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How to be a Man

Review by Jennifer Byrne
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
How to be a Man

How to be a Man , by Glenn O'Brien, Hardie Grant, $29.95

A handsome volume to encourage gentlemanly behaviour — the ideal gift for the modern man seeking advice on hair ("nothing perfectly symmetrical"), clothes ("real men wear good socks") and how to deliver a stinging insult ("be precise and specific; anyone can launch a barrage").

Most of the advice is sound and pungent, laced with O'Brien's lengthy elaborations on aspects of manhood, and his own experiences thereof; his observations flirt with wisdom and are blessedly free of the jargon of self-help.

In short, a most improving and entertaining work — and who could disagree with the nomination of George Clooney as the model dandy?

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