THE OFFICIAL PREPPY HANDBOOK, by Lisa Burnback and Co., is as true a classic as the earlier Latin and Greek classics which "preppIES" studIE...er, studY...at their private, expensive, preparatory schools. It is an easily read, easily understood book, filled with real knowledge of the "preppy", (ie: WASP, ie: White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, ie: majorly Super-Wealthy) way of life. It has many photos and drawings, and, though it sometimes stoops to satire, DOES have enough real knowledge of customs, values, and ATTITUDES of the WASPS, (and other wealthy people of other ethnic groups....who just may have become wealthy by adapting and immitating these attitudes and lifestyles), for you to, perhaps, join this elite group yourself, should you so wish. Reading this book in itself won't make you wealthy, of course, (sigh!) -- but it WILL give you an insight into what attitudes to have, (and, pehaps even more importantly, which to AVOID -- at ALL costs), to help make it easier for you to enter this rarefied social strata, (especially at social gatherings....where friendships are formed....!)
Reading this book, it is amazing to realize, (or "realiSe" -- Anglicisms and English spelling is, of course, to be desired, when amongst Anglo-Saxon people!), how little thngs have changed since the 1970s, when first it was published. Oh, yes, SOME more old and wonderful stores have gone out of business...but the good news is that at least one of the stores listed as "Gone but not forgotten"...Abercrombie & Fitch.....has happily ressurrected itself!
Easily read, this book should become your "second Bible", if it your aim to rise in THE highest society. Try to separate the knowledge from the mere satire....but even in the midst of the satire, there is knowledge here. Some differences I have discerned:
W.A.S.P.s seem to RELAX, where as other ethnics are often nervous; W.A.S.P.s will "go with the flow", whereas those from other etnicities might say, "well...I'm not exactly used to doing that....", making everyone uncomfortable....etc.
Get TWO copies of this precious book -- one for reading at home, one for reading whilst outside the home. And just to be sure, and to keep angry and/or envious eyes of others AWAY from you, make a paper book-cover, (perhaps of the stock-market pages of today's newspaper), so that you can not only read this book outside of your home, but, (with quiet delight), can practice the "Preppy" art, and value, of PRIVACY!
The formal terms "Prep", and "Preppy", derive from the book and movie of the 1970s, "LOVE STORY". Yet the values in this book, (and of W.A.S.P.ishness itself), are far, far older. (Roman patricans, anyone? Ancient Egyptian nobility?)
"The Official Preppy Handbook" is, of course, ALSO the inspiration for later, (but only by a few years), classics about ENGLISH preppies -- who are called "Sloans". If you like "The Official Preppy Handbook", you will absolutely go into RAPTURES for "The Official Sloane ranger Handbook", "The Official Sloane Ranger Diary", and the more recent, but no less elegant, "Cooler, Faster, More Expensive".
(And don't forget to read "The Royals", by Kitty Kelley).
.......................................................
All thoughout my schooling, (at New York City state schools....otherwise known as New York City Public schools), I KNEW there was another world out there, where PRIVATE schools were the first entry-level step.
"The Official Preppy Handbook" is my -- and your -- guide to the basic attitudes, ideas, and rituals of this world. Read it always! I do!
I herein join the ever-growing chorus of those who want, desperately, for this classic book to be re-printed. I mean, the works of Ovid, and Homer are still repinted -- why not this
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