The Best-Case Scenario Handbook

by John Tierney

Prepare for the best —you never know when life will take an unpredictable turn, forcing you to deal with sudden wealth, power, love, success, fame, and earthly glory. Here are step-by-step illustrated instructions on what you need to know THIS VERY MINUTE.

How to cope with a broken ATM that will not stop dispensing cash

How to accept an Academy Award

How to respond when someone you want to dump dumps you first

What to do in a pretentious restaurant when you're mistaken for the Times food critic

What to do when you look younger every birthday
...plus practical information on how to wangle a first-class upgrade from coach and how to behave when confused Palm Beach retirees erroneously elect you President of the United States.

Genres: Humor, Reference, Nonfiction, How To, Satire

150 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

John Marion Tierney is a journalist who has worked for the New York Times since 1990.

Tierney writes a science column, Findings, and the TierneyLab blog for the Times. The TierneyLab takes a contrarian view about science and society:

The Lab's work is guided by two founding principles:
  1. Just because an idea appeals to a lot of people doesn't mean it's wrong.
  2. But that's a good working theory.

Tierney identifies himself as a libertarian, and has become increasingly identified with libertarianism. His columns have been critical of rent stabilization, the war on drugs, Amtrak and compulsory recycling. His 1996 article "Recycling Is Garbage" broke the New York Times Magazine's hate mail record.

(Further information can be found at Wikipedia, and at the author's biographical page at the New York Times.)

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appreciate that there is no commitment and will not take many brain cells but will provide a handful of laugh out loud moments. Could make a great coffee table or bathroom book.

[Emerald Dodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reread this book many years after reading it for the first time. It's as funny now as it was then.

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book to prepare you for all of the best-case scenarios in life... such as if an ATM starts randomly dispensing too much money, if you win the lottery, or if your teenaged child is suddenly nice to you. It contains helpful diagrams as well (how to hide large quantities of cash in your sweater if you come across that faulty ATM, or how to pat your nice teenaged child down since the only reason they're kind is probably because they're stoned.)

This book was very entertaining. It's written in a highly accessible, amusing style that leaves you chuckling here and there. It was not laugh out loud funny, but it was ample distraction to cheer me up during the hour or less it took to read it. All in all, I am happy that I picked up this book and would gladly tell someone to go for a quick sit-down in the library. It is a perfect pick-me-up.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Technically, 3.5 stars. If such a thing existed. Which according to Goodreads, doesn't. But anyway, parts of it were really funny and I caught myself laughing out loud, but other ones were homorous but not as funny. Overall, good beach read :)

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book will throughly prepare you for all those good things in life. like if you win an Oscar or get to blackmail someone. or meet an angel. its pretty cool

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the scenarios were really funny, like the ATM one, but some of the other scenarios were just ok.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small book of humor for your entertainment.

[Deena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read