Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys: A Fairly Short Book - Hardcover

Dave Barry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0679404864 ISBN 13: 9780679404866

Publisher: Random House, 1995

Synopsis

In this wholly original book--except for one classic column on testosterone--Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dave Barry explains why the American guy is not to be confused with a husband, father, hunk, or intellectual, and provides tips for women who want to better understand the species.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

ly original book--except for one classic column on testosterone--Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dave Barry explains why the American guy is not to be confused with a husband, father, hunk, or intellectual, and provides tips for women who want to better understand the species.

Reviews

Unlike many previous books by Miami Herald humor columnist Barry, this is not a collection of newspaper pieces but an original work that poses the question, What is a guy? Barry's guy is given neither to macho domination nor to sensitive introspection (as a mere man might be); he likes mechanical things and pointless challenges for their own sake; he has no well-defined moral code but knows how to extemporize; he fails at communicating his inner feelings (if he has any). After presenting a scientific quiz with which a male can assess his "guyness quotient," the author treats the biological nature, social development, medical concerns and domestic side of guys. He even provides a chapter for the woman who is contemplating having a relationship with such a creature. The dad who receives this winning piffle for Father's Day will ask, "What'd you give me this for?" (if he's a guy). Author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Going gonzo on time-tested verities--that guys love gadgets, beer, sex, and sports to the exclusion of all else--exaggerator extraordinaire Barry expatiates on the essentials of guyness. It is distinct from manliness, as illustrated by the following popular guy humor: "Men Went to the Moon, but Guys Invented Mooning." In Barry-verse, guys are immature, appetite driven, uncommunicative, and vastly entertained by bodily emitted noises; they invented business travel, the office betting pool, and bungee-jumping; their all-purpose expression of eloquence is "You Suck!" ; and the grand unifying experiences of guydom are a passion for things that go boom and a wincing memory of that blow to the 'nads. A little earthy, a lotta fun, these sophmoric musings maintain the reputation of the bombastic booster of balderdash. Wayne N. Garth

Books about women are published regularly throughout the year. However, books about guys (not to be confused with men) often are published just in time for Father's Day. This is because the guys who write these books suddenly remember it's time to earn a living. More likely, they are reminded by their editors (probably women) or their wives to earn a living. Barry's is an original work, not merely a collection of his columns. It's outrageously funny, fresh, and ribald. This is a real guy's book, covering the role of guys in history, their biological and social development, their medical concerns ("it's just a sprain"), and their domestic side, with a bonus essay on orgasms. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 1/95.] Comic novelist/screenwriter Friedman offers a witty but less hilarious book on the midlife travails of the slightly older guy (SOG). The SOG is concerned about enough bran, too many eggs, and when the medical profession will make up its mind about the prostate gland. This near-SOG reviewer is already uneasy with his new doctor, a mostly younger woman (MYW), whose attention is diverted annually to his prostate. Barry's book is destined to be a best seller. Friedman's may end up in the bargain bin sooner.?Joe Accardi, Northeastern Illinois Univ. Lib., Chicago
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0679404864
• ISBN 13: 9780679404866
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 189