From Publishers Weekly
Just as The Official Preppy Handbook exposed wearers of Lacoste polos and drinkers of Bloody Marys, Lanham’s new book delves into the lives of those who deem themselves too cool for school. Hipsters, he says, are the ones you see around town smoking European cigarettes, wearing platform shoes and reading biographies of Che Guevara. Lanham, editor of the site FreeWilliamsburg.com (Williamsburg being a favorite New York City hipster enclave), does his best to dissect the personality types, the hangouts, the colleges and even the facial hair of the modern-day Hipster. There’s no main narrative per se, rather a prolonged pastiche of sarcastic observances and witty asides. And in a clever marketing gimmick, Lanham compiles a raft of lists detailing crucial Hipster music (including the Beastie Boys record Paul’s Boutique) and literature (Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity), which are sure to spark debate. Topping it off is a questionnaire, to suss out whether or not you could qualify for Hipsterdom (e.g., if you subscribe to Wallpaper, you’re in; if Maxim’s more your speed, you’re out). The truly hip wouldn’t touch this with a 10-foot pole, of course, but they aren’t really Lanham’s target.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"The Hipster Handbook. . .proves that behind every goatee, shaggy hairdo and baggy blouse, there's still a lot of preening."
-- The New York Times
"The Hipster Handbook is your official guide to the language, culture and style of hipsters young and old?. There's even a dating guide for various hipster combinations." ?Los Angeles Times
"Describes everything cool?the slang, the dress code, the career path, greetings and (of course) taste in music kids from the Inner Mission to Williamsburg ascribe to--in pitch-perfect detail?. [T]his guy clearly has some insider information himself. Gently teasing and hilarious." ?Philadelphia Weekly
"The Hipster Handbook is The Official Preppy Handbook for people who wear Atari T-shirts." ?Esquire
-- The New York Times
"The Hipster Handbook is your official guide to the language, culture and style of hipsters young and old?. There's even a dating guide for various hipster combinations." ?Los Angeles Times
"Describes everything cool?the slang, the dress code, the career path, greetings and (of course) taste in music kids from the Inner Mission to Williamsburg ascribe to--in pitch-perfect detail?. [T]his guy clearly has some insider information himself. Gently teasing and hilarious." ?Philadelphia Weekly
"The Hipster Handbook is The Official Preppy Handbook for people who wear Atari T-shirts." ?Esquire
