Complete Upmanship, The

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Review of "The Complete Upmanship" by Stephen Potter. This benchmark work is comprised of the four short books by the same author: Gamesmanship; Lifemanship; One-Upmanship; and Supermanship. With his subtle satire Stephen Potter writes and expounds upon his belief that the clever (but courteous) gentleman can be superior to the "expert" in any social situation. He offers solutions and demonstrates in the forms of ploys and gambits how a "psychologically well equipped gentleman can win at the games of life without really being able to play them well." In short, it is a primer for the rest of us. For example, when confronted with the troublesome aspect of the appreciation of music Potter instructs us as such: "The general aim in music is to make other people feel outside it - or outsiders, compared to yourself. Don't look to solemn when music is played; on the contrary, be rather jolly about your musical appreciation. Say, 'Yes, it's a grand tune, isn't it?' and bawl it out in a cracked, unmusical voice. Say, 'Ludwig suggests that this theme represents the galloping hooves of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. But to me it's just a grand tune.'" The purpose is self explanatory. There is a lot of great material in these texts. If the reader takes the time to read through the British vernacular of the period and to analyze and apply the techniques suggested many awkward social situations can be made quite comfortable and even satisfying when placing those who need to be back in their place. Well done. Six stars without Get it!~

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