Here’s an excerpt from a college reporter’s review of Happy Hour is for Amateurs.
On the surface, Happy Hour is For Amateurs is a story of drugs, debauchery, and promiscuity. If that is not your style, however, do not be afraid.
This book is much more than that. It is a story that brings out the truth about “the world’s worst profession”: law. It is a story about escape from an unfulfilling life.
Here’s a law professor’s suggestion that PhilaLawyer seek therapy.
Some media flack sent me an ARC of Happy Hour is for Amateurs: A Lost Decade in the World’s Worst Profession by “The Philadelphia Lawyer.” If the foul mouthed ramblings of a profound narcissist with serious substance abuse problems sounds like a fun read, this is the book for you. As for me, I found The Philadelphia Lawyer to be a deeply unpleasant fellow with a seriously flawed moral compass who blames the legal profession for his own psychological and emotional failures and inadequacies.
Funny they’d reach such different conclusions. Whatever your view of it, the Metro thinks it’s a great Thanksgiving read.
This over-the-top (seriously, some of the writing was almost too much to handle – but in a good way) memoir will make you feel much better after your parents spending three hours talking about why going to law school instead of playing in that “silly little band of yours” is a good idea for you.
It’s odd, I think all three reviews put a positive spin on the book in their own right.
PL: The only bad review is a tepid one.
I do not know how in the hell I have managed to stumble upon you and this Rudius website but I have. Everything happens for a reason I guess. Anyway I have just ordered your book from Amazon and I am ready to read it already. I work with criminal ADA’s all day which means I have no friends in this god forsaken town except for my wife. Anyway I think your book will make me laugh..good luck with it man.
PL: I hope it does. Let me know.
And my best wishes with your work, and your hopefully improving social life.
Just to follow up I read the book and enjoyed the entire thing. I almost felt at times it was turning into some kind of therapy for me for whatever that may mean. If I can share any kind of philosophy to you is that hangovers are a state of mind; it’s just a matter of mind over illness if you can kid yourself like that. I geniunely hope the book does well for you and I will spread the word for you down here in Louisiana.
PL: I agree. I think a lot of the hangovers were exacerbated by the surroundings. Thanks on spreading the word. This is a cult book. Recruiting fellow miscreants to The Movement is greatly appreciated.
The Creed’s easy to memorize. Shorter than the Ten Commandments: Think For Yourself and Scrutinize Everything.
I am Jack’s complete love for this book.
I have read quite a few authors who fancy themselves “thinkers,” but you are the only one who is actually worthy of the label. While other authors made me laugh at their sense of self-importance and pseudo-intellect that they try to pass off as wisdom, you made me go, “Wow, this guys knows what he’s talking about!” I don’t agree with you politics (I’m a Democrat who, politically, is more in line with the green party), but I’ve learned quite a bit from you in every other category.
You’re writing style is good, too. I love how your story starts with something and completely evolves into something else, only to come back to what you initially started with. I’ve seen many try to do it, but you’re really good at it. Captivating stories with good lessons inside.
PL: Thank you. I think the art of talking about something with credibility is admitting none of us can really be certain of anything. The only fool in any debate is the guy who claims to know the unequivocal answer to the problem.
Certainty… It sits at the base of every regressive structure in this country. Seventy percent of smart and interesting is taking in all sides of the debate and shifting as you learn where you’ve been wrong. If only we were country of those kinds of thinkers, as a opposed to a “debate culture” of assholes screaming past one another, trying to win a series of zero sum game where every first prize is another slew of arguments.