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Oct 13, 2018 ALLEN rated it liked it This is the late-1950s parody of a self-help manual that became the hit B'way
musical and movie starring Robert Morse, later revived with Matthew Broderick. It reminds me of a similar British parody-turned-movie, "Gamesmanship," better known in movie form as SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS. HOW TO SUCCEED was very New York, very Fifties, with all the casual misogyny and blinkered Gothamite point-of-view that went with it. Good fun to read, but I'm of the opinion that adding tunes and dancing did the book HOW TO SUCCEED was very New York, very Fifties, with all the casual misogyny and blinkered Gothamite point-of-view that went with it. Good fun to read, but I'm of the opinion that adding tunes and dancing did the book a big favor.
Brit Mad Men style humour. Blatant misogyny abound, most probably a by-product of its time. The names are amusing enough and because of that Dan Radcliffe cover somehow he just kept showing up during Ponty's scenes.
The Brit humour quotient increases exponentially the more one reads into this, and despite some repetitive yodelling, it's breezy and theatrical enough to entertain. According to the blurb, Stanley Bing, who gave an updated foreword, is adept at delivering good strategic advice behin Brit Mad Men style humour. Blatant misogyny abound, most probably a by-product of its time. The names are amusing enough and because of that Dan Radcliffe cover somehow he just kept showing up during Ponty's scenes.The Brit humour quotient increases exponentially the more one reads into this, and despite some repetitive yodelling, it's breezy and theatrical enough to entertain. According to the blurb, Stanley Bing, who gave an updated foreword, is adept at delivering good strategic advice behind a mask of humour; this book delivers good humour behind the mask of strategic advice. ...more
Nov 03, 2019 Lauren rated it liked it The book that inspired the more-popular musical, How to Succeed … is
straight out of 1950s America, reminiscent of those short instructional videos with the soothing voice instructing citizens how to be civic-minded and survive nuclear holocaust. It’s amusing, if long after a while. I’m both confused and impressed that someone read this book and went: “AHA! I’ll make this into a musical!” I absolutely would have bet against this idea ever succeeding (let alone being a success almost half a centur I’m both confused and impressed that someone read this book and went: “AHA! I’ll make this into a musical!” I absolutely would have bet against this idea ever succeeding (let alone being a success almost half a century
later). So maybe I need to read the book again and absorb its lessons. Quasi-recommended.
Jan 05, 2014 Sheela Word rated it it was amazing "The Prince" for middle-class America and not much like the musical it inspired. I first read "How to Succeed" as a teenager and found it absolutely hilarious. It still is, but now feels a little dated, because its purported target audience is ambitious young corporate men (the women are either wives or secretaries). This is excusable -- in the 1950's, when the book was published, that's the way things were. The satire is so sweeping and on-target that it doesn't really matter anyway. "The Prince" for middle-class America and not much like the musical it inspired. I first read "How to Succeed" as a teenager and found it absolutely hilarious. It still is, but now feels a little dated, because its purported target audience is ambitious young corporate men (the women are either wives or secretaries). This is excusable -- in the 1950's, when the book was published, that's the way things were. The satire is so sweeping and on-target that it doesn't really matter anyway. ...more
Oct 03, 2013 Alex Nagler rated it it was amazing Before you jump for joy / Remember this my boy / A secretary is not / A tinker toy
Feb 05, 2022 Susan rated it liked it There is a
secondary story of an office romance with true love in this story, so this story makes the cut for my February reading of media that has a love theme. I found How to Succeed in Business Without Really
Trying: The Dastard's Guide to Fame and Fortune to be hysterically funny, with a lot of reality with the office politics, personalities, and overall atmosphere, even though this has more of a mid-twentieth century setting. Some things really do not change much. I say that another couple of I found How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: The Dastard's Guide to Fame and Fortune to be hysterically funny, with a lot of reality with the office politics,
personalities, and overall atmosphere, even though this has more of a mid-twentieth century setting. Some things really do not change much. I say that another couple of titles for this story could be “How to Brown Nose” or "How to Fake Your Way to the Top.” Either way, you get the idea. The dénouement was funny, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: The Dastard's Guide to Fame and Fortune made me smile. Shepherd Mead hit the nail on the head. It was an evening well spent for me. 🎥 Movie version.
Gehört in jedes Büchergestell, ein Nachschlagewerk für einsame Schreibstunden. Die Einführung durch Stanley Bing ist Co-genial, eine Erleuchtung!
Humorous look at corporate life. Lots of nuggets of truth, which makes it funny. Clever illustrations. More famous as a play and film. Nice original-edition
hardback with cover, thanks to serendipity.
I saw the Broadway musical revival and the Robert Morse film of
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, so I figured I might as well read the book that inspired the hit musical that won a Pulitzer Prize. It reads like a typical "how to" guide, with chapters covering topics like how to get a job, how to get a raise, etc. But it does so in a humorous manner — definitely not to be taken seriously. I laughed at a lot of the references to the advertising agency, because of my own experience I laughed at a lot of the references to the advertising agency, because of my own
experience in the field. "Agencies employ people who do nothing but sit around and think up ideas." Too true. The section on interoffice memos is particularly hilarious as well because, even though Mead writes about memos in an overtly funny way, a lot of what he says is true — no one ever really reads memos! I know that when I get a memo in my mailbox at the office, I just look at the subject and who it's from, and then toss it in the recycle bin. While not an exact copy of the Broadway
musical, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying does contain a lot of quotes and situations that are in the show/movie. The character names are the same as well (e.g., Pierrepont Finch, J.B. Biggley, Hedy LaRue). Even if you haven't seen the movie or musical inspired by this book, it's a good read if you've ever had an office job at a big corporation...or want an office job at a big corporation. Who knows? Some of the ideas in here could actually work!
Sep 18, 2011 Michaela rated it it was amazing I picked up this little gem of a book, because I had the
pleasure of seeing Daniel Radcliffe live in the Broadway version. Daneil did such a wonderful job, especially with comedy (getting the timing just so) that I figured I would see where the inspiration came from. I was not disappointed, many of the words in this book were recycled in the play, and I had a great time remembering each scene. This book is an easy-read and quite humorous, and yet, you realize how true some of these "how-tos" are I picked
up this little gem of a book, because I had the pleasure of seeing Daniel Radcliffe live in the Broadway version. Daneil did such a wonderful job, especially with comedy (getting the timing just so) that I figured I would see where the inspiration came from. I was not disappointed, many of the words in this book were recycled in the play, and I had a great time remembering each scene. This book is an easy-read and quite humorous, and yet, you realize how true some of these "how-tos" are. It is
quite satirical and hilarious, and I bet some of these will work... I bet most did anyhow :)
Nov 05, 2011 Kiran rated it liked it I read the version with the introduction by Stanley Bing, who warned about the many changes that have occurred in the workplace since the book's 1958 release. I would have preferred to continue reading the introduction. How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying is short and undoubtedly humorous, but time has diluted Shepherd Mead's tips for success to only a handful that can actually be applied to the modern world. I read the version with the introduction by Stanley Bing, who warned about the many changes that have occurred in the workplace since the book's 1958 release. I would have preferred to continue reading the introduction. How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying is short and undoubtedly humorous, but time has diluted Shepherd Mead's tips for success to only a handful that can actually be applied to the modern world. ...more
I knew that the musical was based on a book, but I hadn't realized the book was actually the guide itself. Absolutely hilarious, and I loved seeing how they framed the musical around this, with quotes (opening lines, secretary is not a toy, etc) and creating a story from the anecdotes used to illustrate the examples. I knew that the musical was based on a book, but I hadn't realized the book was actually the guide itself. Absolutely hilarious, and I loved seeing how they framed the musical around this, with quotes (opening lines, secretary is not a toy, etc) and creating a story from the anecdotes used to illustrate the examples. ...more
Bought this book when I went to see the musical in New York (Daniel Radcliffe signed my copy...eek!😍)
Feb 01, 2019 Carolyn Page rated it really liked it Okay, this book is hilarious. I haven't seen the musical or the stage production, but if it's anything like the book I can see why it's such a hit. It's all about how to get the most credit for doing the least amount of work--and wit aside, you can see the glimmer of truth behind it. Office politics, yo! Okay, this book is hilarious. I haven't seen the musical or the stage production, but if it's anything like the book I can see why it's such a hit. It's all about how to get the most credit for doing the least amount of work--and wit aside, you can see the glimmer of truth behind it. Office politics, yo! ...more
So funny! I've been listening to the musical - now I can't wait to watch it! A short satirical book about bypassing the normal process of success and quickly making your way to the top. Hilarious - made me laugh out loud. Especially working in an ad agency (basically) and having exposure to the scene it's making fun of. Thankfully I work in a very different environment! So funny! I've been listening to the musical - now I can't wait to watch it! A short satirical book about bypassing the normal process of success and quickly making your way to the top. Hilarious - made me laugh out loud. Especially working in an ad agency (basically) and having exposure to the scene it's making fun of. Thankfully I work in a very different environment! ...more
Dec 27, 2011 Ron II rated it it was amazing This is the definative textbook for how to finagle your way to the top of the corporate food chain. You don't need credentials, connections or anything else. Just some wits, charm and lots of strategic acting. Hey, that sounds a lot like how your boss became the boss, doesn't it? This is the definative textbook for how to finagle your way to the top of the corporate food chain. You don't need credentials, connections or anything else. Just some wits, charm and lots of strategic acting. Hey, that sounds a lot like how your boss became the boss, doesn't it? ...more
Nov 17, 2016 Joe Hill rated it really liked it A marvelous sendup of corporate culture. In many ways the satire continues to hit home 60+ years later.
This book is hilarious, though it may sound absurd you still could learn a thing or two.
I'm glad I finally read this, though it didn't make me want to see the play on Broadway, even though that Harry Potter kid is in it. I'm glad I finally read this, though it didn't make me want to see the play on Broadway, even though that Harry Potter kid is in it. ...more
Nov 23, 2011 Mary rated it really liked it Still pretty fresh in spite of its era...readable.
While it is both crude and patronizing at moments, the absurdity of this book makes it absolutely hilarious. The short chapters and conversational tone make this a very quick read.
Dry British humor, which I love. After reading I wanted to see the musical, but didn't make it to NYC in time. Dry British humor, which I love. After reading I wanted to see the musical, but didn't make it to NYC in time. ...more
There is truth in laughter and in jokes.The book might be old and somewhat outdated, but the autor's sharp wit more than makes up for it. There is truth in laughter and in jokes.The book might be old and somewhat outdated, but the autor's sharp wit more than makes up for it. ...more
Aug 02, 2011 Kim A rated it really liked it I got lured in by the cover which had that harry potter kid grinning ridiculously in a suit.
This book inspired the play "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". Many lines and ideas in the book were incorporated into both the play and the 1967 film adaptation. Sometimes the book is hilarious, but mostly it is tedious. The illustrations by Claude, however, are wonderful. This book inspired the play "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". Many lines and ideas in the book were incorporated into both the play and the 1967 film adaptation. Sometimes the book is hilarious, but mostly it is tedious. The illustrations by Claude, however, are wonderful. ...more
Quirky classic If you have ever seen the musical by the same name starring Robert Morse you know what to expect.
This is not the edition I read: that one I read in my teenage years. Several decades after the first edition, in other words, but long before the present day. Most people seem to compare this to dramatic (well, musical) versions, which they saw before they read the book. I think I've seen part of a staged (movie?) version, but I KNOW I read the book first. I approached this book in the period when I was reading the 'gamesmanship' books: and
in the same spirit. That spirit was sort of a combination Most people seem to compare this to dramatic (well, musical) versions, which they saw before they read the book. I think I've seen part of a staged (movie?) version, but I KNOW I read the book first. I approached this book in
the period when I was reading the 'gamesmanship' books: and in the same spirit. That spirit was sort of a combination of bemusement, amusement, and transfixed horror. Indeed, I was reluctant to read the book, because it started with the assumption that I WANTED to 'succeed in business', which I most emphatically did NOT. Reading it, I concluded, as others have, that there's more truth in this book than there should be. I found it too realistic to be really funny, and it more than
confirmed my strong reservations about 'business' as a way to run a railroad...or ANY social process. It's sort of a midrange amalgam between Murder Must Advertise and Dilbert. Funny...but with a bitter aftertaste.
Pretty funny. Not so useful.
Shepherd Mead was one of those men dogged by success. After graduating from Washington University he went to New York to practice being an intellectual and ended up as a junior executive and then a vice-president of Benton & Bowles. His biting attacks against society only gained him greater fame and success, and he finally resigned and fled to Europe with his wife and three children in 1957. He sp
Shepherd Mead was one of those men dogged by success. After graduating from Washington University he went to New York to practice being an intellectual and ended up as a junior executive and then a vice-president of Benton & Bowles. His biting attacks against society only gained him greater fame and success, and he finally resigned and fled to Europe with his wife and three children in 1957. He spent a year in Geneva and then went to England in 1958.
As an author, Mead published over fifteen books, including: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Big Ball of Wax, The Admen, The Four Window Girl, How to Succeed at Business Spying By Trying and How to Succeed in Tennis Without Really Trying. Related ArticlesCross-genre explorers, history nerds, and recovering English majors will want to spend some time with this specially curated collection... “Avoid not only mustaches, but also sideburns and chin whiskers. Men with facial hair are seldom trusted.” — 0 likes “Be Decisive. Your own mind must always be clear, and made up, whether or not you understand what everybody is talking about.” — 0 likes More quotes…Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Who is the cast of How Do You Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway?Nick Jonas. J. Pierrepont Finch.. Rose Hemingway. Rosemary Pilkington.. Beau Bridges. J.B. Biggley.. Tammy Blanchard. Hedy La Rue.. Michael Urie. Bud Frump.. Sara Ford. Smitty.. Michael Park. Bert Bratt.. How do you get ahead in business cast?Robert Morse. J. Pierpont Finch.. Michele Lee. Rosemary Pilkington.. Rudy Vallee. J. B. Biggley.. Anthony Teague. Bud Frump.. Maureen Arthur. Hedy LaRue.. Murray Matheson. Benjamin Ovington.. Kay Reynolds. Smitty.. Sammy Smith. Mr. Twimble/Wally Womper.. Did Michelle Lee Sing in how do you succeed in business?In the film, she sings the full version in an earlier scene, making Finch's washroom version the reprise. Michele Lee's movie debut.
Who played Daniel Radcliffe in How do you succeed in business?The production starred Daniel Radcliffe as J. Pierrepont Finch, John Larroquette as J.B. Biggley, Rose Hemingway as Rosemary Pilkington, Tammy Blanchard as Hedy La Rue, Christopher J. Hanke as Bud Frump, Rob Bartlett as Mr.
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