Beyond The Joke HQ has been having a post-Fringe clear-out and has come across a previously undiscovered box containing pristine copies of Beyond A Joke, the book that helped to inspire this website. The Sunday Times called the book "an intriguing history of humour's bad boys that claims that almost every great comedian is a damaged soul ... Delightful nuggets for the new wave of comedy enthusiasts" while the Independent said "Its sporadic vulgarity leavened by wit and insight, the book mirrors the mood of a late-night gig."

And now a copy of the book can be yours for absolutely nothing. All you need to do is sign up to the free weekly BTJ Newsletter on the right-hand side of the homepage. There is, of couse, nothing to stop you cancelling your subscription as soon as you receive your book, but BTJ is confident that you will enjoy the newsletter so much you will stick around. If you have already signed up why not get a friend to sign up and give you the book for Christmas? Copies will be sent free of charge to five people drawn at random at midnight on Thursday September 4. Once you've signed up, email [email protected] with your name and address. Winners will be informed by noon on Friday, September 5.