Lapham's Rules of Influence: A Careerist's Guide to Success, Status, and Self-Congratulation

by Lewis H. Lapham

Book Overview

As the editor of Harper's Magazine , Lewis Lapham has enjoyed entr e to America's "cultural elite," a class distinguished by its talent for currying favor, licking boots, and kissing ass. Now, in this... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679426051
• ISBN13: 9780679426059
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 131 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Quick, very funny, yet upsetting read

Lapham really strains the separation between comedy and tragedy in this book. It is one of the funniest books I've ever read yet I wouldn't classify it as fiction. I read it during a plane flight and gave it to a companion. Now I have to buy myself another copy because it contains so much tragically true wisdom. Wisdom that I should put into practice. Lapham actually supplies the rules of business etiquette. I wish I'd known them when I was young. My youthful idealism was not helpful. All those suck ups and yes men I detested have a much easier path to success. I used to resent them. Now I realize that they're probably just smarter than me. sigh If you enjoy this book (and you will) you'll also enjoy The American Ruling Class.

Sarcastic yet accurate!

Lapham's book is biting social commentary in the guise of sarcastic how-to manual for social climbers. More subtle than Paul Fussel's book Class, the book is devastatingly funny at times. (See the section on "Understatement".) I highly recommend reading this book before attending charity gala events. With some luck, you may recognize a few ploys from the book, and, egged on by Lapham, even tweak the social climber seated next to you -- particularly after a couple of drinks. Mainly, the book is great fun!

Reality based book, humorous because it's true.

I'm an analytical, independent-minded person. As a result, I have missed many opportunities, simply because I didn't know how to act in an appropriate, subordinate way with others.Lapham is right, "sucking up" is a valuable social skill. If you're a sociopath, don't read this book, since you already know everything. But if you're a reasonable person who has suffered because you don't understand how most people really work, this is the book for you! It is an easy read, and I revisit it often. It takes the stress out of dealing with people.

A Machiavelli for the New Millennium

Ostensibly a self-help manual for those seeking to improve their social skills, this book provides a humorous, though scathing, view of modern society on the make. After noting that the percentage of self-employed persons in America has declined from more than 90% in 1900 to approximately 5% today, Lapham makes the sobering observation that the key to success today, as it was in feudal times, is to praise and fawn over the modern-day aristocracy--our corporate and political "leaders."There will be those who think that Mr. Lapham wildly overstates his case. More thoughtful readers are likely to reach just the opposite conclusion. Like Swift, he is a highly entertaining, yet profoundly depressing, writer.

Witty, smart, funny

Some will be disgusted with Lapham's ideas, but it was a joy to read!! A great gift for the true ladder climber!!!