Asking for a friend : three centuries of advice on life, love, money, and other burning questions from a nation obsessed

Summary: "A delightful history of Americans' obsession with advice and self-help -- from Poor Richard to Dr. Spock to Miss Manners." -- From book jacket.

Item details

ISBN: 9781568585345
ISBN: 1568585349
Physical Description: print
x, 304 pages ; 25 cm
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: New York, NY : Nation Books, 2018.
Copyright: ©2018

Contents / Notes

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 253-288) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

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 Kübler-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.