Asking for a Friend: Three Centuries of Advice on Life, Love, Money, and Other Burning Questions from a Nation Obsessed

Synopsis

A Delightful History Of Americans' Obsession With Advice And Self-help -- From Poor Richard To Dr. Spock To Miss Manners. -- From Book Jacket. We've Always Loved Seeking Advice-- So Long As It's Anonymous, And As Long As It's Clear That We're Not Asking For Ourselves; We're Just Asking For A Friend. And From The Colonial Era On, There Have Always Been People Eager To Step Up And Offer Advice, Some Of It Lousy, Some Of It Thoughtful, But All Of It Read And Debated By Generations Of Americans. Weisberg Takes Readers On A Tour Of The Advice-givers Who Have Made Their Names, And Sometimes Their Fortunes, By Telling Americans What To Do. -- Adapted From Jacket. Part One: Old, Wise Men -- In Praise Of The Maggot: John Dunton -- Politeness Vs. Honesty, Part 1: Lord Chesterfield -- Funny Business: Benjamin Franklin -- American Guru: William Alcott -- Part Two: As A Friend -- Sob Sister: Dorothy Dix -- Happy Thoughts: Dale Carnegie -- Everything Changes: Dear Abby And Ann Landers -- Indulgence Is A Virtue: Mildred Newman -- Part Three: Experts Among Us -- Honorary Pants: Sylvia Porter -- Doctor's Orders: Benjamin Spock -- Death's Best Friend: Elizabeth Ku˜bler-ross -- Guide To The Stars: Joan Quigley -- Part Four: Advice For All, By All -- Stand By Me: Harville Hendrix And Helen Hunt -- Politeness Vs. Honesty, Part 2: Judith Martin -- How To Coach A Life Coach: Martha Beck -- The King Of Quora: Michael King. Jessica Weisberg. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 253-288) And Index.