Stein, Ben

How to Ruin Your Life

ISBN: 1561709743
Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc., 2002. First Edition, Second Printing. Hardcover. Inscribed, signed & dated by Ben Stein. "How to Ruin Your Life is a powerful self-help tool in the form of a work of humor. It is sardonic advice, presented with tongue firmly planted in cheek, explaining how people can "ruin" their lives. The essays cover topics such as "Convince Yourself You're the Center of the Universe," "Think the Worst of Everyone," and "Make the People Around You Feel Small." Seriously, though...it is an earnest warning about falling into the traps of self-destructive behavior that can ruin any man or woman's life. More than that, it comprises 35 steps that- if read and understood- provide a road map to making life work in the most effective way possible." (from front flap) The first in the acclaimed "How to Ruin..." series of humorous self-help tomes by Ben(jamin Jeremy) Stein (b. 1944), the highly successful & prolific American author-speechwriter-comedian-actor-attorney-etc. Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket, first edition, "2nd Printing, September 2002" as stated on copyright page (which also states "First Printing, September 2002), also as indicated by number sequence thereon. On the blank-decorated front endpaper, Stein has hand-written in bold black ink: "For Kathy-/ Be cool-/ (signed) Ben/ 2/1(?)/03 (underline)/ Thank you!!" A most collectible version of the first domino in Stein's popular "How to Ruin..." series, with this humorous, enthusiastic inscription, signature & date not long after first publication. Book in very fine condition with only a touch of rubbing to front, back covers & spine (blue lettering & graphics on spine completely bright & intact); very slight wear at edges & corners of same; one tiny puncture with miniscule loss of black surface paper at right area of upper front cover edge; tiny, non-penetrating dimple at parallel area of back cover. Interior very fine, substantially mint. Dust jacket very fine with light rubbing, scratching & a few short, faint creases to front, back covers, spine & flaps; a few tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #5431]

Price: $40.00