Elements Wit Lib/E: Mastering the Art of Being Interesting

by Benjamin Errett

Got wit? We've all been in that situation where we need to say something clever, but innocuous; smart enough to show some intelligence, without showing off; something funny, but not a joke. What we need in that moment is wit--that sparkling combination of charm, humor, confidence, and most of all, the right words at the right time. Elements of Wit is an engaging book that brings together the greatest wits of our time, and previous ones from Oscar Wilde to Nora Ephron, Winston Churchill to Christopher Hitchens, Mae West to Louis CK, and many in between. With chapters covering the essential ingredients of wit, this primer sheds light on how anyone--introverts, extroverts, wallflowers, and bon vivants--can find the right zinger, quip, parry, or retort...or at least be a little bit more interesting.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Humor, Writing, Communication, Essays, Social

Audio CD

First published October 7, 2014

Reviews

[Alex Reborn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made an effort to finish this book, but I'm forced to say that I wouldn't call it a good read. Not at all. I'm still not sure what exactly I was expecting to find here, but whatever it was, I surely didn't find it.

For the most part I was bored. The chapters were focused on certain aspects that one might associate with wit, but the author talked mostly about different people (from the past and the present times as well - men of politics, rappers, comedians and writers) that apparently are examples of witty individuals. I tend to disagree with some of these opinions, but that's not the point and that didn't affect my view on the book. But my trust in the author was diminished by his choices.

I didn't find any useful information in here. It saddens me to say that, because I spent time reading this book thinking that there's something that I don't get and it made me feel bad about myself. Well, not exactly, but it could have been the case if I were somebody else.

Right at the end, there was a single sentence that might look like some practical advice: "An unconventional description of life is the surest path to wit." So, if anyone finds this helpful, there you go, I saved you some time. The last couple of pages contained something like a summary, but the main ideas were somehow different from the rest of the content. There are some pieces of advice for certain situation (e.g. the office party, meeting the in-laws or a job interview), but nothing that got my attention.

The contradictions contained throughout the pages only made the subject even more confusing. The author made a statement and then he brought arguments saying the previous approach is not that good. In some cases and for some people, wit has elements of humour, but a few chapters later humour is suddenly bad and it's mean, so it shouldn't be used.

I would personally summarize the whole idea that I found within these pages like this: wit (or being an interesting person) takes hard work, but if you have to practice, you're doing it wrong. So, yeah... thanks.

[Chelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A promising introduction, with an excellent definition of what "wit" really is. Basically, wit is "spontaneous creativity," a way of looking at the world "sideways."

While the title of the book hints that readers will "master the art of being interesting," it doesn't offer any real advice. It is an essay, describing various psychological studies, witty people throughout history, quips, etc.

One frustrating aspect of this book is that it is inconsistent. For example: One chapter urges readers to be well read and familiarize yourself with famous quotes, while the next chapter admonishes "parroting."

One chapter will encourage people to "go with the flow" and trust their "intuition," while the next cautions us to not get "carried away."

One chapter compares wit to humor, while the next says that wit most certainly is not "jokes."

A great concept for a book, I just wish that there had been more useful information!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't groundbreaking, but I did like it. I feel like it's less "Mastering the art of," and more "Here's a bunch of stuff about... also it's broken down into handy component sub-topics."

Most valuable, probably, are all the references that inspire further reading. I'm absolutely going to check out Fran Lebowitz, for example, as well as delving deeper into Wilde and Parker. And I may even give Russell Brand a try, with several heapings of salt?

[Atlantis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish reading this book after less than 100 pages the author had named no less than 4 music rap artists as examples of wit usage.

[Dorum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not quite a good book. I would rate it 2.5 stars if that would be possible. However, the subject matter is really difficult. Additionally, the author makes an honest attempt of identifying key factors that make one witty. While doing so, he introduces some interesting historical characters that were witty and offers explanations for the wit. For this reasons, I decided to round my mark upwards to 3 stars.

What I disliked the most in the book is the authors attempts at being witty. Most of the time, to be honest, they fail miserably. Additionally, the advice he offers is often confusing and vague. Compare this to Greg Dean's Step By Step to Stand-Up Comedy. In that book, after a few chapters you get the feeling that you could do stand-up comedy yourself. And in a way, this is what a good educator should do.

So while I don't think Benjamin Errett shines as a great educator in this book, he at least offers examples of great wits in history. So maybe those guys might be educative.

[Deedra Lapray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 1 of our orientation road trip. Interesting listen. Definitely not my usual, but I enjoyed it.

[Benjamin · Rating 1 out of 5]

You cannot learn wit from a book that is neither witty nor interesting. Is this an academic research text? A bathroom reader? Yeah, it's not sure either.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the interesting aspects of this book is that it was about something else than it originally seemed to be the case. This is a book that promises the reader that it will be a self-help book on how to be more witty. A great many people long to toss witty comments on Twitter or at dinner parties and think that this book will make them better at it, while in reality this book is about something far more interesting and far more profound than being merely a guide to how to sound more intelligent when one is eating and drinking and conversing with others. This is about that is not just about how to be more witty, but it looks at wit as something that suffers in our contemporary cultural climate and also is something that the past knew something about. And even more to the point, the book is about how it is that the elements of wit became labeled under a different name when wit itself fell into disrepute so people studied the same things that used to be categorized and praised as wit by looking at the study of creativity. This is a genius move and it certainly helps the reader to be better aware of what is going on when it comes to how words are used and how it is that the same thing is often called by different names based on what is acceptable in a given place and time.

This book is a bit more than 200 pages and it is divided into twelve chapters about different aspects and facets of wit. The author begins with an introduction that comments on wit as an endangered quality in the contemporary world. This is then followed by a discussion of how wit depends on both hustle (1) and flow (2), and that a great deal of contemporary battle rap and its approaches is closely related to the idea of wit and how it requires hard work and preparation but also has to come in the moment. After this comes a look at how wit is fostered by intuition (3), bubbling under the surface, as well as by confidence that what one says is going to be appreciated by others (4). This is followed by a discussion of wit as being founded on a sense of refreshing honesty (5) as well as a sense of righteousness (6) about the sins that are overlooked in a given place and time. After this comes a look at how wit is accompanied by charm (7), how it aides one in the search for romance (8), as well as how it is an element of resilience in a difficult and harsh world (9). After this the author explores the relationship of wit and compassion (10), as well as wit's use in conversation (11) and its quality of brevity (12). This leaves the author to his conclusion about the goal of wit, as well as acknowledgements, references, and an index.

One of the achievements of this book is that it makes being witty into something that is associated with kindness more than cruelty. Wit is, like anything else that human beings can have, something that can be used for good as well as evil, and is frequently used for both. But the common understanding of wit is that it is cruel and mean-spirited creative speech, and so this author emphasizes the kinder side of wit, and the focus of wit on truth, especially truth that cuts against the grain of popular cant and folly. People who are witty are those who are able to have striking and original perspectives on what goes on around them and are frequently alert and aware of others. To prepare mean-spirited but funny things ahead of time is not wit, the author notes, and he wrestles with the tension between wit in the moment as in someone who is a sparkling and entertaining conversation partner at dinner and wit in the aftermath that writers often possess, giving the reader a thoughtful look at the history of wit and how it is that it can be reclaimed from its contemporary obscurity. As someone who enjoys wit and (hopefully) has a fair bit of it, I support this message.

[Devin Ambron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wit is comedy minus time. Making wit work in a variety of contexts involves avoiding platitudes in common writing. If you're going to go through the trouble of writing a thank you note, for example, spend time expressing an original and specific example. To write a perfect toast you should record the entire speech, rehearse it, then break into sections for ease of memorization. Brevity packs a punch in wit by removing unnecessary context. "If you're not pretty, make sure to be witty." A fun read and high level overview of wit in its many forms.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and thought-provoking. The goal is cultural literacy and fluency. Wit is like salt. I enjoyed his ruminations on the Great Wits and the elements of wit: hustle, flow, intuition, confidence, refreshment, righteousness, charm, romance, resilience, compassion, conversation, and brevity.

[Phoenix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wit: Quid Erret Est?


Wit: Quid Errett Est?, December 27, 2015





This review is from: Elements of Wit: Mastering the Art of Being Interesting (Paperback)
My estimation of this book started well but drastically declined until about page 140 when it improved again. The initial definition of wit was reasonable, but the author tried too hard make the topic fit into the 12 qualities he used as chapter headings - Hustle, Flow, Intuition, Confidence, refreshment (drinking), righteousness, Charm, romance, resilience, compassion, conversation, and Brevity. IMV only the capitalized ones worked well, and Intelligence and Topicality were obvious misses. The fill-in-the-blank short witticisms at the end of each chapter were annoying, whether you knew the missing word or could guess as they disturbed the flow of reading – see chapter 2. Ditto the checklists - inane.

The selection of quotes was OK for entertainment value, but should have been more extensive. The character profiles of Dorothy Parker and the Algonquins, Oscar Wilde and Winston Churchill are more or less expected in this sort of book. What I really did enjoy was his inclusion of Jay-Z and rap verse, his compare and contrast of Boris Johnson vs Cary Grant, the lovely summation of Groucho Marx's latter career, his assessment of Christopher Hitchen's relationship with booze and bombast, and the background bio of Mad Magazine's Al Jaffee, most of which came in the last 60 pages. On the other hand both Ricky Gervais and Russel Brand as cultural touchstones were not to my taste, Brand in particular as he takes his own idiocy much too seriously to be funny. Missing? Well it's a short book but there's not very much on punnery, nothing on visual witticisms and surprisingly no Jon Stewart or other late-nite comedians who comment with considerable wit on society and the news. Too bad the quality at the end did not hold up for the whole book.

In the end, 2.8/5.

[Behrooz Parhami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the unabridged 6-hour audio version of this title (read by Erik Synnestvedt, Gildan Media, 2014).

We all yearn for coming up with the right words at the right time. I don't know about you, but it happens to me often that I think of a witty response to some remark, a long time after the opportunity has passed. Like everything else, being witty requires preparation and practice. Extensive reading is a big part of the preparation. Reading this book is also quite helpful, although it's not really a how-to book.

Errett begins by defining wit as an act of spontaneous creativity. Being witty is different from being funny, although a witty remark is often considered funny. Errett then presents different facets of wit in 12 chapters. He deems wit an endangered quality of our modern world. Discussion of wit has, for the most part, been replaced with talk about creativity.

Here are a few examples of witty remarks or responses:

- Always remember never to use the words "always" and "never."

- Upon being arrested, Energizer Bunny was charged with battery.

- He was a modest man, with much to be modest about.

- If money doesn't grow on trees, why do banks have branches?

- I have lost 20 pounds! - I'm sure you'll find them at McDonald's.

- You should go out for a walk on an empty stomach. - Whose?

A witty remark is never offensive or down-putting, rather it relies on the element of surprise to impress and delight. With preparation and practice, witty remarks come effortlessly, in much the same way that a jazz musician isn't thinking during improvisations. Wit is associated more with kindness than cruelty, although it can be used to do both good and evil. A prepared, mean-spirited remark, even if funny, isn't wit. Wit must arise in the moment, during normal interactions.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is all over the place in its citations of people and characters, from Winston Churchill to George Costanza from Seinfeld, Dorothy Parker to the Simpsons. Clearly some ups and downs. In the end, though, the reader can reflect on the cohesiveness of the presentation. Not after reading the entire book in one sitting, though. This is definitely one of those books I've read in chunks, spreading the, uh, wisdom out over days and weeks, lest I become overwhelmed with boredom. As with any single-topic book, the reader must be thoroughly interested in the topic to dive straight in...and even then, sometimes the reader prefers to dip her foot from the edge.

Perhaps it takes a while to kick in, but thus far, I don't feel I've "master[ed] the art of being interesting," per se, but the book reinforced many ideas we already know (or at least should), especially: "Practiced lines and hardened opinions kill conversation just as surely as listening nurtures it" (185). There's a time and a place for everything...

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s okay. Errett should’ve condensed this to half the size, keeping the first 3 chapters and smooshing the rest into the space left.

It’s a decent enough primer to wit and the Great Wits, as the author says—however, it’s certainly not going to let you ‘Master the art of being interesting.’

I read this book primarily because I work in marketing and I wanted to write fewer platitudinous statements for my clients; writing something delightful is always a goal.

Has this book helped? Somewhat.

What I can say, though, is that it’s an interesting shallow dive into the Great Wits and there is definite insight to learn if you’re willing to make the effort.

Would I recommend, reference, or re-read this book again? Not likely—although, for one looking to be a social butterfly, who also possesses a streak of the analytical alien outsider, it may come in handy.

[Penny's Preferences · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking for some tool on being wittier. The author spent a large part of the book describing what wit is. I found some of it helpful. However, I was distracted and unable to have much faith in the author due to some of the people he used as examples of good wit. The one that particularly stands out to me was CK Lewis. Obviously, this book was published before women came forward to tell about the sexual harassment they had experienced by CK Lewis. However, I think it is obvious from before that time that CK's humor was questionable at best. So the bottom line of my review is to pick better role models.

[Kelly Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am no closer to having wit after reading this book.
-The quip quiz are ridiculous. They are random quips never mentioned before the quiz and make me feel bad for not knowing the answer.
“A drunk rambling on when writing a book” is a quote from this book that sums this book up nicely. He says much but reveals nothing. At one point endorses drink and at another condemns it vehemently. He also goes into the life of Ernest Hemingway and seems to get lost for pages before remembering this book is about developing wit.
My advice? Don’t waste your time with this one.

[Amber Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book, but I think a physical or ebook format would be easier to reference in the future, because I definitely will want to reference certain parts. There are a few high-level aspects of wit that he goes into, and a lovely surprise recommendation of a graphic design book (graphic design is my day job), about visual wit.

This is a great springboard book, in that it suggests many other books that expand upon the concepts mentioned here. Overall, I'd definitely say this is a good read for beginning writers and the like.

[Geoffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the chapter of Elements of Wit entitled "Brevity", Benjamin Errett mentions that people tweet "witty" things, only to realize that thousands of others have already said the same thing.

Something similar can be said of Goodreads reviews: I see that others have said that Elements of Wit starts off well, but loses steam. Others have said that the quizzes are a bit silly. Others have said that some of the reference have inspired them to look deeper into the writers. I have the say the same thing.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is far more than a quick self-help book designed to make you stand out at cocktail parties. It's the second half of the title that should interest you. The book explores the history (Oscar Wilde is give at least half a chapter), but also how creativity, flow and emotional engagement are intertwined. Within the first quarter of the book, a nice and intelligent assessment of Jay-Z that actually fits within the context of the chapter.

[Terri Frank · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read Bartlett’s quotations and memorize a few of them. I just saved you from reading this book. The publisher really mistitled this book. It should have been called “A Look into the Creative Process.” The author spends a lot of time on celebrities, such as Jay-Z, and how he creates his raps. Also, there are a lot of quotes/thoughts from random people on Reddit reprinted. I could’ve searched Reddit myself.

[Kedijik · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a cutesy read in the vein of chicken soup books. The book has no intentions to define or educate one on the topic of wit, instead it is full of vaguely related aphorisms some may find inspirational. Given wit is an art, expect this book to be less like an art history book, more of a curated pinterest board and you won't be disappointed.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not finish it. Maybe because this book was not what I imagined or maybe it was the tone of the entire novel, but it just didn't sit well with me. I found the way the author wrote the book to be a bit strange and I never felt enticed to keep reading.

[Kathryn Bagg · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author and I have different interpretations of wit. For me, it should never be snarky or crass. I am not a fan of Ricky Gervais. Rather I look for humour and grace. I do admire Seth Myers. Christopher Hitchens suggested that wit is “the unfailing symptom of intelligence “. So true.

[Anthony Locke · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a pretty big gap between expectations and execution. The book had a lot of stories that were only tangentially related to the chapter principle cultivating wit. It was more of a book on examples of great wit than helping readers become more interesting.

[Tom · Rating 1 out of 5]

Profane and crude. A lot of praise for rappers, those who have mastered the double entendre, and people who have extinguished their "moral inhibitions," which, according to the author, greatly enhances wit. Honestly, this reminds me of everything I dislike about some colleagues in the rat race.

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars
Not so much a self-help book than it is a collection of evidence of people throughout history and culture who has wit and how and they do. Not so helpful in learning how to master wit yourself- I found only about 2 or 2.5 chapters that were helpful in this route.

[Cyndie Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uses the example of famous wits to describe a process of learning to be clever. Interesting and fun read.

[Christopherseelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second time reading this. There are plenty of genuinely enjoyable bits, but the overall effect is like binging on pop culture articles in the guise of self-improvement.

[Elisabeth Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm trying to think of something witty to say in this review... But my mind is letting me down. I can't flow.

At any rate, it's a fun little read.

[Justin Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out interesting and entertaining. Halfway through it took a turn that really lost me. Maybe that's one of the elements of wit - I'll never know.