The Curmudgeon's Guide to Getting Ahead

Dos and Don'ts of Right Behavior, Tough Thinking, Clear Writing, and Living a Good Life

By: Charles Murray

Narrated by: Charles Murray

In the best-selling tradition of Eats, Shoots & Leaves, a gently curmudgeonly but invaluable guide to the dos and don'ts of the workplace

Best-selling social historian Charles Murray has written a delightfully fussy - and entertaining - book on the hidden rules of the road in the workplace - and in life - from the standpoint of an admonishing, but encouraging, workplace grouch and taskmaster. Why the curmudgeon? The fact is that most older, more senior people in the workplace are closet curmudgeons. In today's politically correct world, they may hide their displeasure over your misuse of grammar or your overly familiar use of their first name without an express invitation. But don't be fooled by their pleasant demeanor. Underneath, they are judging and evaluating your every move and utterance. And in most cases, if you want to advance in your career, it is their approval you need to win.

In the course of this pithy and powerful book, Murray tells us the proper etiquette for email, how to stop using such overused and fuzzy phrases as "reaching out" and "sharing", his thoughts on piercings and tattoos and proper dress, the importance of rigor in language and good writing, why being judgmental is good, and other curmudgeonly pieces of wisdom and advice. He suggests how to stand out at work (work long hours when you are young and unencumbered by family and other obligations), when to use strong language and when to avoid it, and offers a bare-bones usage primer on how to avoid confusing words like "advice" and "advise", which look or sound similar but have distinct meanings.

Written with both verve and reserve and drawing on the core values that have historically made good manners the best lubricant to social and professional advancement, The Curmudgeon's Guide to Getting Ahead is an invaluable resource for anyone hoping to land the job of their dreams - or get ahead in their career of choice.

©2014 Charles Murray (P)2014 Blackstone Audiobooks

Really good

Great piece of advice, for a 24 year old like me. Very funny ans witty

Great Book for anyone graduating high-school

Great Book for anyone graduating high-school or college. An excellent listen and some great tips.

The first half is great.

I enjoyed the first half. The writing is beautiful, the explanations are elegant, and Mr. Murray reads his own work really well. I recommend it to my step-daughter and all other young people.

The second half gets all metaphysical and feels self-indulgent. Quit before you get there is my advice. Do that and you probably got your money's worth already.

Simply a must!

Provided a great perspectived on how live should be lived, or at the very least showed one interresting and worth while way of doing so.

Getting ahead the right way

Excellent tips for Life. I appreciate the solid moral foundation from which these principles rise. Last several chapters were my favorite, but the whole book is worthwhile.

Very helpful for millennials!

I bought this book because my boss suggested it. I'm in my late 20s and he's in his 50s. In the past he's told me that I "reek of millenialism." After listening to this book, I understand why he said that.

I would highly suggest this book to any 20-something year old who desires to understand his curmudgeon boss better. You may actually appreciate him for his personality and behavior afterwards--and you may even want to adopt some of his behavior yourself!

An enjoyable book with some solid advice

This book is wholly advice, so it comes as no surprise that there are some solid bits of advice throughout it. It's primarily for 20-somethings who are either just about to finish college, or somewhere in their first or second 'real' job. If you're not in that category, it likely won't help in so vital a capacity.

A well-written guide to a happy & meaningful life for young adults

Charles Murray is arguably my favorite writer of the modern era. In this book, he shares his well-grounded thoughts for any ambitious and intelligent young adults in realizing the best of their faculties so as to achieve happiness and become contributing members of the society.

Good Book: From one curmudgeon to another

Any additional comments?

I have always respected the research of Charles Murray. He has a history of conducting socially important research, citing solid peer reviewed evidence to support his hypothesis, and fearlessly stating his points regardless of controversy. His books (The Bell Curve, Coming Apart, Real Education...) challenge conventional wisdom and social assumptions about our culture and behaviors.

Murray's "The Curmudgeon's Guide to Getting Ahead" (2014) is meant to be a "how to" book for young adults relative to blending into an established corporate culture and engaging in behaviors associated with successful adult independence.

The big problem? The audience "Curmudgeon" is intended to help would probably never be interested reading this book. Murray hammers these young adults for their tattoos, casual use of profanity/obscenity, and faulty applications of English grammar. "Curmudgeon" is broken down into sequential chapters that permit Murray's to dispense his personal advice to young adults.

Personally, I enjoyed "Curmudgeon". However, I am 49 years old and may be defined by my employees as a curmudgeon. Overall, Murray has a interesting and engaging book that other curmudgeons will use to validate their perceptions of the younger generations. Reading "Curmudgeon" feels a little like preaching to the choir. On my rank order book rating system, I place "Curmudgeon" 40th of the 68 books I have read over the last two years.

Timeless wisdom

This book is a fantastic read if you want to be a real adult not just a kid in an adult's body ie. a kidult.