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Stuff White People Like: A Definitive Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions | 
 enlarge | Author: Christian Lander
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
Buy New: $8.13
You Save: $5.87 (42%)
New (50) Used (15) from $7.58
Rating:  59 reviews
Sales Rank: 338
Media: Paperback
Pages: 224
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 9 x 5.9 x 0.5
ISBN: 0812979915
Dewey Decimal Number: 818.602
EAN: 9780812979916
ASIN: 0812979915
Publication Date: July 1, 2008
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
They love nothing better than sipping free-trade gourmet coffee, leafing through the Sunday New York Times, and listening to David Sedaris on NPR (ideally all at the same time). Apple products, indie music, food co-ops, and vintage T-shirts make them weak in the knees.
They believe they’re unique, yet somehow they’re all exactly the same, talking about how they “get” Sarah Silverman’s “subversive” comedy and Wes Anderson’s “droll” films. They’re also down with diversity and up on all the best microbrews, breakfast spots, foreign cinema, and authentic sushi. They’re organic, ironic, and do not own TVs.
You know who they are: They’re white people. And they’re here, and you’re gonna have to deal. Fortunately, here’s a book that investigates, explains, and offers advice for finding social success with the Caucasian persuasion. So kick back on your IKEA couch and lose yourself in the ultimate guide to the unbearable whiteness of being.
Praise for STUFF WHITE PEOPLE LIKE:
“The best of a hilarious Web site: an uncannily accurate catalog of dead-on predilections. The Criterion Collection of classic films? Haircuts with bangs? Expensive fruit juice? ‘Blonde on Blonde’ on the iPod? The author knows who reads The New Yorker and who wears plaid.”
–Janet Maslin’s summer picks, CBS.com
“The author of "Stuff White People Like" skewers the sacred cows of lefty Caucasian culture, from the Prius to David Sedaris. . . . It gently mocks the habits and pretensions of urbane, educated, left-leaning whites, skewering their passion for Barack Obama and public transportation (as long as it's not a bus), their idle threats to move to Canada, and joy in playing children's games as adults. Kickball, anyone?”
–Salon.com
“A handy reference guide with which you can check just how white you are. Hint: If you like only documentaries and think your child is gifted, you glow in the dark, buddy.”
–NY Daily News
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| Customer Reviews: Read 54 more reviews...
 What upper middle class americans like November 29, 2008
Chris Marme (DeWitt, Iowa USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am white. I consider myself to have a good sense of humor (as I assume even the most humorless among us do). However, the other night I sat with family listening to my brother-in-law reading various parts of Stuff White People Like: A Definitive Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions asking myself why I did not find the book at all funny. There are two reasons I don't find it funny. First the book is not about white people per se. It is describing a class to which I happily belong, upper middle class America. If in place of "white people" the author had instead had used the phrase Americans in the top quintile of the income distribution (white, black, yellow, brown or some combination thereof) or well-to-do Americans I might have found it funnier.
The problem with changing to Stuff Well-To-Do Americans Like: A Definitive Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions is that upper middle class and wealthy Americans- as we send our kids to graduate school, travel abroad, frequent farmers' markets and the like- are more than a bit uncomfortable admitting to ourselves how privileged we are. Better to chalk up the funny things we do to race than our obscenely good fortune and the fact that we have the time and the financial resources to buy organic, travel, give to charities, and throw away money purchasing books like the one under consideration here.
Secondly, no matter what their race, those trying to join the ranks of upper middle class America often appear to family and friends as though they are turning their backs on "who they really are". This book, in its own small way, contributes to this ridiculous notion by identifying so many things that are part and parcel of upper middle class life in America as being white.
In short, take the money you would have wasted on this book and donate it to some charity that is devoted to raising awareness of how desperately poor the mass of humanity still is, raises awareness of climate change, or buy some recyclable grocery bags.
Very good snapshot in time November 29, 2008
Glen Sooter (Marquette, MI United States)
This book is incredibly funny and accurate. Perhaps more accurately titled "What Barack Obama's Base Likes", it cuts to the quick of me and my friends who, once upon a time, also thought we were profound for seeking out independent films (until I began to realize how much most of them suck). I even thought I had a leg up with loving Hayao Myazacki films.
My only concern with it is that the progressive urban whites being skewered in the book and labeled "elitist" on this site are, arguably, the first generation completely free of the economic shackles of the past.
I think many began to ask these larger questions about reality and the world in which we live, and naturally came to realize that pesticides in food is no less murder than a bullet, that the automobile dependent landscape simply doesn't work, that intellectualism are good, and that young people raising their own children just doesn't make sense (thus, why "white people" wait as long as they biologically can - they would wait until their 60s if they could). The observation about buses versus subways was pretty darn accurate, but I'm not sure these should be labeled "white" or "elitist" values. They are simply observations of what works and what doesn't.
For example, the exodus from cities to suburbs a generation or two ago was once called "White Flight". But, as black culture has climbed into the middle class, it is clear that they too move away from dangerous neighborhoods, paper-thin walls, and failing schools as soon as they are able. It's human nature, and I think what is now the avant garde of "whiteness" will soon enough become the norm across all cultures (organic food, not Wes Anderson).
The book is a good snapshot in time, though, of a unique period in human history.
no laughing matter November 23, 2008
Astrogirl (Germany)
For those of us who have to work with "White People" this is certainly a must read. Yes,there is a "white" mentality and culture within the general "White" culture; much like there are "straight-acting gays" within the general "Gay" culture (for straight people like me-think Will and Grace).This book gives cut-to-the-chase situational advice for those having to deal with white people in the work place or at "social" events.
It is very helpful to know that so many white people enjoy drinking coffee and treating their dogs like(or better than) children when working in a school environment. It helps explain why a lot of the older white female staff will not look the minority students directly in the eyes-ever, or call on them. It takes the tension out of day to day exposure to this type of behavior by humanizing the teacher in question and making her admirable for "following her dreams".
Almost any situation in which you might find yourself dealing with a "White person" is covered; so you'll never be at a loss again as far as how to place that person's actions in context or how to react. I highly advise you to take advantage of the low,low price and excellent delivery service to get your copy today.
 WHITE PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THIS BOOK November 22, 2008
A. Wilber (Long Island, NY)
I do not recommend you BUY this book. This is the kind of book you pick up at the library read once and return. I like to buy books that are poignant and I might re-read more than once. This book does not fit that criteria.
I thought this book was funny at times, and gave me a good chuckle and I do understand that it is a satire. The book is written regarding what White Metro People like, it is not what the average white Midwesterner likes. I live in the suburbs of New York City and did relate to most of the items that the author says we like. I'm still not sure who the author is writing the book for. Is he writing the book for non-whites so that when they are in a mostly white metro area they can make comments of items they like so that they can fit in with their white friends. What is wrong with being different and liking different things?
I will admit I do enjoy the New York Times on Sunday, but I refuse to act like I am enjoying classical music just to be in. It seems like the guide is a guide of how to be snobby. Pick up the book for a quick read and a few chuckles.
Pathetic November 19, 2008
Conrad Vernon
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
The most profound joke this book makes is the one on 'white people' who find it to be 'harmless satire'. The joke is on YOU! Pathetic. When is the majority of the young, North American public going to 'grow up'?! Did Random House understand what they were getting into? Apparently not. They could have done a decent amount of editing to make the underlying message(s) more palpable.
I say this as a person living outside North America who is very familiar with North American society/culture, and who has also worked in PR and can identify subtle 'spin' when I see it. The majority of the 'stuff' listed in this book is enjoyed by most middle-upper class whites, and non-whites, in most of the world's major cities. There are a few stereotypes of 'white North Americans' in the book which are mildly funny, although spliced into this, is complete ignorance and bigotry. In this ever-globalizing world 'stereotyping' is losing its relevance, and will soon become outdated (if not already). Those who find it 'harmless satire' have been been duped yet again ... This book was written by a 'snake in the grass'.
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