's exaggeration for entertainment, the core story of acquiring wolves and ultimately preparing them for Canadian wilderness release reflects genuine events from his unconventional lifestyle.