Customer Reviews

Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manners, Confidence, and Style to Get Ahead

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Before you read any further, put any preconceived notions that you have about Diddy's former personal assistant Fonzworth Bentley out of your mind. Fonzworth Bentley a.k.a. Derek Watkins' new book Advance Your Swagger is a modern etiquette book that everyone needs to have on their bookshelf. Some of the things you will learn in this book are simply priceless. Some things include: the art of tipping appropriately, how to dine at a fine restaurant, proper cell phone usage, email and text messaging guidelines, and 15 things every man and women should have in his or her closet. There are even pictured examples to go along with some of the tips (i.e. table settings) so that the reader can actually see what he's talking about. Bentley effortlessly teaches you the power of good old-fashioned manners that is often not taught in today's society. This book also includes "Bent Hints" to go along with some of the topics in the book. Advance Your Swagger is an etiquette book that everyone should own no matter how large or small your bank account.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

Essentially a 'Mister-Manners' for younger people. Small accessible book... Easily assimilated advice intended to communicate the value and purpose of manners... Served up with Bentley's dash of style. (Remember the famous pic of Fonsworth (Fonzworth) Bentley holding umbrella over P. Diddy? Of the two, guess who had more pzazz!!!)
A few full-term adults could benefit from Bentley's advice as well!
Perfect for this graceless age. At least it's encouraging to see that such a book exists.
Only complaint: Maybe a little too simplistic at times.

This book definatly teaches you some fundamental points to becoming the swaggerific person you want to become.

Derek a.k.a. "Fonzworth Bentley" has taken the time to share things that all civilized individuals should know and care about. In this particular period when so many artists are focusing on the obscure and unimportant, Derek manages to infuse a breath of fresh air into the hip-hop community. I am confident that he has put together a timeless piece of literature!

I demand that Mr. Bentley write another (and longer) book. This one was way too entertaining, full of photos, informative, descriptive, and conversational. I couldn't have been more disappointed that I finished reading it in one good sitting. He covered how to tie a necktie, bowtie, how to eat at a dinner table, how to talk on your cell phone and when (I especially appreciated that chapter because I hate loud cell phone people), and tipping. I definitely hope there's a new season of "From Gs to Gents" because I respect what he did with those young men. The most rebellious cats came off looking classy by the end of the show. I think this book is very important, and I wish it was required reading. However, I'm confused about Bentley's take on how pants should fit considering in the C.O.L.O.U.R.S. video, all of those guys were flooding (or maybe that was just for humor's sake). I can't get into the bowtie deal or corduroy, but other than that, I think his style techniques were dead on, especially the no sagging part. But he left out one huge part--how to talk, date, and be in a relationship with classy women. I was looking forward to a chapter on not whistling, honking horns at women, screaming "Eh shawty," and butt grabbing in the club, etc. Put that in your next book, Mr. Bentley. Please!

This book was very informative and the pictures were clear. I was very pleased with the book.

Something for everyone to relate to in this short, yet informative book by Mr. Fonzworth Bentley. It's quite evident that he put a lot of time and detail into this product. Well polished for the reader. I'm impressed!

This book prepares you for successGetting to the Root of your Problem: 365 Days of Inspirational Thinking in virtually any industry!

Yes, this is a slim volume full of illustrations and things that might seem to be common sense, such as "don't chew with your mouth open." But have a look around - seems like many people have forgotten common sense, or never knew it to begin with. I see people not only chewing with their mouth open but eating buckets of greasy fried chicken on the subway and tossing the bones and dirty napkins on the floor. People blather on their cell phones in inappropriate places like four-star restaurants, hospital emergency rooms, and movie theatres. Everyone is confused about who picks up the check and some women think it's always the man's responsibility (tip from Fonzworth: whoever does the asking-out-to-dinner should be prepared to pay the check. It's okay for old-fashioned guys to want to pay for their girl but even old-fashioned guys love to be treated sometimes).

If you have even a modicum of manners and etiquette, you might not get much from this book. But if you are a tween or teenager on the cusp of manhood (it is really intended for men, although there is a lot of useful information for women as well), this book might prove quite useful. And if you are an adult who has come to believe that things like hostess gifts, RSVPs, and thank-you cards don't matter, that sweatpants are appropriate attire for any occassion, that you can talk on your cell phone wherever you damn please, or that it's fine to bring a posse of friends when you are invited to a dinner party, then this book can really help straighten you out.

This book is awesome i wish it was more information i started reading it and i couldn't put it down until i finished the whole book.