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Pessimisms: Famous (and Not So Famous) Observations, Quotations, Thoughts, and Ruminations on What to Expect When You're Expecting the Worst
Bad things happen to everyone, and this collection provides just the right dose of irreverence to help you laugh at life and all its nasty surprises. Inspired by the author's profoundly pessimistic grandmother, it offers wry, world-weary ruminations on a sampler of life's themes, Health (" The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not ." —Mark Twain); Love (" The surest way to be alone is to get married ." —Gloria Steinem); and Money (" I have enough money to last the rest of my life, unless I buy something ." —Jackie Mason). Enjoy.
- GenresHumor
176 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Eric Marcus
33 books31 followersEric Marcus is a communications expert who has been communicating with the broad public and specific niche audiences for three decades. His work has ranged from writing consumer-oriented books and developing promotional and informational materials for non-profit and commercial enterprises to production jobs for both documentaries and television network news.
Eric’s ten books include Why Suicide?, What If Someone I Know Is Gay?, and Breaking the Surface, the #1 New York Times best-selling autobiography of Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis. In addition, Eric has written articles and columns for the New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, Newsweek, and the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
His many clients have included Waldenbooks, PBS “American Experience,” and Sanky Communications (for which he has worked on development materials for Planned Parenthood NYC, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and MOMA, among others). Most recently, Eric has worked with the family of the late Sir James Goldsmith to create detailed illustrated guides for their two nature reserves and luxury resorts that convey to guests, potential guests, and travel industry experts the essential qualities and features of these remarkable places.
Eric is a former associate producer for ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “CBS This Morning.” For a recent PBS “American Experience” documentary about the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York’s Greenwich Village, Eric wore several hats, including advisor, associate producer, still photographer, and author of the film’s online teaching guide.
In addition to his behind-the-scenes work, Eric also has extensive experience on the other side of the microphone and camera as a spokesman on a range of issues related to his books. He is also a seasoned moderator and conversation facilitator, and in that capacity has worked in both public and private forums for clients ranging from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association to Unilever and the University of South Dakota.
Eric Marcus is a graduate of New York City public schools, after which he attended Vassar College and earned master’s degrees from Columbia University in both journalism and real estate development.
Eric’s ten books include Why Suicide?, What If Someone I Know Is Gay?, and Breaking the Surface, the #1 New York Times best-selling autobiography of Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis. In addition, Eric has written articles and columns for the New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, Newsweek, and the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
His many clients have included Waldenbooks, PBS “American Experience,” and Sanky Communications (for which he has worked on development materials for Planned Parenthood NYC, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and MOMA, among others). Most recently, Eric has worked with the family of the late Sir James Goldsmith to create detailed illustrated guides for their two nature reserves and luxury resorts that convey to guests, potential guests, and travel industry experts the essential qualities and features of these remarkable places.
Eric is a former associate producer for ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “CBS This Morning.” For a recent PBS “American Experience” documentary about the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York’s Greenwich Village, Eric wore several hats, including advisor, associate producer, still photographer, and author of the film’s online teaching guide.
In addition to his behind-the-scenes work, Eric also has extensive experience on the other side of the microphone and camera as a spokesman on a range of issues related to his books. He is also a seasoned moderator and conversation facilitator, and in that capacity has worked in both public and private forums for clients ranging from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association to Unilever and the University of South Dakota.
Eric Marcus is a graduate of New York City public schools, after which he attended Vassar College and earned master’s degrees from Columbia University in both journalism and real estate development.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 1, 2023
No idea when or where I got this little book but it was all the way in the back of a shelf behind all the other books. At 160 pages, it was a fast read. Some of the pessimistic statements/observations in this book were familiar, some were almost absurd, and some made me laugh.
A watched pot may never boil,
But an unwatched one always boils over.
-Joan M. Washington
When my ship comes in, with my luck I'll be at the airport.
-John Adey
Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.
-Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914)
Marriage is the only war in which you sleep with the enemy.
-Author Unknown
In this economy, every silver lining has a dark cloud.
- Business Week headline, March 9, 1992
When I was a boy I was told that anyone could become president; I'm beginning to believe it. -Clarence Darrow (1857-1938)
A watched pot may never boil,
But an unwatched one always boils over.
-Joan M. Washington
When my ship comes in, with my luck I'll be at the airport.
-John Adey
Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.
-Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914)
Marriage is the only war in which you sleep with the enemy.
-Author Unknown
In this economy, every silver lining has a dark cloud.
- Business Week headline, March 9, 1992
When I was a boy I was told that anyone could become president; I'm beginning to believe it. -Clarence Darrow (1857-1938)
January 31, 2018
This book is like a bathroom reader without the variety or entertainment, the kind of book you might purchase for a quarter at one of those book sales you see at the bank. My copy says $8.99 CAN, a price which is completely egregious. One in ten quotes might make you laugh if you like folksy humor.
April 16, 2008
This was a cute collection of quirky quotes (and, I liked the little blurbs about Aunt Ethel)! It was hard to choose just one favorite, so I chose three! (LoL) I think the one I liked the best was on pg. 35:
Life is something that happens to you while you're making other plans -Margaret Millar
because its soooo true! For that same reason, I also liked
No issue is so small that it can't be blown out of proportion -Stuart Hughes
And,
It begins with a prince kissing an angel. It ends with a baldheaded man looking across the table at a fat wife -Unknown
Just because it made me laugh!!
Life is something that happens to you while you're making other plans -Margaret Millar
because its soooo true! For that same reason, I also liked
No issue is so small that it can't be blown out of proportion -Stuart Hughes
And,
It begins with a prince kissing an angel. It ends with a baldheaded man looking across the table at a fat wife -Unknown
Just because it made me laugh!!
October 2, 2009
Humorous collection of pessimistic quotes.
My favorite? "Happiness is a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city." George Burns
My favorite? "Happiness is a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city." George Burns
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews