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Rules for Aging: A Wry and Witty Guide to Life
One of USA Today's Best Self-Help Books of the Year, the national bestseller Rules for Aging from New York Times bestselling author and beloved prize-winning essayist Roger Rosenblatt, is a witty and humorous guide about the trials and tribulations of getting older.
Acclaimed and beloved prize-winning essayist Roger Rosenblatt has commented on most of the trends and events of our time. His columns in Time magazine and his commentaries on PBS's News Hour with Jim Lehrer have made him a household word and a trusted friend of millions.
With a wry sense of humor and inimitable wit, Rosenblatt offers here guidelines for aging that are both easy to understand and, more importantly, easy to implement. More and more in the news today, we are hearing about phenomenal advances in the "fight against aging." But what Rosenblatt suggests to combat age is far more valuable than any scientific breakthrough — he breaks down the hardest part of aging, the mental anguish of growing older with fifty-four gems of funny, brilliant, wise, indispensable advice.
A book to savor, a book to keep, and a book for all ages. This little guide is intended for people who wish to age successfully, or at all. . .
Acclaimed and beloved prize-winning essayist Roger Rosenblatt has commented on most of the trends and events of our time. His columns in Time magazine and his commentaries on PBS's News Hour with Jim Lehrer have made him a household word and a trusted friend of millions.
With a wry sense of humor and inimitable wit, Rosenblatt offers here guidelines for aging that are both easy to understand and, more importantly, easy to implement. More and more in the news today, we are hearing about phenomenal advances in the "fight against aging." But what Rosenblatt suggests to combat age is far more valuable than any scientific breakthrough — he breaks down the hardest part of aging, the mental anguish of growing older with fifty-four gems of funny, brilliant, wise, indispensable advice.
A book to savor, a book to keep, and a book for all ages. This little guide is intended for people who wish to age successfully, or at all. . .
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
439 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
About the author
Roger Rosenblatt
57 books148 followersROGER ROSENBLATT, whose work has been published in 14 languages, is the author of five New York Times Notable Books of the Year, and three Times bestsellers, including the memoirs KAYAK MORNING, THE BOY DETECTIVE, and MAKING TOAST, originally an essay in the New Yorker. His newest book is THE STORY I AM, a collection on writing and the writing life.
Rosenblatt has also written seven off-Broadway plays, notably the one-person Free Speech in America, that he performed at the American Place Theater, named one of the Times's "Ten Best Plays of 1991." Last spring at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, he performed and played piano in his play, Lives in the Basement, Does Nothing, which will go to the Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook, and the Flea Theater in New York in 2021. He also wrote the screenplay for his bestselling novel LAPHAM RISING, to star Frank Langella, Stockard Channing, and Bobby Cannavale, currently in production.
The Distinguished Professor of English and Writing at SUNY Stony Brook/Southampton, he formerly held the Briggs-Copeland appointment in creative writing at Harvard, where he earned his Ph.D. Among his honors are two George Polk Awards; the Peabody, and the Emmy, for his essays at Time magazine and on PBS; a Fulbright to Ireland, where he played on the Irish International Basketball Team; seven honorary doctorates; the Kenyon Review Award for Lifetime Literary Achievement; and the President's Medal from the Chautauqua Institution for his body of work.
Rosenblatt has also written seven off-Broadway plays, notably the one-person Free Speech in America, that he performed at the American Place Theater, named one of the Times's "Ten Best Plays of 1991." Last spring at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, he performed and played piano in his play, Lives in the Basement, Does Nothing, which will go to the Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook, and the Flea Theater in New York in 2021. He also wrote the screenplay for his bestselling novel LAPHAM RISING, to star Frank Langella, Stockard Channing, and Bobby Cannavale, currently in production.
The Distinguished Professor of English and Writing at SUNY Stony Brook/Southampton, he formerly held the Briggs-Copeland appointment in creative writing at Harvard, where he earned his Ph.D. Among his honors are two George Polk Awards; the Peabody, and the Emmy, for his essays at Time magazine and on PBS; a Fulbright to Ireland, where he played on the Irish International Basketball Team; seven honorary doctorates; the Kenyon Review Award for Lifetime Literary Achievement; and the President's Medal from the Chautauqua Institution for his body of work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
July 2, 2021
A funny book that is not only for older people , but everyone. Funny, but true. I read a couple of these very short essays every morning to start my day with a laugh. My favorite....Lower your expectations. I've been doing that for years, and it really is the secret to happiness.
August 18, 2015
I got this book from a thrift store, mostly because I love the subtitle "resist normal impulses" and because I love the way Rosenblatt writes. Each sentence feels good, like a beautifully turned table leg. The writing in his book, Unless It Moves the Human Heart, is also stylish, a real treat to read if you admire writing at the sentence level.
This is a charming book. It's funny (despite his admonition in Rule 14 to resist the use of wit) and lightly ironic. I'd be hard-pressed to take his rules seriously yet there is truth in his advice. . . but it's truth you probably already knew. The only value in the book is in the amusement gained from reading Rosenblatt's version of those truths. I doubt that following his wisdom will gain you another ten years, but there's no harm in the attempt. Example:
12
Listen for the question "What are you talking about?"
Should that question arise in response to an accusation, know for certain that the person who said it knows perfectly well what you are talking about. Respond accordingly.
Of course I laughed. How many times has some person - enemy or friend - used this question to throw me off guard? I also very much like Rule 1: It doesn't matter, and Rule 2: Nobody is thinking about you. I know that the prior sentence is incorrectly punctuated, but I'm following Rule 55.
This is a charming book. It's funny (despite his admonition in Rule 14 to resist the use of wit) and lightly ironic. I'd be hard-pressed to take his rules seriously yet there is truth in his advice. . . but it's truth you probably already knew. The only value in the book is in the amusement gained from reading Rosenblatt's version of those truths. I doubt that following his wisdom will gain you another ten years, but there's no harm in the attempt. Example:
12
Listen for the question "What are you talking about?"
Should that question arise in response to an accusation, know for certain that the person who said it knows perfectly well what you are talking about. Respond accordingly.
Of course I laughed. How many times has some person - enemy or friend - used this question to throw me off guard? I also very much like Rule 1: It doesn't matter, and Rule 2: Nobody is thinking about you. I know that the prior sentence is incorrectly punctuated, but I'm following Rule 55.
April 29, 2015
My favorite is #2. "Nobody is thinking about you. Yes, I know, you are certain that your friends are becoming your enemies; that your grocer, garbageman, clergyman, sister-in-law, and your dog are all of the opinion that you have put on weight, that you have lost your touch, that you have lost your mind; furthermore, you are convinced that everyone spends two-thirds of every day commenting on your disintegration, denigrating your work, plotting your assassination. I promise you: Nobody is thinking about you. They are thinking about themselves - just like you." :))
March 24, 2013
On first blush, Rosenblatt's slim advice volume reads like a day-at-a-glance calendar. It is. And it isn't. If this were a calendar, it would have 58 days. If you read this at your office, you'd annoy your co-workers with your laugh-out-loud response to many of his aphorisms. You'd groan at others, because they are too close to your truth.
Let me give you a sample of how Rosenblatt writes. Most of his 58 entries are a few lines or a page long. Other stretch to three whole pages.
8. If something is boring you, it is probably you. This rule was inspired by Dylan Thomas who used to talk incessantly.
21. Male and female compatibility rules. a) She's right. b) He's really thinking about nothing. Really.
27. Just because the person who criticizes you is an idiot doesn't make him wrong.
41. Never work for anyone more insecure than yourself. "There is a long list of people for whom one should never go to work--crooks, racists, liars--but the most dangerous of the lot are those who are in over their heads...They know that they are inept; you now that they are inept; they know that you know it. Better always to work for a competent tyrant. I am self-employed."
Pick it up. Read it slowly. Laugh out loud even if you're on a sold-out flight to boredom. You'll want this on your shelf for those days...
Let me give you a sample of how Rosenblatt writes. Most of his 58 entries are a few lines or a page long. Other stretch to three whole pages.
8. If something is boring you, it is probably you. This rule was inspired by Dylan Thomas who used to talk incessantly.
21. Male and female compatibility rules. a) She's right. b) He's really thinking about nothing. Really.
27. Just because the person who criticizes you is an idiot doesn't make him wrong.
41. Never work for anyone more insecure than yourself. "There is a long list of people for whom one should never go to work--crooks, racists, liars--but the most dangerous of the lot are those who are in over their heads...They know that they are inept; you now that they are inept; they know that you know it. Better always to work for a competent tyrant. I am self-employed."
Pick it up. Read it slowly. Laugh out loud even if you're on a sold-out flight to boredom. You'll want this on your shelf for those days...
January 11, 2023
kinda funny, not life changing
February 16, 2016
Rule Number:
1. "It Doesn't Matter"
2. "Nobody is Thinking About You" sad, but true!
3. "Ignore Your Enemy or Kill Him"
10. "Swine Rules" " a. A Swine is Not a Swan....."
17. "Everyone's Work is Magnificent"
27. "Just Because the Person Who Criticizes You is an Idiot, Doesn't Make Him Wrong" Yeah, that's the ticket!
37. "The Waitress is Not Waiting for You"
41. "Never Work for Anyone More Insecure Than Yourself'
52. "Live in the Past, But Don't Remember Too Much"
Much of this work is humorous, but it's not always funny.....seems more like "Uncommon" sense to me.
1. "It Doesn't Matter"
2. "Nobody is Thinking About You" sad, but true!
3. "Ignore Your Enemy or Kill Him"
10. "Swine Rules" " a. A Swine is Not a Swan....."
17. "Everyone's Work is Magnificent"
27. "Just Because the Person Who Criticizes You is an Idiot, Doesn't Make Him Wrong" Yeah, that's the ticket!
37. "The Waitress is Not Waiting for You"
41. "Never Work for Anyone More Insecure Than Yourself'
52. "Live in the Past, But Don't Remember Too Much"
Much of this work is humorous, but it's not always funny.....seems more like "Uncommon" sense to me.
June 25, 2018
Good reminder not to take oneself too seriously. I appreciate this book more so now as I get older. Some chapters will speak more to your situation than others. Overall, worth rereading.
February 5, 2021
Funny but true advice on how to live longer. Not just for oldsters.
January 14, 2020
Concise, hilarious, and uncomfortably true...most of it. An engaging list of 58 rules for life, including such gems as: "If Something is Boring You, It's Probably You," "Let Bad Enough Alone," "Appearance is Frequently Reality."
A few of my favourite quotes:
"Believe everyone, and you will operate under the delightfully illusory opinion that life is well-intended."
"Happiness is wonderful, but if you have had more than five consecutive minutes of it, it means that you weren't thinking."
"Fame and importance are usually antipodal."
"Expect gratitude from nobody for anything."
Five stars.
A few of my favourite quotes:
"Believe everyone, and you will operate under the delightfully illusory opinion that life is well-intended."
"Happiness is wonderful, but if you have had more than five consecutive minutes of it, it means that you weren't thinking."
"Fame and importance are usually antipodal."
"Expect gratitude from nobody for anything."
Five stars.
June 14, 2015
A quick and entertaining read, I was going to report a light read, but while I didn't agree with most of this book,there was a profound moment for me in reading #9. I had always just asked the simple question of, "How's that working for you?", in response to my friends and family asking my opinion as to why if they are such godly people are they still and always having problems in life. I finally found an explanation that made sense to me in #9! God may just be tired of being misrepresented! This alone made what is supposed to be a somewhat humorous read very powerful for me. I also found value in #'s 8,14,38,57,and 58. A wealth of opinion and experience, who knows what YOU may find value in!
January 23, 2012
Breezed through this while recovering from an injury. Wit and wisdom, and some downright common sense, too. Like most good advice, you'll hear it and then forget it when you need it. But if you hear it enough, maybe it will stick. After all, if you throw enough mud at a wall, some of it will stick.
Some of this stuff I've learned the hard way, some came with great ease. Almost all are good lessons, and similar to many of the sayings my grandmother had, though hers, being in Yiddish, were a tad more colorful.
Some of this stuff I've learned the hard way, some came with great ease. Almost all are good lessons, and similar to many of the sayings my grandmother had, though hers, being in Yiddish, were a tad more colorful.
December 19, 2022
I would definitely say that the word "wry" describes this book very well. I had not heard of Roger Rosenblatt before but picked up two books by this author. This one is his observations about the rules to help you live longer but primarily the advice is summed up in the first of 58 rules in which he states "It doesn't Matter". Enjoyable little book.
February 12, 2022
Cute collection of smart-ass essays that contain just the right amount of truth and applicability.
1. It doesn't matter
16. Don't go to your left.
33. Never bring news of a slander to a friend
57. The game is played away from the ball
were all favorites. A fun read.
1. It doesn't matter
16. Don't go to your left.
33. Never bring news of a slander to a friend
57. The game is played away from the ball
were all favorites. A fun read.
December 5, 2019
Don't bother.
The book has flashes of humor but, for the most part was depressing
and didn't relate to the title. Perhaps I'm too old.
The book has flashes of humor but, for the most part was depressing
and didn't relate to the title. Perhaps I'm too old.
November 27, 2020
Five stars, because Rule 48.
May 6, 2025
Писатель и колумнист New York Times Роджер Розенблатт составил список советов, которые помогают жить, когда становишься старше. Увлекательное сочетание юмора, мудрости и эпизодически внезапного коварства. Но мудрости все-таки больше.
Цитаты:
«Otherwise nothing is required of the reader but a willingness to change one’s entire way of looking at things. Resist every normal impulse, and a perfect life is yours forever. Good luck».
«Male and female compatibility rules
a. She’s right.
b. He’s really thinking about nothing. Really.»
«It is impossible to live in any tense but the past. The present moves too fast; the future is the future.»
«Charles Lamb attended the opening of one of his plays and, having seen that the thing was very bad, stood up and started to boo—beating the rest of the audience by seconds. Unlikely as it sounds, there be one or two occasions in your life when you do something not up to your usual high standard. When that occurs, lead the booing yourself. It is good for one’s health, and it will deprive others of the satisfaction of your embarrassment.»
«Going to one’s left—or working on going to one’s left—is a basketball term for strengthening one’s weakness. A right-handed player will improve his game considerably if he learns to dribble and shoot with his left hand and to move to his left on the court. What is true for basketball, however, is not true for living. In life, if you attempt to compensate for a weakness, you will usually grow weaker.
Of course, you probably do not believe this. You will want to take singing lessons anyway.»
«Winston Churchill called Clement Attlee “a sheep in sheep’s clothing,” when he was not calling him “a modest little man with much to be modest about.”
<...>
Truman Capote on Jack Kerouac: “That’s not writing, it’s typing.” Gore Vidal on Capote: “He has made lying an art. A minor art.”»
«Michael Jordan said that he rarely got injured because he never played ad half speed. Life is only rewarding if you play at full speed. It is not only more fun, it is also safer.»
«Whatever you think matters—doesn’t. Follow this rule, and it will add decades to your life.»
Цитаты:
«Otherwise nothing is required of the reader but a willingness to change one’s entire way of looking at things. Resist every normal impulse, and a perfect life is yours forever. Good luck».
«Male and female compatibility rules
a. She’s right.
b. He’s really thinking about nothing. Really.»
«It is impossible to live in any tense but the past. The present moves too fast; the future is the future.»
«Charles Lamb attended the opening of one of his plays and, having seen that the thing was very bad, stood up and started to boo—beating the rest of the audience by seconds. Unlikely as it sounds, there be one or two occasions in your life when you do something not up to your usual high standard. When that occurs, lead the booing yourself. It is good for one’s health, and it will deprive others of the satisfaction of your embarrassment.»
«Going to one’s left—or working on going to one’s left—is a basketball term for strengthening one’s weakness. A right-handed player will improve his game considerably if he learns to dribble and shoot with his left hand and to move to his left on the court. What is true for basketball, however, is not true for living. In life, if you attempt to compensate for a weakness, you will usually grow weaker.
Of course, you probably do not believe this. You will want to take singing lessons anyway.»
«Winston Churchill called Clement Attlee “a sheep in sheep’s clothing,” when he was not calling him “a modest little man with much to be modest about.”
<...>
Truman Capote on Jack Kerouac: “That’s not writing, it’s typing.” Gore Vidal on Capote: “He has made lying an art. A minor art.”»
«Michael Jordan said that he rarely got injured because he never played ad half speed. Life is only rewarding if you play at full speed. It is not only more fun, it is also safer.»
«Whatever you think matters—doesn’t. Follow this rule, and it will add decades to your life.»
April 6, 2019
О ЧЕМ КНИГА:
Многие хорошие и редкие книги приходят по рекомендации от авторов других хороших работ. Здесь такой же случай. Почитать Розенблатта рекомендовал Seymour Schulich в книге из моего предыдущего обзора. Стареющий эссеист, колумнист и писатель делится с нами своим опытом и правилами, как жить после сорока. Это похоже на разговор с наставником за ужином.
КАКАЯ БЫЛА ЦЕЛЬ ЧТЕНИЯ:
- Получить новые инсайты и навыки для того, чтобы жить лучше.
ГЛАВНЫЕ ВЫВОДЫ:
- С возрастом важнее понимать, что не надо делать, чем то, что делать.
- «A realist will always let bad enough alone, but a romantic cannot stop himself from saying just one more thing that will clear up the mess.» Если с вами произошло что то неприятное и некрасивое, то не надо долго об этом говорить и оправдываться. Так делаешь себе только хуже. Скоро все всё забудут. Никто в нашем окружении о нас долго не думает и не вспоминает. У каждого своя жизнь и дела.
- Никогда не произносите фразу "Нам и правда для этого нужен контракт?"
- «Life gets very dangerous if you play it defensively or fearfully" - Michael Jordan. Жизнь становится опасной если я играю в защите, а не иду вперед с полной силой. Сейчас безопаснее рисковать, чем оставаться в покое.
И о ценности такого подхода пишет человек, которому за 60!
ЧТО Я БУДУ ПРИМЕНЯТЬ В ЖИЗНИ И БИЗНЕСЕ:
- Буду чаще начинать новые бизнес-проекты и пробовать новые направления в бизнесе. В долгую так безопаснее) При этом принимать на себя только небольшие и просчитанные риски.
ЕЩЕ НА ЭТУ ТЕМУ:
- Karl Pillemer "30 Lessons For Living"
- Gordon Livingston "Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart"
Многие хорошие и редкие книги приходят по рекомендации от авторов других хороших работ. Здесь такой же случай. Почитать Розенблатта рекомендовал Seymour Schulich в книге из моего предыдущего обзора. Стареющий эссеист, колумнист и писатель делится с нами своим опытом и правилами, как жить после сорока. Это похоже на разговор с наставником за ужином.
КАКАЯ БЫЛА ЦЕЛЬ ЧТЕНИЯ:
- Получить новые инсайты и навыки для того, чтобы жить лучше.
ГЛАВНЫЕ ВЫВОДЫ:
- С возрастом важнее понимать, что не надо делать, чем то, что делать.
- «A realist will always let bad enough alone, but a romantic cannot stop himself from saying just one more thing that will clear up the mess.» Если с вами произошло что то неприятное и некрасивое, то не надо долго об этом говорить и оправдываться. Так делаешь себе только хуже. Скоро все всё забудут. Никто в нашем окружении о нас долго не думает и не вспоминает. У каждого своя жизнь и дела.
- Никогда не произносите фразу "Нам и правда для этого нужен контракт?"
- «Life gets very dangerous if you play it defensively or fearfully" - Michael Jordan. Жизнь становится опасной если я играю в защите, а не иду вперед с полной силой. Сейчас безопаснее рисковать, чем оставаться в покое.
И о ценности такого подхода пишет человек, которому за 60!
ЧТО Я БУДУ ПРИМЕНЯТЬ В ЖИЗНИ И БИЗНЕСЕ:
- Буду чаще начинать новые бизнес-проекты и пробовать новые направления в бизнесе. В долгую так безопаснее) При этом принимать на себя только небольшие и просчитанные риски.
ЕЩЕ НА ЭТУ ТЕМУ:
- Karl Pillemer "30 Lessons For Living"
- Gordon Livingston "Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart"
August 6, 2020
This is a short book compiled from the series of short Newspaper Columns, many parts common sense, some humorous, but other parts not agreeing. Here are some examples:
~ It does not matter whatever you think matters (well, it matters to me!)
~ Nobody is thinking about you. (kinda true… at least not as much as we are thinking of ourselves, that’s for sure!)
~ When somebody is saying “What are you talking about?”, she knows perfectly well what I am talking about. (True in Hannah’s case)
~ Never miss an opportunity to do nothing (Disagree. Very few times, I have regretted when I “DID” something instead of doing nothing. Although I am learning to enjoy “pause”, thinking NOTHING and doing NOTHING a few minutes at a time. I surely know the importance of “Break”
~ a) She is right and b) He is really thinking about nothing, really!
~ Stay clear of anyone who refers to what God wants of them (Although I still believe in God and respect those who teach and preach IAW the Bible, I am becoming more weary of imposing God’s will to others.) No one really knows the full scale of God and His will. It is something that I will be pursuing intimately and continuously, not based on someone else’s interpretation..
~ It does not matter whatever you think matters (well, it matters to me!)
~ Nobody is thinking about you. (kinda true… at least not as much as we are thinking of ourselves, that’s for sure!)
~ When somebody is saying “What are you talking about?”, she knows perfectly well what I am talking about. (True in Hannah’s case)
~ Never miss an opportunity to do nothing (Disagree. Very few times, I have regretted when I “DID” something instead of doing nothing. Although I am learning to enjoy “pause”, thinking NOTHING and doing NOTHING a few minutes at a time. I surely know the importance of “Break”
~ a) She is right and b) He is really thinking about nothing, really!
~ Stay clear of anyone who refers to what God wants of them (Although I still believe in God and respect those who teach and preach IAW the Bible, I am becoming more weary of imposing God’s will to others.) No one really knows the full scale of God and His will. It is something that I will be pursuing intimately and continuously, not based on someone else’s interpretation..
January 7, 2020
A very entertaining read about how to "age successfully, or at all". The author has compiled a list of 58 rules for aging that are light hearted but yet hold truth about how we look at life. Many of the rules made me chuckle & his examples of how a particular rule prevents disasters from repeating are very amusing. An example of this is Rule 3 Let Bad Enough Alone. This rule basically means not to try to explain a bad or embarrassing situation because it only goes from bad to worse. He cites the behavior of the Bendex Corporation chairman in having an affair with a blonde 29 year old woman who rose to vice-president in a matter of 15 months. The chairman makes matters worse by trying to explain the situation which ended up with both of them having to leave their jobs.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the "rules" to correctly age & enjoy long peaceful old age. Read it for the humor & the insight these rules provide for our everyday lives.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the "rules" to correctly age & enjoy long peaceful old age. Read it for the humor & the insight these rules provide for our everyday lives.
January 28, 2023
breaking news: i actually finished reading a self-help book with my Own Two Eyes. i usually just download the audiobook and fall asleep after 5 mins! 😋
very fun. as someone sufficiently traumatized by their existence and upbringing, i found rule #7 to be especially enlightening—“After the age of 30, it is unseemly to blame one’s parents for one’s life”. wish someone told me that sooner. preferably four years ago.
ngl I have no idea who half the people this man was referencing were. thank you, google. i know what tricorn hats are now.
very fun. as someone sufficiently traumatized by their existence and upbringing, i found rule #7 to be especially enlightening—“After the age of 30, it is unseemly to blame one’s parents for one’s life”. wish someone told me that sooner. preferably four years ago.
ngl I have no idea who half the people this man was referencing were. thank you, google. i know what tricorn hats are now.
July 19, 2023
Clever and cynical short read. Many laughs.
Rule 17
“This rule applies to those occasions when people, often total strangers, have decided that you are the person on earth to assess the merits of their oil painting, cooking, wood carving, sand sculpture, dress design, electric train setup, love song, or the 30,000-line tragicomic epic poem they have composed on the life of John Gotti….here is your judgment: ‘It’s magnificent.’ Do not add a syllable. Shake their hand warmly..:and get out of there.”
Rule 17
“This rule applies to those occasions when people, often total strangers, have decided that you are the person on earth to assess the merits of their oil painting, cooking, wood carving, sand sculpture, dress design, electric train setup, love song, or the 30,000-line tragicomic epic poem they have composed on the life of John Gotti….here is your judgment: ‘It’s magnificent.’ Do not add a syllable. Shake their hand warmly..:and get out of there.”
February 25, 2025
A fun, humorous collection of mostly good advice. Numbered one through 58, most rules take up less than one page. A few require slightly more explanation. The explanations are largely tongue-in-cheek and yet often ring true. Published in 2000, the rules are not yet out of date.
"Never miss an opportunity to do nothing"
"To thine own self be true - unless you would like to be someone else"
"Just because the person who criticizes you is an idiot doesn't make him wrong"
"Abjure fame but avoid obscurity"
"Never miss an opportunity to do nothing"
"To thine own self be true - unless you would like to be someone else"
"Just because the person who criticizes you is an idiot doesn't make him wrong"
"Abjure fame but avoid obscurity"
December 26, 2019
Words to live by!!
A small easy to read book. It is amusing but entirely irrelevant and not to be taken seriously. It's pleasure lies precisely in the fact that it is a collection of tongue in cheek pieces of advice. As to its relevance to its title; don't take that too seriously. Just enjoy the read, the wit and smile with the author.
A small easy to read book. It is amusing but entirely irrelevant and not to be taken seriously. It's pleasure lies precisely in the fact that it is a collection of tongue in cheek pieces of advice. As to its relevance to its title; don't take that too seriously. Just enjoy the read, the wit and smile with the author.
March 3, 2020
First, I’d like to thank my dad for sending this to me! Award winning essayist Roger Rosenblatt’s 54 rules are a hilarious dose of reality and truth, particularly to those inclined to think more of themselves than they should. Pithy axioms of sharp precise wit will have you scratching your head and saying to yourself that he is right again! A short and funny read!
December 18, 2024
I remember I was told to be too young to read this book, but I completely disagree because this book is what we all needed regardless of our age as long as comprehension is concerned. This book opened my mind and awaken my awareness to the things that people worried about. It provides consolation and assurance, guidance in navigating you life.
March 26, 2020
I wanted a book to help me remain positive in this stage of life, directions to the fountain of youth perhaps. This author sounds bitter and cynical. I can do that all by myself. I read over half before taking a friend's advice and moving on to something better.
April 22, 2020
I didn't get it. There was something knowing and smug about the tone that I guess I'm not the right audience for. But I definitely appreciate, and agree with, and try to keep in mind, the admonition that NO ONE IS THINKING ABOUT YOU. This is useful, and important.
June 27, 2020
Getting It on Gaining Wisdom with some Humor Thrown In
I don’t know why I gravitated to this reading, but it was very good. I guess I needed to see through someone else’s eyes once again, how life is fun and I can have fun doing what I do.
I don’t know why I gravitated to this reading, but it was very good. I guess I needed to see through someone else’s eyes once again, how life is fun and I can have fun doing what I do.
January 27, 2021
This was a different book because I didn't pick up on the humor in it at first. I was just looking at it from the "aging" point of view. It was written as a "guide" for those younger to life. Easy to read and understand, and highly acclaimed.
March 14, 2022
a Waste of an Hour
I will soon be giving a program on Aging with Humor. I bought this book for inspiration and a new perspective. Trust me - there is nothing “Wry” or “Witty” in here. Nothing.
I will soon be giving a program on Aging with Humor. I bought this book for inspiration and a new perspective. Trust me - there is nothing “Wry” or “Witty” in here. Nothing.
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