The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties: An Irreverent Compendium of Must-Know Info from Sputnik to Smallpox and Marie Curie to Mao [Paperback]

David Matalon (Author), Chris Woolsey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2006

Banish awkward silences, boring weather talk, or (worst of all) the embarrassing conversation gaff with this pithy, hilarious guide to effortless party banter.

We’ve all been there. You’re at a party, surrounded by the most important people in your life. You’re cool. You’re casual. You’re witty and urbane. Until suddenly, quite unexpectedly, things take a turn for the worse when a subject thought to be common knowledge is lobbed your way. A hush falls over the room and every head seems to swivel expectantly in your direction.
[ART: SET THESE OFF IN A DIFFERENT COLOR?]
“Rasputin. Sure, Rasputin. The Russian guy, right? Who . . . who . . . whooooo was Russian.”

“Che Guevara? You mean the dancer?”

“Oh my God! Mao Tse-tung? They have the best chicken with cashews!”
The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties was written with just this moment in mind. In fourteen pain-free, laughter-filled chapters, authors David Matalon and Chris Woolsey brush away years of cobwebs on subjects as wide-ranging as the typical round of Jeopardy: war, science, politics, philosophy, the arts, business, literature, music, religion, and more.
Armed with The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties, you’ll know that Chicago Seven wasn’t a boy band, Martin Luther never fought for civil rights, and Franz Kafka isn’t German for “I have a bad cold.” You’ll be the smart one who’s the center of conversation—and nothing beats that feeling.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This breezy compilation of trivia on a myriad of subjects does just what the title promises: enable the reader to offer authoritative (or at least informed) commentary in social settings. Matalon and Woolsey group by subjects ranging from sports and science to war, religion and even music, and cover everything from Three Mile Island to Columbian cocaine magnate Pablo Escobar. Each subject gets a page or two of exposition, as well as pithy bon mots to throw out in order to bring up the topic, i.e "Their prices are so high only Sir Edmund Hillary shops there." The snarky humor makes for entertaining reading in small doses, though the stream of wisecracks and asides can wear thin on lengthier perusal. Still, the research is impressive and bound to give cocktail conversationalists more than enough intellectual ammunition for a lifetime of parties.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

DAVID MATALON is a film and TV screenwriter and is directing his first feature film in Los Angeles. CHRIS WOOLSEY is a freelance writer who has worked for Sony Pictures and Columbia Tri-Star. Chris also tours the country as a youth speaker.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (October 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767922999
• ISBN-13: 978-0767922999
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #600,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny AND Informative?, January 9, 2007

By 

runner30 "runner30" (LA, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties: An Irreverent Compendium of Must-Know Info from Sputnik to Smallpox and Marie Curie to Mao (Paperback)

I wouldn't have thought you could give a thing like this 5 stars -- but it deserves it! It's as if Dennis Miller wrote entries for the Encyclopedia Britannica. Some of the names & events in here I'd barely heard of -- but when you read each chapter, you realize this was one seriously important person/event in the world -- how is it possible I didn't know these details?! Actually, this book is funnier than Dennis Miller (because not as snarky), and it really made me feel like my college education was inadequate -- but it shored up those Smartness Gaps and made me laugh out loud as it did. Plus, a forward by Mike Nelson from Mystery Science Theater?! You can't lose. Buy it and put it someplace in your house where every so often you'll pick it up and read a chapter.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, November 16, 2006

By 

L. Kaldor - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties: An Irreverent Compendium of Must-Know Info from Sputnik to Smallpox and Marie Curie to Mao (Paperback)

I found this book to be an enjoyable, fun, informative and ready reference for any novice to important historical subjects.

Also, all of the other subjects covered were done in such a fun, light and memorable way i am certain i will use this book when i find myself in social situations outside of my element.

I highly recommend this book to everyone because, even if you don't need to improve your social skills, it is a spirited and enjoyable read. Highly recommend!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise is the key, April 19, 2007

By 

George J. Gatins "GG" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties: An Irreverent Compendium of Must-Know Info from Sputnik to Smallpox and Marie Curie to Mao (Paperback)

I think the book helps fill in the gaps (and we all have them) of knowledge in so many areas. I know I had a few Fridays when I could have payed closer attention in class. Now I don't feel so bad. On top of it, these guys are alot funnier than were any of my teachers.