How to Make Enemies and Offend People

by G. Sampath

Ever since the Radia tapes were leaked, my wife has been extremely upset. I tried to reason with her. ‘Believe me,’ I said, ‘I did talk to Niira Radia. Is it my fault that my conversation with her has not been leaked?’

Often described as ‘the funniest ever writer to have come out of trans-Yamuna Delhi in the 75–77kg category’, G. Sampath launches a hilarious counter-offensive against perpetually offense-taking offensive people and issues in this small but potent volume. From Ajay Devgn’s nipples to his wife’s real estate ambitions, Arnab Goswami’s special powers to male virgins’ special problems, sari-obsessed women to pesticide-obsessed farmers, Sampath runs his vampire-like fingernails across the private obsessions and public frustrations of the Indian Everyman. Wily old genius that he is, where you expect him to draw blood, he draws a chuckle.

205 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Sandeep Bhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very light read, the book is at the peak of sarcasm. The writer has delved into daily events and brought the unsaid side in a pun-full way. Some pages give you hilarious laughter made special by the language intended. Never read a book like this and definitely kudos to the writer, hopefully hr will remain alive to give the world some more dose of sarcasm.

[Satavisha Bhattacharyya Mazumder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slapstick sense of humour with sarcastic and sexist overtone. Few parts are quite hilarious but a lot left to expectations. Covers a lot of hypocrisies of our society as a whole - I may not agree with all the arguments, but that's the point, it's about offending. At times, it seems like the author has used the book to publish articles he was not allowed to otherwise as a journalist, which is not something I as a reader would particularly enjoy.

2 stars given for use of lexical language and bits of humour - remaining 3 stars, I save for hope of better outcomes in future.

[Prasad Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to make people laugh and slap hard with reality...

Book is published in 2013, Mr. Sampath apology for reading it in 2022.
Had been a regular reader of DNA till the time it closed down and somewhat once-in-a month reader of The Hindu. However except 1 article, don't remember reading your gems. One more unconditional apology.
Book is a must read...
People like Mr. Sampath are the true pillars which make nation like India stand even when so called real pillars (judiciary, media, legislative) have disappeared like worn curtains.
My fav from this book are the hard hitting "joke 124A", which continues to laugh at us in 2022 and the top (dunno from where) court is still to hear case against it.
Another one and the most loved is on most selfish SRT, with recent Boria bister incidence, BCCI must have banned author for infinite births...
You deserve award for your bravery!
Our salutes are just like regards and compliments...

[Prasan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book through editor name search after reading his editorial section in The Hindu.

Great form of sarcasm and written to go beyond your nerve. G Sampath has such unique style of writing that may be termed as artwork of a sculpture. He has very unique style of looking at and explaining about things.

[Arbaz Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is of the category of dark humour written in chapters, commenting on nearly everything, from political environment of India of 2011-12, to the homely clashes with his wife.
A light read which can make the reader laugh loudly.

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a light hearted fun booking poking fun at the general functioning of society. I promise you'd laugh your heart out as soon as you start reading!

[Sukanta Maikap · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is kind of a complaint all book. Nice for a light read. Enjoyed it thoroughly and probably will read it again some time in future. The author discusses about starting from very silly things to burning questions of life like, corruption, poverty, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajay Devgan's nipples etc. I specially enjoyed the essay about Sharee, Model Employee, What Indian Poor Really Want and How To Be Positively Negative.

I personally did not like the arguments about Sachin Tendulkar, but everybody has the right to have their own wrong opinion :) :P. Towards the end the book becomes a bit serious though.

[Zishan Ansari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book really. It looks more like a compilation of G Sampath's articles. A light and entertaining read.

[Debadutta Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never read so much sarcasm together in a book. If you like sarcasm, this book is a must read.

[Tushaar Kataria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Really funny sometimes.

[Dee Aditya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody hilarious, sometimes thought provoking.
And also very offensive, of course.

[Sai Kumar]

Boring, well tried though.

[Toolika Wadhwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

humour. satire. everyday non fiction. worth a read.