This is a book that I am interested in purchasing, but I have been unable to find a copy. The term "yuppie" intrigues me. In my opinion, it is a term to describe those that are not born with money, but aspire to be part of the upper crust. What do you the readers know about this book?
22 comments:
I own a copy which I bought new for the pricely sum of $4.95 back in 1984.
I don't want to part with it because it has many 1980's and college nostalgic associations.
It was an amusing read when the book came out because Yuppie was a new concept then. Today the book would probably strike you as pretty dated and not terribly funny.
Do you have any specific questions about it? Feel free to email me at batchelor@gmail.com
Regards
Nick
I have had mine copy since 1983. It is a funny look at mostly New York life as a young urban professional. It is a bit period dated as to the gadgets of the time, therapy, Woody Allen,Betamax and mixed marriages. It is a fun read.
Richard...
Two words: ABE BOOKS. There are 21 different copies from $4 up to $100.
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=yuppie+handbook&x=0&y=0
I've never seen (or even heard of) this book before, but if you find it, I hope you'll scan some pages to share with us.
By the way, the folks on the cover look perfect to me, apart from the shoes.
A friend of mine from college actually had an original poster size print of the cover from the 80's. It was hot.
"The term "yuppie" intrigues me. In my opinion, it is a term to describe those that are not born with money, but aspire to be part of the upper crust."
Richard,
Maybe you are not a WASP but you are without a doubt an YUPPIE.
It's a classic - check on ebay!
xoxox,
CC
Um, the acronym is spelled out on the cover. I think I read this as a kid, I remember it as a bit by-the-numbers in the OPH formula.
But yes, Yuppies are generally aspirational nouveau types. Usually implies a bit of elitist privilege, as they are young urban professionals after all.
Don't know about the book, but I remember back then hearing the term yump or maybe it was yumpie. Stood for Young Upwardly Mobile Person, which has the same aspirational theme.
I just bought it on Amazon for $4.75.
A quick google search has it for sale on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Yuppie-Handbook-State-Manual-Professionals/dp/067147684X
Richard,
As one who respects and appreciates British culture and tradition, I ask if you would be surprised if your President would greet Her Majesty with a moist kiss on the lips? So uncouth is he to both return the bust of Churchill as well as present the Queen with an i-pod of all blasted things. Your thoughts?
Cheers.
James
The term "yuppie" also spawned its economically-privileged close relation, "dinks" (double income, no kids).
I love it-"moist kiss"! :)
Response to James:
I appreciate your appreciation for the British tradition, but our president is not British. If an American president wants to give a gift that signifies the best of American products, what would it be? A GM car? Apple products are few of the best products that America makes today. Maybe he should be so uncouth as to give a framed picture of himself and Michelle? (ouch)
What about UHB? Urban haute bourgeousie-- that was one of the funniest bits of dialogue in Metropolitan. Chris Eigeman's performance is so snarky and perfect.
Strange - My ipod says "Assembled in China" maybe they had one made in the USA for HM :')
Hey,
Right next to the "Assembled in China" where does it say the iPod is designed in?
preppy handbook is better
I'd recommend "Young Fogey Handbook by Suzanne Lowry". It's a fantastic vintage book!
Yuppie is definitely parvenu, although there are very few true blue bloods left, aside from the dwindling populations of The Main Line, Beacon Hill, and the NYC Zip Code of 10021 (where I happen to reside). I find most wasps to fall into the Upper Middle Class social/economic group as described by fellow blue blood Nelson Aldrich and by scholar and blue blooded Main Liner E Digby Baltzell, who was a friend of my family's. Check out Aldrich's book, Old Money, and Baltzell's book, Philadelphia Gentlemen: The Making of a National Upper Class. Hopefully you have heard of this man, for he Coined the Term WASP in his book, The Protestant Establishment: Aristocracy and Caste in America (1964). My family's surname shows up in many of his books.
Someone should scan it so we can all enjoy this :))
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