Grumpy Old Men: The Official Handbook by Stuart Prebble

by Stuart Prebble

Do you know someone who is infuriated if kept on hold for more than a minute? Who is positively enraged if someone answers their phone during dinner? If so, you've probably encountered the phenomenon of the grumpy old man. Packed with funny chapters such as who are we, what are we grumpy about, and how can you spot the signs of grumpiness coming on, this book will leave even the grumpiest of men with a grin on his face.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Comedy

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[MAKU · Rating 2 out of 5]

Het leek me wel grappig zo'n boekje van een Grumpy old man, vol ergernissen, maar het viel een beetje tegen. Er zaten wel wat leuke stukjes tussen, maar veel vond ik niet zo origineel, niet zo grappig en ook niet altijd goed geschreven.

[Vibha · Rating 5 out of 5]

To start with I completely relate to the episodes in the book. I have done some of them and I have seen some doing other things. What is funny is that it is all true and in your face. This book just helps you embrace the fact. If you are a grumpy you will love yourself more and sadly continue to be grumpy all your life.
Sad for your loved ones but you will get a boost to your confidence. Enjoyed this book thoroughly, learnt a lot about myself and laughed really hard (even in public places).

[Tayah Groat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another miss for British humor for me. Its from 2003 which i didnt check till almost the end when he went on about computers but its interesting i couldn't really tell until then. The flow wasn't bad, in all it is one long rant, which many other books have been. The worst cringing were the parts about women, it made me think of what his daughter felt reading it. I haven't seen the tv program and i think I'll pass. It took a lot of discipline to finish it and I'm proud of myself. It's kind of what i would fear a book that i wrote would turn out to be.

[Matthew Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one myself, I want to make the case for the defence Pop music is for the young, as is dressing to irritate and muttering incoherently. The past was not better just different There now I can applaud every one of the contributors, with whom I always agreed, and only lament it is not made anymore because boy have things deteriorated since 2004 when this classic was published: Boris Johnson & Co, Smartphones, electric cars and the gurning simpletons that are today's celebrideees to start with...

[Peter Timson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guess most guys get given this book if they come by it at all. I guess too that anyone over 55 thinks they could write a sequel. Fun read that's been good marketing and led to the women's book... Maybe one shouldn't be grumpy but then it's probably an age of man (or woman)…

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a highly readable and very enjoyable book of grumpiness about the world as it was in 2005, and of course I agreed with almost everything (being a grumpy old woman!) The illustrations were wonderful as well.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the use of everyday English but the book, by definition, was very one dimensional.

[Sue Le-Heup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny 😂

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stuart Prebble may have a good idea when he set up the Grumpy old men TV programme and it may have spoken volumes to "men of a certain age" but really, by writing and publishing this book he has risked becoming the subject of a Grumpy Old Men moan about milking an idea and making money out of being famous. I was a little nauseated by his own life story and the way he got this idea to the screen - benefits of a privileged life.....

This book follows a life in the day of Stuart as he experiences all those little irritations that modern life throws at those of us who have more than two neurons in our heads, those of us who think life is about more than watching people make food, eat food or talk about food on TV and that celebrity doesn't happen just because you say you are a celebrity.

I found myself agreeing wholeheartedly with nearly everything he whinges about here and I found it somewhat depressing. If we really believe that modern Britain is as puerile, stupid and baseless as this we may as well top ourselves now. Mind you, our current government does give credence to this so maybe the Grumpy Old Men are right. Don't read this if you on a downer!

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

c2004. This was a bit like the TV series in that it starts off as really quite funny and then becomes slightly depressing!. Sadly, it also falls within the category of gifts mentioned in the chapter headed "Special Occasions". It was alright but I wouldn't recommend to the normal crew. "For much the same reason that buying presents for your wife or partner is a disaster, it's also a mistake for a grumpy to try to buy presents for everyone else."

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a shame you can't give no stars. Not even slightly amusing.