Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
80th out of 122 books
—
25 voters
Let Your Mind Alone! And Other More or Less Inspirational Pieces
A collection of humorous essays, accompanied by the author's own bizarre drawings, presenting Thurber's unremitting retort to the multitude of "self-help" books which were widespread in the 1930s and whose successors are still with us today.
Paperback, 225 pages
Published
August 11th 1983
by Arrow
(first published 1937)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
83)
Oct 10, 2007
Modbon
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who love to laugh
Shelves:
toodamnfunny
One of my favorite Thurber collections. The first half of this book (I have the 1937 ed.) dissects (with snarky glee) Depression-era self-help books. Oddly enough, self-help books haven't really changed all that much in 70-plus years. There are none so pompous as those who would tell others how to behave, and Thurber skewers them deliciously.
The second half of the book contains a collection of essays, with some short fiction and some commentary, and includes Thurber's memories of the time he spe...more
The second half of the book contains a collection of essays, with some short fiction and some commentary, and includes Thurber's memories of the time he spe...more
"Her smile, under her considerable mustache, was quick and savage and frightening, like a flash of lightning lighting up a ruined woods." Favorites are "The Breaking Up of the Winships" and the criticism of doing a "laughing imitation of a butler" to corral cocktail party guests into the dining room. Ahhhhh time to pick the next one up.
The last self-help book you will never need...
The best critic of "self help" books ever written
Dec 26, 2007
ben
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anybody who has rolled their eyes at a self help book
The first half of this book is Thurber attacking the 1930s self-help book industry, which is a pretty easy target. The short writings are great but where Thurber really shines is when he is recounting funny stories, of which there are several in this book. He had me in tears more than once.
It's not the best of Thurber's collections but it's got some classic moments in it. And it does contain probably my favourite essay, "The Admiral on the Wheel."
James Thurber exposes absurdity lurking everywhere in his world. Written 70 years ago, these essays ring just as true and funny today.
One of the first replies to the (then) growing market of 'self help' gurus. Funny.
Apr 29, 2013
Mary catherine
marked it as to-read
Feb 09, 2013
Igraine
marked it as auf-gar-keinen-fall
Feb 03, 2013
Nancy
marked it as to-read
Dec 14, 2012
Ismael Schonhorst
marked it as to-read
Dec 06, 2012
Elva Blumenstein
marked it as to-read
Jul 30, 2012
anonymous
marked it as to-read
Jul 15, 2012
Charisse Esmeriz
marked it as to-read
May 29, 2012
Dan
added it
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Thurber was born in Columbus, Ohio to Charles L. Thurber and Mary Agnes (Mame) Fisher Thurber. Both of his parents greatly influenced his work. His father, a sporadically employed clerk and minor politician who dreamed of being a lawyer or an actor, is said to have been the inspiration for the small, timid protagonist typical of many of his stories. Thurber described his mother as a "born comedien...more
More about James Thurber...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
