Political humor does not get any funnier or more salient than it does in "The Book of Axe," a trilogy on free speech. This collection of plays by keen observer and funny woman Artie Anderson is peppered with salty dialogue and fresh metaphors, sure to have readers looking at the current world order in an entirely new way.

It may not seem possible to create comedy from horror, but the heady topics tackled by Anderson include acts of terrorism and the reactionary government that threatens civil liberties. The author's sparkling wit and raucous sense of humor make these sober events and...