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True Prep

Lafont

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Starting second thread regarding new True Prep book, by the same author who wrote Preppie Handbook in the '80s. The first thread someone contributed has received few responses and it immediately got silly, as so often happens here....
Some opinions here, please. I saw the book for the first in Brooks Brothers (yes, they have their hands on this one too, with their cover and higher price) but I see the book is available through the usual outlets and at the usual price reductions.

I just ordered it on Amazon, myself. It looked yesterday far too much "my thing" to even have to browse through a copy first, as I almost always do before purchasing.
 

kabert

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I was all set to buy it on Amazon a couple days ago. (Years back in the early 80s, I read and re-read the original Preppy Handbook.) But, after reviewing the reader comments and looking at Amazon's sample pages, I was no longer compelled to buy it, and didn't. Perhaps I will after I check it out in person.
 

Mr.K

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Check out the reviews on Ask Andy. It is not being reviewed very good. People seem to think it has strayed far from the first book and it seems to be an add for todays brands, such as J.Crew and the like.
 

coolshoes

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I have it . Paid $10 plus change on Amazon. It's a silly book that has it's moments. Clothing is not of consequence.
 

Dewey

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Am I the only one who remembers the original Preppy Handbook as satire? It marked the death of "prep" in my mid-atlantic US high school.
 

dunga

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Originally Posted by Lafont
Starting second thread regarding new True Prep book, by the same author who wrote Preppie Handbook in the '80s. The first thread someone contributed has received few responses and it immediately got silly, as so often happens here....
Some opinions here, please. I saw the book for the first in Brooks Brothers (yes, they have their hands on this one too, with their cover and higher price) but I see the book is available through the usual outlets and at the usual price reductions.

I just ordered it on Amazon, myself. It looked yesterday far too much "my thing" to even have to browse through a copy first, as I almost always do before purchasing.

This was unwise. It would have been be far more exciting an interesting to find a copy in a Dubuque thrift shop ten years from now with a sticker from a defunct book shop. That way, for $1.89, you would have the pleasure of discovering whether or not the book shop catered to the carriage trade, possibly making your used book a rare and valuable luxury item. Now all you have is a crappy book.
 

Lafont

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Probably some truth here; indeed, I did purchase the first one many years after it came out - probably from a library sale. Although I've enjoyed a lot from the first one, it always seemed somewhat inconsistent as to its slant. Some of the text and illustrations clearly made fun of clothes, accessories, sexual and other habits, parties, club life, ideas about education, and other areas of lifestyle, while some of it was kind of serious reference information as to real stores, real restaurants, real neighborhoods (though that word was used loosely), etc. Without really looking through it yet I'm thinking the new book probably has the same dual personalities.
eh.gif
 

Dewey

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Maybe it wasn't satire. I have not looked at it since the year it came out. I don't know what was the intent. All I remember is that it made a lot of kids stop dressing that way. Could be my high school was unusually ignorant, but I hope not, since it was one of the better ones in the state. Like maybe another way to put it is the OPH signaled that preppy had "jumped the shark."

I don't mean to question anyone's interest or make fun of anyone. I am just confused when it is invoked with anything approaching must respect or even reverence.
 

Lafont

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The ones I saw at BB were, I think, $24.95 whereas the retail price elsewhere $19.95. BB has its "quality" cover, etc. So far there's no paperback version, like the 1980 edition had. I've looked through it somewhat (mine won't arrive until at least next week) and notice the new version seems to have longer passages of text - not quite as readible. I'm guessing the 1980 version has more variety in what it covers - more briefer entries. The 2010 looks very good, though.
 

Lafont

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I've been enjoying the book a great deal. Two things I haven't found - reference to men's eyewear and political parties. Has anyone seen a reference to these? 1980 volume said preppies prefer tortoiseshell and of the lighter-toned variety. Both books, to me, are so so Republican-oriented, but again - I haven't seen a direct reference to the political parties in the 2010 book (don't know about 1980 book).
 

Alan B.

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I met Lisa Birnbach in SF at a book signing last month. An amazingly attractive and gracious woman. She looks more 37 than her real age of 57. As for the book, no comment.
 

W.R.

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Originally Posted by Lafont
I've been enjoying the book a great deal. Two things I haven't found - reference to men's eyewear and political parties. Has anyone seen a reference to these? 1980 volume said preppies prefer tortoiseshell and of the lighter-toned variety. Both books, to me, are so so Republican-oriented, but again - I haven't seen a direct reference to the political parties in the 2010 book (don't know about 1980 book).

The 1980 book refers to the GOP on some occasions, iirc. Of course, they are Republican-oriented?
 

Vintage Gent

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Originally Posted by Mr.K
...it seems to be an add for todays brands, such as J.Crew and the like.

In that regard, then, it would be much like its predecessor. The Official Preppy Handbook was certainly notable for its specificity when it came to clothing.
 

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