Death By Powerpoint (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: mandatory fun, The Art of Office Politics, Preserving Your Soul, Corporate Lingo (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Flocker brings the mocking humor from his Metrosexual Guide to Style and its follow-ups to the workplace, but the effect is like throwing a fresh coat of paint on a rundown old car. Much of his advice is exactly what you'd find in any other handbook to the corporate environment, like the chestnut about dressing for the job one level higher than your current position, while still maintaining your individual sense of style. Even worse are the passages that haven't been fresh since the mid-1990s, like a list of warning signs for e-mail addiction or making fun of "action item" and other corporate buzzwords. When Flocker does venture into original territory, his anti-corporate humor is stuck on the level of juvenile pranks. He recommends messing with your co-workers' heads by moving things on their desks when they aren't looking or interrupting meetings with silly questions. There's also a slew of wacky new vocabulary terms culled from the Internet, several of which actually have very little to do with the workplace. Marginal illustrations liven things up, but even they aren't as entertaining as reading a Dilbert collection—which would better equip readers for office politics as well. (Nov. 30)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"A funny (and thoroughly useful) manual on how to survive working for [a corporation]." -- (Metro, 10/30/2006)

"Flocker will help you make the most of being back at work now that the summer is over." -- Hamptons, October 2006

"Gives critical information on surviving...Wrap up this great stocking stuffer." -- Playboy.com, 2006 Holiday Gift Guide

"If you have the `pleasure' to work in an office setting, this is required reading. Thankfully, it's also humorous." -- Anchorage Daily News, 12/8/06

"Much here is laugh-out-loud funny, but there is plenty of perceptive analysis and sage advice as well." -- Hartford Courant, 1/7/07

"Well illustrated and distinctive." -- The Bookseller (UK), 7/14/06

"Wildly humorous...smart-mouth author Michael Flocker nails...amusing but serious pages." -- Careers Now, 11/12/06

"Wry humor drives its workplace points home." -- (Biz Books, 11/05/2006)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (October 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306815125
• ISBN-13: 978-0306815126
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #888,842 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read (and laugh!), December 30, 2006

By	corporate slave (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

As the stereotypical corporate slave that I am, I found this book very amusing, helpful and practical. I've never been one to get involved in office politics, but after reading this I learned that there are smart ways to get involved without getting burned. The book gives very clever ideas for breaking up the monotony of the 9 to 5 grind, "survival" tips for that horrible coworker you want to strangle, and hilarous tricks for making boring meetings entertaining. Overall, I thought it was a hilarious jab at how pathetic we have become, yet it has practical ideas on advancing your career and making the most of your job. Excellent (and quick!) read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A humor book that is actually funny!, February 2, 2008

By	L. B. (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Death By Powerpoint (Paperback)

Why is this book so cheap? If you like the TV show "The Office," you will LOVE this book. Funny, interesting research, great quotes, all mixed in with some practical advice. I actually laughed out loud a few times! This makes a great gift... the low price is just gravy!!!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny I've been here before, November 20, 2006

By	Sandra Verrier "Geek Goddess" (Lexington, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

I was starting to create quite a raucous in the bookstore when I picked up this little gem. Even though I paid way more than if I had ordered it online here, I just couldn't let it go. Anyone who's been through the corporate world the past 10 years will get it because you were there, you lived it, and you faced death by powerpoint on a frequent basis. The little pictures that go along with it are absolutely hysterical. [...], and the book should have included a few more current trends. Buy it if you'd like that little trip down memory lane. It's ok, you can laugh about it now.