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Isn't That Rich?: Life Among the 1 Percent
Celebrated ad man Richard Kirshenbaum, the original New York observer, reveals the fashions, foibles, and outrageous extravagances of the private-jet set Paid friends. Pot dealers draped in Dolce. Divorce settlements that include the Birkins at their current retail price. Air kisses, landing strips, and lounge-chair bribery. For most of us, the idea of life inside the golden triad of Park Avenue, Sagaponack, and St. Barths is just as exotic as the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. Luckily, Richard Kirshenbaum has a VIP pass to the Upper East Side and is willing to share the wealth—of gossip. His New York Observer column on uptown social life provides a fascinating glimpse behind the gilded curtain into the swanky restaurants and eye-popping vacation destinations where the 1 percent gathers.Isn’t That Rich? features highlights from Kirshenbaum’s monthly column as well as several brand-new essays. From cash-strapped blue bloods willing to trade their good names for a taste of nouveau riche treasure to the fine art of donning a cashmere sweater in Capri, our intrepid correspondent exposes the preoccupations of the posh. His insider sources may be anonymous, but “his up-to-the-minute portrait of today’s 1 percent is both insightful and a joy to read, no matter what tax bracket you’re in.” (Mortimer Zuckerman)
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2015
About the author
Richard Kirshenbaum
16 books42 followersRICHARD KIRSHENBAUM is CEO of NSG/SWAT, a high-profile boutique branding agency. He has lectured at Harvard Business School, appeared on 20/20, was named to Crain’s New York Business’s “40 under 40” list, and has been inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame. He is the author of Under the Radar, Closing the Deal, Madboy, and Isn’t That Rich? and the New York Observer's "Isn't That Rich?" column. He lives in New York City with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 20, 2020
Anonymous!
There is no name dropping in this book. Richard Kirshenbaum, of the New York Observer, formerly owned by Jared Kushner, yes, that Jared Kushner, writes an amusing book about New York’s one percent.
While happily living amongst his subjects and his sources, Kirshenbaum generously gives us a first person narrative of the life and times of the rich and powerful.
In his book, while dining with rich friends and acquaintances in exclusive and expensive restaurants, which he doesn’t name, he assures us that the New York elite doesn’t mind being served half-cooked food, or food they don’t want, as long as they don’t earn the ire of the haughty chef.
It appears that all Hamptonites, the true one percenters, l mean, do not vacation in The Hamptons. Small islands and European locales are for them.
Politics, raising children, buying and selling houses and other ordinary things like that, is different when you are wealthy.
This book shows that peer pressure is a great force for people in this class. It’s worse than high school. People who are rich enough not to care what others think about them, do.
There is no name dropping in this book. Richard Kirshenbaum, of the New York Observer, formerly owned by Jared Kushner, yes, that Jared Kushner, writes an amusing book about New York’s one percent.
While happily living amongst his subjects and his sources, Kirshenbaum generously gives us a first person narrative of the life and times of the rich and powerful.
In his book, while dining with rich friends and acquaintances in exclusive and expensive restaurants, which he doesn’t name, he assures us that the New York elite doesn’t mind being served half-cooked food, or food they don’t want, as long as they don’t earn the ire of the haughty chef.
It appears that all Hamptonites, the true one percenters, l mean, do not vacation in The Hamptons. Small islands and European locales are for them.
Politics, raising children, buying and selling houses and other ordinary things like that, is different when you are wealthy.
This book shows that peer pressure is a great force for people in this class. It’s worse than high school. People who are rich enough not to care what others think about them, do.
April 4, 2015
Before you read Richard Kirshenbaum's "Isn't That Rich? Life Among the 1%," his collection of 'New York Observer' society columns and new essays, prepare yourself for the staggering arrogance lying inside these pages - the reek of entitlement, the misplaced priorities, the name-dropping, the pervasive sense of being better than everyone else and the corresponding assumption that everyone hangs on your every word.
And we're just talking about the author.
With this slim 'book,' Kirshenbaum purports to be your helpful tour guide into the exotic lives of the uber-rich, a safari to the land of billionaires and their luxuries. Unlike Robin Leach's TV program, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," which gave you a video glimpse of a life you should envy, Kirshenbaum's purpose is to show us the shortcomings and faux stresses of the massively wealthy. But Kirshenbaum cannot help himself - the real point of the book is to sing his own praises - he may live among the pompous rich, but he is superior to them (and you) in every way.
Kirshenbaum tells his stories by passing along interviews that invariably take place at a restaurant where Kirshenbaum is only too happy to imply that won't give you a table. (He often refuses to give the name of the restaurant or club, as some "do not appreciate 'press mentions.'") These are people for whom "breakfast" is a verb and who assume you know what bottle of Domaines Ott to pour with which entree. He tantalizes by referring to his many wonderful, glamourous friends by titles, allegedly to protect their anonymity - you will meet L'actrice, the Silver Fox, the Fifth Avenue Heir, and so on, titles that tell you everything you need to know about the titled and the writer who employs the title. Presuming that Kirshenbaum is not sitting at the table with pad and paper, these interviews are naturally his recollection of what was said, which undercuts their veracity a bit.
These interviews are where Kirshenbaum gets his stories of the shameless whims of the uber-rich - paid friends, spoiled kids, bragging-by-not-bragging ("I just don't know if I can sit through another private Elton John concert again"), navigating unhappy marriages and the struggles of being bicoastal. He consistently points out how he flies above these problems - the billionaires may have spoiled their kids rotten with private drivers and bottle-service tables at age 15, but Kirshenbaum's kids are perfect. The men of the American jet set agonize over how to drape a cashmere sweater over their shoulders because Italian men have mastered the art for the all-important passeggiata, but Kirshenbaum gets mistaken by an aristocratic Italian woman of being Italian because *he* wears his sweater correctly. (Kirshenbaum also points out that he has twenty-five cashmere sweaters of different colors, and "I do love seeing them all folded together. It makes me happy, my collection." Yeesh.) And while the uber-rich are treating art collections as one more status symbol, rest assured that Kirshenbaum's personal art collection has been acquired the proper way - through diligent searches and a sense of personal taste.
Never mind that Kirshenbaum works in several plugs for his own column, his wife (who is of course superior to the spouses of the uber-rich in every way), his advertising concern, and Blackwell rum (he's an investor). One should not shill while one dishes, but I suppose that Kirshenbaum feels that he is above that little rule - his tailored blue blazer has actual buttonholes, after all.
This is my first time reading Kirshenbaum, so perhaps I should have done my homework and would have known what to expect. What I had expected was a comic skewering of New York high society by a daring writer willing to let it all hang out. What Kirshenbaum delivers is "Kirshenbaum, On Living Well," with a tepid critique of the jet set. Perhaps this is all we could expect - clearly Kirshenbaum wants to keep getting invited to the parties, lunches, clubs, and cocktail hours that comprise his life.
Not recommended.
And we're just talking about the author.
With this slim 'book,' Kirshenbaum purports to be your helpful tour guide into the exotic lives of the uber-rich, a safari to the land of billionaires and their luxuries. Unlike Robin Leach's TV program, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," which gave you a video glimpse of a life you should envy, Kirshenbaum's purpose is to show us the shortcomings and faux stresses of the massively wealthy. But Kirshenbaum cannot help himself - the real point of the book is to sing his own praises - he may live among the pompous rich, but he is superior to them (and you) in every way.
Kirshenbaum tells his stories by passing along interviews that invariably take place at a restaurant where Kirshenbaum is only too happy to imply that won't give you a table. (He often refuses to give the name of the restaurant or club, as some "do not appreciate 'press mentions.'") These are people for whom "breakfast" is a verb and who assume you know what bottle of Domaines Ott to pour with which entree. He tantalizes by referring to his many wonderful, glamourous friends by titles, allegedly to protect their anonymity - you will meet L'actrice, the Silver Fox, the Fifth Avenue Heir, and so on, titles that tell you everything you need to know about the titled and the writer who employs the title. Presuming that Kirshenbaum is not sitting at the table with pad and paper, these interviews are naturally his recollection of what was said, which undercuts their veracity a bit.
These interviews are where Kirshenbaum gets his stories of the shameless whims of the uber-rich - paid friends, spoiled kids, bragging-by-not-bragging ("I just don't know if I can sit through another private Elton John concert again"), navigating unhappy marriages and the struggles of being bicoastal. He consistently points out how he flies above these problems - the billionaires may have spoiled their kids rotten with private drivers and bottle-service tables at age 15, but Kirshenbaum's kids are perfect. The men of the American jet set agonize over how to drape a cashmere sweater over their shoulders because Italian men have mastered the art for the all-important passeggiata, but Kirshenbaum gets mistaken by an aristocratic Italian woman of being Italian because *he* wears his sweater correctly. (Kirshenbaum also points out that he has twenty-five cashmere sweaters of different colors, and "I do love seeing them all folded together. It makes me happy, my collection." Yeesh.) And while the uber-rich are treating art collections as one more status symbol, rest assured that Kirshenbaum's personal art collection has been acquired the proper way - through diligent searches and a sense of personal taste.
Never mind that Kirshenbaum works in several plugs for his own column, his wife (who is of course superior to the spouses of the uber-rich in every way), his advertising concern, and Blackwell rum (he's an investor). One should not shill while one dishes, but I suppose that Kirshenbaum feels that he is above that little rule - his tailored blue blazer has actual buttonholes, after all.
This is my first time reading Kirshenbaum, so perhaps I should have done my homework and would have known what to expect. What I had expected was a comic skewering of New York high society by a daring writer willing to let it all hang out. What Kirshenbaum delivers is "Kirshenbaum, On Living Well," with a tepid critique of the jet set. Perhaps this is all we could expect - clearly Kirshenbaum wants to keep getting invited to the parties, lunches, clubs, and cocktail hours that comprise his life.
Not recommended.
Did Not Finish
November 1, 2015When Trash Gets Boring... it can be put aside with no guilt or sense of obligation.
And best of all, reading this via Scribd (given the other stuff I read on there) works out cheaper than the regrettable impulse purchase of a Vogue, Tatler or GQ.
And best of all, reading this via Scribd (given the other stuff I read on there) works out cheaper than the regrettable impulse purchase of a Vogue, Tatler or GQ.
May 25, 2018
This is written tongue-in-cheek. (I hope.) It's supposed to be hilarious. (I think.) But I found myself rolling my eyes (a lot) and thinking, "How sad!" It turns out that I really (really!) do not want to be part of the 1 percent. Not only are they pretentious and narcissistic, but also obsessed with weight, fashion, food (mostly not eating it), parties, vacations, summer homes in the Hamptons, vacations abroad and prime New York real estate. They pay people to be their friends. Nannies care for their children, while chauffeurs monitor their teens, pulling the underagers out of bars and getting them home in one piece and (presumably) safe from arrest.
In this series of essays, author Richard Kirshenbaum explores the fun and foibles of über rich New Yorkers, of whom he is one thanks to the lucrative sale of his advertising firm. Without naming names, he subtly eviscerates his friends and acquaintances in a weird sort of anthropological study based almost entirely on conversations in which he actively participates or passively overhears at posh restaurants and events.
This is an eye-opening and at times eye-popping look at how very few of us live—and thank goodness for that!
In this series of essays, author Richard Kirshenbaum explores the fun and foibles of über rich New Yorkers, of whom he is one thanks to the lucrative sale of his advertising firm. Without naming names, he subtly eviscerates his friends and acquaintances in a weird sort of anthropological study based almost entirely on conversations in which he actively participates or passively overhears at posh restaurants and events.
This is an eye-opening and at times eye-popping look at how very few of us live—and thank goodness for that!
February 6, 2015
Ok, so we are supposed to feel bad that the millionaires are just "oh so blasé" compared to the super duper billionaire world where they would die before flying first class? ("Can I have your tail number?") This book actually made me feel a lot better about my middle class upbringing, where my mom and dad taught me manners and the value of appreciating time with people you love instead of just material things. Lawd, these people are unhappy. And busy. Doing nothing. There will always be someone prettier, skinnier and richer. Ya'll need some Jesus.
October 4, 2020
Very funny look at the ultra rich in New York City written by an insider. Kirshenbaum who runs his own advertising agency assembled the book from his column in the New York Observer.
Never mean, Kirshenbaum skewers his wealthy peers by quoting them at length and allowing a reader to draw his or her own conclusions.
The book examines the idea of paid friends - celebrity sycophants who enjoy free trips on giant yachts through the glamour capitals of the world.
Kirshenbaum also takes us through the restaurant and shopping haunts of the wealthy as well as the snobbish disdain for the UWS shown by denizens of the UES.
The book is delicious both because of the subject matter and the fact that Kirshenbaum is a terrific writer.
Never mean, Kirshenbaum skewers his wealthy peers by quoting them at length and allowing a reader to draw his or her own conclusions.
The book examines the idea of paid friends - celebrity sycophants who enjoy free trips on giant yachts through the glamour capitals of the world.
Kirshenbaum also takes us through the restaurant and shopping haunts of the wealthy as well as the snobbish disdain for the UWS shown by denizens of the UES.
The book is delicious both because of the subject matter and the fact that Kirshenbaum is a terrific writer.
December 13, 2017
The best thing that I can say about this book is that it was reasonably well-written. The second-best thing is that the book is short so I didn't have to spend too much time with snobby people I really disliked.
December 9, 2019
Purely informational, because I will NEVER live as the 1%, and let me be sanctimonious enough to say that I don't WANT to live like the 1%. It sounds STD-riddled and depressing. While floating around the Caribbean or whatever.
Three stars because the subject matter is exhausting, and I'm glad to burrow down in my cheap Target bedsheets and flannel comforter bought on sale to read this nonsense...but I'd give way more stars for the author's writing. I'll be reading more by him. He reminds me of Don Draper ;)
Three stars because the subject matter is exhausting, and I'm glad to burrow down in my cheap Target bedsheets and flannel comforter bought on sale to read this nonsense...but I'd give way more stars for the author's writing. I'll be reading more by him. He reminds me of Don Draper ;)
January 27, 2023
Hysterical! Privilege doesn't know any better and these are obviously snippets culled from real life. This is a sociologists pot of gold. It was well written and mostly hid the "characters" from the masses, though I'm sure their paid friends know exactly whom everyone is. Dan and I are ready to move on up and scandalize with our vacations to Orlando and immense American bodies, at least our reverse bragging game is already on point. lol
February 6, 2017
Awful book that mirrors a TV show like Life of the Rich and Famous or Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Author Richard Kirshenbaum seems to want readers to bathe themselves in the tich lifestyle where people run back and forth between LA and New York when they aren't vacationing in Europe.
October 24, 2019
It seems, most reviewers didn’t get the joke.
The book is hilarious and satiric.
I’m astonished about the number of people who are saying how much better they are than the 1% and how they don’t want to live like that. Haha! You wish, people.
The book is hilarious and satiric.
I’m astonished about the number of people who are saying how much better they are than the 1% and how they don’t want to live like that. Haha! You wish, people.
May 23, 2017
Frivolous but entertaining. It depicts a bunch of extremely vulgar people who are continuously talking and thinking about money.
June 17, 2017
Leitura divertida de férias
Interessante ver a espiral de loucura em que os ricos de NY se metem, achando q eh "felicidade". Insanidade total.
Interessante ver a espiral de loucura em que os ricos de NY se metem, achando q eh "felicidade". Insanidade total.
September 15, 2017
This series of essays examines crazy-rich New Yorkers who have made consumption and status a competitive sport.
January 17, 2018
Book is Funny,silly and about the super rich mostly vacation problems etc. Peppermint stick? I liked it.
November 10, 2023
‘Not their real name’
Gets old after awhile. I really wanted to like this book but it was not that interesting even if the ‘real’ names were worked into the text.
Gets old after awhile. I really wanted to like this book but it was not that interesting even if the ‘real’ names were worked into the text.
February 24, 2017
Hilariously well written, insightful and eye-opening. It turns out the rich are just like everyone else only they have the money to create and address their mostly imaged "problems"
June 17, 2015
This has to be one of the most entertaining books I have read in a while. The vignettes he writes about surrounding the 1% are absolutely hysterical, especially knowing that they are true. While this book is about the uber rich, anyone who has gone to a beach resort over the Christmas holidays can relate to his tales of trying to get good beach chairs at a resort. What most of us do not do is tip $100 to get such chairs. I especially enjoyed his stories about the Hamptons as I am very familiar with the area and I only wish that his book revealed people's real names. It is an easy read and perfect for a lazy day read!
October 15, 2015
3.5 Stars
This was a pretty entertaining read about the rich and famous. It highlights their rich problems, and what it's like living in their shoes. It's laughable because I don't feel sorry for these people. Just because one has money doesn't mean they have to conform to society or Hollywood standards. A lot of things in this book is ridiculous and it will have you shaking your head in disbelief because the problems these "rich people" are experiencing aren't really problems at all. This 1% needs help.
*ARC graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This was a pretty entertaining read about the rich and famous. It highlights their rich problems, and what it's like living in their shoes. It's laughable because I don't feel sorry for these people. Just because one has money doesn't mean they have to conform to society or Hollywood standards. A lot of things in this book is ridiculous and it will have you shaking your head in disbelief because the problems these "rich people" are experiencing aren't really problems at all. This 1% needs help.
*ARC graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
December 27, 2015
A delightful, funny, and rather insane look behind the scenes of the truly rich and famous. I was gasping out loud and then choking on my laughter at all the shenanigans of these people. All of it helped by the very witty voice of the author - he's from that world but has a self-deprecating zing to him (and yes, almost British humour, it could be said!)
If you ever enjoyed Gossip Girl and that kind of glitz and glam world, then this is a must-read. Definitely a good time as you contemplate the foibles of the uber-rich!
If you ever enjoyed Gossip Girl and that kind of glitz and glam world, then this is a must-read. Definitely a good time as you contemplate the foibles of the uber-rich!
June 17, 2015
Kirshenbaum straddles a life between the psychotically rich and that of a normal bloke in a fun way. He's there but he's not "there" and we the readers get to reap the benefits of a learning about the uber-rich space aliens without having to watch anyone spoon-feed their dog caviar. Loved it.
October 6, 2015
So fun! This "non-fiction" book (remember he's an ad man so nothing is what it seems) reads more like a "inspired by true events" story. I loved the vivid description and the framing of each conversation via some fabulous setting.
October 16, 2015
These are the kind of people who make other people think that guillotines are a good idea. Pretty much what I got out of this is that the rich are whiny, entitled, and painfully boring.
November 8, 2015
Mediocre book that talks about rich folk problems. millionaire vs multimillionaire vs billionaire. Los Angeles vs New York , what trends and fashions that the rich consume. decent book.
February 4, 2016
Enjoyed the book. Considering the state of the middle class in this society, it is fascinating. The wealthy have no idea about the word need vs want. Worth the time and thought
January 20, 2016
Howling funny at the start, but the last two chapters are barely disguised advertorials that made me feel like I'd been conned. Glad I didn't buy it!
March 2, 2015
I read this a couple of weeks ago, and I can't remember it. 'nuf said....
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews