Rating: 
Summary: amusing twists
Review: a highly amusing, interesting twist on the typical self-help book.Being an entertainer who sort of "lucked" into his popularity producing roles, I'm not sure that he's definitively qualified to write a work like this, but what the heck? His borderline arrogance is nicely offset by an original, witty mind. Not bad.
Rating: 
Summary: So-so. 3 word summary: Avoid being egoistic
Review: Avoid being egoistic -- these three words sum up the entire book, so if you already know this, don't bother with the book. Based on other rave reviews here, and from hearing Ben Stein on the radio, I decided to give this book a try. This book serves two purposes: as a humor book and as an inverted self-help book. Regarding humor, I was disappointed to find the book as a whole, not funny. I smiled a couple of times, but that was it. In terms of the self-help aspect of the book, there is really nothing new here and Mr. Stein is very redundant - so much so that it suppresses any humor he was trying to convey. Overall the book could quickly be summed up by reading the table of contents and afterward section in the back of the book -- which is only a couple of pages. Another weakness in the book is that Mr. Stein tries to address too wide of an audience and on the same page he will address you as wife, husband, and student -- this makes parts of the book awkward to read, and I'm surprised editors didn't catch this. Thankfully I picked this book up at my library today and didn't buy it, because frankly, I don't think it is worth the money and wasn't what I expected from a man of Mr. Stein's noteriety.
Rating:
Summary: So-so. 3 word summary: Avoid being egoistic
Review: Avoid being egoistic -- these three words sum up the entire book, so if you already know this, don't bother with the book. Based on other rave reviews here, and from hearing Ben Stein on the radio, I decided to give this book a try. This book serves two purposes: as a humor book and as an inverted self-help book. Regarding humor, I was disappointed to find the book as a whole, not funny. I smiled a couple of times, but that was it. In terms of the self-help aspect of the book, there is really nothing new here and Mr. Stein is very redundant - so much so that it suppresses any humor he was trying to convey. Overall the book could quickly be summed up by reading the table of contents and afterward section in the back of the book -- which is only a couple of pages. Another weakness in the book is that Mr. Stein tries to address too wide of an audience and on the same page he will address you as wife, husband, and student -- this makes parts of the book awkward to read, and I'm surprised editors didn't catch this. Thankfully I picked this book up at my library today and didn't buy it, because frankly, I don't think it is worth the money and wasn't what I expected from a man of Mr. Stein's noteriety.
Rating:
Summary: Witty and funny
Review: Ben Stein has been a securities lawyer, a Nixon speech writer, a game-show host, a journalist, and a speaker on success and financial management. If there's a wittier polymath out there I don't know who it is. This book takes a perversely witty approach to the subject of success, not by showing you what makes for success, but by showing you 35 things you can do to avoid it. The book consists of brief essays on each of these topics, which include subjects such as never learn any useful skills, be perfectionistic, constantly criticize and never say anything nice to anybody, and in general, act like a jerk to anyone and everybody, including your friends and family (who needs them anyway?). Stein says he got the idea for the book because, as he points out in the introduction, he's done more things in life than most people, and so he's had more opportunities to see people screw up perfectly good careers and lives than just about anybody else, too. So if you understand what these things are and avoid them, you may not become amazingly successful, but you'll probably do all right and possibly will become a great success yourself someday.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Funny and Very Good
Review: Ben Stein's humor makes his good advice sink deep. You laugh, but you think. This is a great gift for young readers. It's amazing how much can be taught with humor.
Rating:
Summary: Droll Humor
Review: I found this book by accident, and I'm glad I did. This is one of the funniest books I've read since John Orozco's DELANO. Both have a very dry sense of humor. More books like these!
Rating: 
Summary: A light read from a clever and witty fella
Review: I have loved Ben Stein's dry humor since I saw him in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (who can forget that? "Bueller?...Bueller?" or "Who knows the answer...anyone?...anyone?"). If you've ever watched "Win Ben Stein's Money" on Comedy Central, you can well imagine the tone in which this book is set. Basically, it's one big sarcastic celebration of the narcisstic sociopath. If you want to ruin your life, Ben suggests remembering that the world revolves soley around YOU, and no one else. This is the theme that permeates the entire book. While humorous, though, it does become very predictable what each chapter will say, and you begin to skim the chapter headings to choose which ones you really want to read. Still, all in all a funny read on the world of me-ism.
Rating:
Summary: A light read from a clever and witty fella
Review: I have loved Ben Stein's dry humor since I saw him in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (who can forget that? "Bueller?...Bueller?" or "Who knows the answer...anyone?...anyone?"). If you've ever watched "Win Ben Stein's Money" on Comedy Central, you can well imagine the tone in which this book is set. Basically, it's one big sarcastic celebration of the narcisstic sociopath. If you want to ruin your life, Ben suggests remembering that the world revolves soley around YOU, and no one else. This is the theme that permeates the entire book. While humorous, though, it does become very predictable what each chapter will say, and you begin to skim the chapter headings to choose which ones you really want to read. Still, all in all a funny read on the world of me-ism.
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommend!!
Review: I just bought the audiobook and it is great! While it is too early to tell what impact this book will have on my life, I will certainly be listening to it often. Full of great advice, and very enjoyable to listen to. I highly recommend it!!
Rating:
Summary: Need an attitude adjustment (served with a smile)?
Review: I just discovered this jewel, and I would have to say this is one of the best books I've read in years. Now I'm going to stock up on copies to give out as gifts. Of course, Ben Stein has a wonderfully sharp wit, which is just perfect for getting his point across. Young people see him on the Comedy Channel and know he's "cool", so they'll pick up this little book and give him a chance. But the book is straight on in its advice and wisdom. This book should be required reading for everyone and most certainly should be a graduation gift for every student you know. Plus, it's the perfect size for stuffing into Christmas stockings.
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