Tuesday, Jul. 22, 2008

World simplified, codified in 'man book'

Hey, guys, looking for a shortcut? You might find answers to your needs in this guidebook: "The Man's Manual: Poker Secrets, Beer Lore, Waitress Hypnosis and Much, Much More!" by Gregg Stebben (Skyhorse, $12.95)

Author of four books in the "Pocket Professor" series, as well as articles for Men's Health and Esquire magazines, Stebben puts together "time-saving, life-improving, woman-impressing tips" for every man. For example, here are just five things we learned from "The Man's Manual":

The cheapest, easiest way of keeping your wardrobe up to date is to update your necktie collection. (But keep the old ones because they will cycle back into fashion moments after you dispose of them.)

If you're called upon to land a jumbo jet after its flight crew becomes incapacitated, pray that you're on a Boeing 747-400, because it is equipped with an automatic landing system.

Always sleep with your shoes at the side of the bed. In a fire, earthquake or other disaster, there may be broken window glass between you and safety.

Never pay more for a pair of jeans than you would for a pair of Levi's 501s. Other jeans may look better on you, but their price

should never exceed that of a pair of Levi's 501s.

Why men fall for waitresses: "No other combination of primary elements comes close to the gratifi- cation of every man's principal desires as a beautiful woman bearing food."