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135th out of 137 books
—
8 voters
Snobbery: The American Version
A national bestseller, Snobbery examines the discriminating qualities in all of us. With dishy detail, Joseph Epstein skewers all manner of elitism in contemporary America. He offers his arch observations of the new footholds of snobbery: food, fashion, high-achieving children, schools, politics, being with-it, name-dropping, and much more. Clever, incisive, and immensely...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
July 7th 2003
by Mariner Books
(first published 2002)
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A very cute read, Epstein talks about the curiosity he finds in that though democracy, by its very nature touts itself as anti-snobbery, seems at the same time, by its very nature, to breed it.
By taking away the social solidarity of class, getting rid of any true aristocracy, and even by eliminating the society columns, Americans are left with the need to find some way of distinguishing themselves from their fellow countrymen.
We do this by becoming snobs: Job-snobbery, school snobbery, intellec...more
By taking away the social solidarity of class, getting rid of any true aristocracy, and even by eliminating the society columns, Americans are left with the need to find some way of distinguishing themselves from their fellow countrymen.
We do this by becoming snobs: Job-snobbery, school snobbery, intellec...more
So far, less humorous and informative than I expected but a decent summer read. A candid and somewhat comical look into what it means to be a snob, who qualifies and how. Epstein points out that snobs A) are trying to own, attain, look, act, drink, eat, etc in the way that society has deemed "high class" or "high status". I especially liked that he explains that these things may not actually be the best, the most high class, the most quality items, characteristics, attitudes, education, etc that...more
I saw this book in a bin at a used bookstore this week and pounced -- it's great. Epstein attempts to dissect post-WASP snobbery (and by default, what social class means in America) in this engaging read. Without clear-cut WASPy rules to lead the way, how do we determine what American snobbery even means anymore? There's no easy answer, but Epstein admirably takes on the challenge and guides us through first its history and then its many forms with conversational ease, from middle class anxiety...more
Thoroughly enjoyed this! Joseph Epstein is incredibly intelligent and funny, and I really learned a lot reading this book, especially about 18th-20th century writers. Intellectual is one of the forms of snobbery that Epstein frequently discusses, seeing how as an educated person he has the most personal experience with that form; plus, as correctly he states, "novelists are our keenest sociologists" (65). I really appreciate that this book doesn't have a mushy, "let's all love ourselves and each...more
What I learned: I remember the days of Woolworth five and dime stores, some women sporting gloves, the gentile way of traveling on subway. It was quieter then and pace much slower. Yes, there were those who had quite abundance and advantages; and this made for wanting to do more with oneself in order to have some of their privilege. But since their dismemberment what is left: Fashion, taste, and style; with fashion being the motor force behind taste. And taste fuses our assumptions, predilection...more
I picked this up hoping for I know not what - enlightenment, understanding, a broader perspective. In that sense, it delivered. The author actually goes to enviable lengths to portray his own snobbery, the origins of it and its own evolution, before he gets into tearing into the snobbery of others.
It was an enjoyable book, if you like social commentary, which is essentially all this is. There are relatively few concrete numbers, owing at least in part to the nature of snobbery itself being a som...more
It was an enjoyable book, if you like social commentary, which is essentially all this is. There are relatively few concrete numbers, owing at least in part to the nature of snobbery itself being a som...more
Witty, erudite, effortlessly constructed and studded with 5-dollar words I don't know but would like to learn. Epstein is the new half-brother to my favorite family of writers, sitting at Thankgiving between Anne Fadiman and Joan Didion, across the table from Bill Bryson and Phillip Lopate.
These are my heroes, men and women who take often pedestrian subjects and light them with bottle rockets from the inside. I hope to have a literary legacy like theirs someday. And as I practice, I read books l
...more
Mr. Epstein!
This was a fantastic book. I'm a snob. If you've got a GoodReads profile, there's a real good chance you're a snob, too. We're all snobs about something: food, culture, music, fashion, lifestyle, etc. "Snobbery" breaks down the why and how behind American snobbery and provides a funny, intelligent read.
What amazed me most was the history of snobbery that Epstein lays out. It had never occurred to me that the U.S. used to have a high Society (with a capital "S") and that times were a...more
This was a fantastic book. I'm a snob. If you've got a GoodReads profile, there's a real good chance you're a snob, too. We're all snobs about something: food, culture, music, fashion, lifestyle, etc. "Snobbery" breaks down the why and how behind American snobbery and provides a funny, intelligent read.
What amazed me most was the history of snobbery that Epstein lays out. It had never occurred to me that the U.S. used to have a high Society (with a capital "S") and that times were a...more
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I never quite finished this. It came highly recommended by someone whose opinion I normally trust about books, but I had the strange experience of both feeling superior as I read about American snobs ("thank God I'm not one of them,") but also vagelu inferior ("why aren't I one of them?"). This I suppose is the whole thorn of snobbery; frankly, I don't know why I should spend more time than basolutely necesary with snobs. So thus, I never finished the book.
1 like · like · see review
Read in 2002. Incredibly pompous, ponderous and pedantic (Epstein was clearly the right choice to expound on this particular topic), but I did learn a thing or two.
The Snobbery Test: Are you taking pleasure in a thing or activity for itself, or is the pleasure because most people are excluded from it? The Elitist wants the best, the Snob also wants to make sure other people know he has the best.
The Snobbery Test: Are you taking pleasure in a thing or activity for itself, or is the pleasure because most people are excluded from it? The Elitist wants the best, the Snob also wants to make sure other people know he has the best.
There were parts of this book I related to and thought were totally relevant. There were other parts that were written solely for an upper-middle to upper-class readership - one Epstein (snobbishly) probably assumes is his only readership. As a result, the book skips over the snobbishness of middle America (religious, jingoism, etc) that I think is the more accurate "American Version."
In a series of essays on various aspects of American culture, JE articulates what we may, or may not, have been sensing all along: that how and why Americans live with and treat each other defines a nuanced and particular "snobbery," a system jerry-rigged to maintain one's integrity and sense of self in an otherwise too-accommodating democracy.
When I picked up this book I expected a "fizzy" piece of writing, a tongue in cheek treatment of a subject which I could not imagine being taken too "seriously." I was wrong!
This book is deep, a brilliant piece of anthropology. It.probes the human soul with a gentle but merciless finger. Guaranteed to make you wince.
This book is deep, a brilliant piece of anthropology. It.probes the human soul with a gentle but merciless finger. Guaranteed to make you wince.
Occasionally droll but often irritating tour of the various forms of snobbery inherent in American life. The author, a professor of literature at Northwestern, ostensibly aims to puncture the pretensions of snobbery even as he engages in them himself; the book's fundamental assertions are confused and self-contradictory.
Well-written book discussing the idea of being a snob in society. The author explains how the term can be applied to everyone. He looks at the idea of being a snob amongst social classes and the illusion of the Ivy League. He looks at money as a influential factor in families and amongst friendships.
Undoubtedly many LOL moments as I flipped from the authors unsuspecting photo on the back flap to the outrageously frank discussion and observations throughout the book. I found shared social irritations and peeves and also a few *gasp* self examination moments.
Excellent - the author hits every point on snobbery and gives a thorough rundown, causes, effects and justifications for the thoughts. He does not shy away from pointing out traits that he lies in fault of as well, a true testament to someone trying to teach something. Funny, well written and informative.
What I Learned: Don't let people make you feel little.
What I Learned: Don't let people make you feel little.
I checked this out over the holidays and for whatever reason it just didn't click with me. I was hoping for something light and humorous but the writing just didn't come across well.
Part autobiography, part social criticism, it was a lot less entertaining than expected and a lot less insightful than expected. I preferred reading Status Anxiety by Alain de Botton.
Aug 03, 2011
Bill
added it
An excellent social commentary; reading it now, after the crashed economy (much of which was driven by keeping-up-with-Joneses type consumerism) can only make it seem prescient.
I loved this analysis of the layers of snobbery we produce and endure. I learned I should be a bit ashamed of my Francophilia. A smart and funny book. Loved it!
Joseph Epstein quickly became one of my favorite essayists with this book. It's a fast, funny, excellent read, and I recommend it to everyone, snob or no.
I read most of this book while on jury duty one day. I never got out of the waiting room, but I was on the clock, so I didn't mind.
This writer should be better known than he is. His work is insightful, witty and incredibly well written.
If I could wish Jos Epstein off the face of this earth,
it would give me great pleasure. (To restate an Ep line).
He needs a cyanide enema.
it would give me great pleasure. (To restate an Ep line).
He needs a cyanide enema.
Epstein's writing drips with snobbery. Rather than \"deliciously readable\" as one blurb promised, the book is tedious and does more to perpetuate snobbery than to dispell it.
Aug 28, 2012
JJ
added it
Epstein's talent for aphorisms is stunning. I must have laughed on every second page.
I am a total water snob. Smartwater or Penta only.
Jun 29, 2012
Rachelheavers
is currently reading it
This is a great read!
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“Not everyone strives to be fashionable. I don't, and I believe I succeed.”
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