What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I read this back in the 80s. It started out as a series of articles in either Esquire or GQ magazine. I lean towards it being Esquire, but I'm not certain. It was a monthly series for a year or so, then the articles were gathered together, edited down (grrr!), and published as a book. I think all the articles were written by the same author. It apparently isn't "Esquire The Rules: A Man's Guide to Life". The one specific bit I remember says something like 'Wash your hands before touching your penis, but not after.' That's all I can remember.

ETA: Might also have been from The Atlantic.

Was it by Blake Nelson? He wrote something like that for a magazine, but it was in the nineties, I believe.

Daisy wrote: "Was it by Blake Nelson? He wrote something like that for a magazine, but it was in the nineties, I believe."

Doesn't look like it. Nothing in his books list matches. Thanks for trying.

Maybe too much of a stretch, but possibly Modern Manners: An Etiquette Book for Rude People?

The Bachelor Home Companion: A Practical Guide to Keeping House Like a Pig by P.J. O'Rourke is another possibility. Dates from 1986, so the right era.

Neither one of those. Thanks for trying. I was subscriber to National Lampoon during O'Rourke's tenure as editor and always liked his writing.

Esquire Etiquette: The Modern Man's Guide to Good Form?

Rainbowheart wrote: "Esquire Etiquette: The Modern Man's Guide to Good Form?"

Might be. I've requested it through interlibrary loan.

Fingers crossed!

Rainbowheart wrote: "Esquire Etiquette: The Modern Man's Guide to Good Form?"

Drat! It isn't it. That was originally published in the 50s, then revised and republished in the 80s. Good read, though. Thanks. The search goes on.

Dang! I'll keep looking.

The Modern Man's Guide to Life?

Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys?

I'll check them both out, but I doubt it's Dave Barry. I don't think the author was that well known.

Cycad wrote: "Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys?"

Nope, that isn't it, but a very fun read. Thanks.

I've had a thought that it might also have been The Atlantic magazine.

A suggestion from another site eliminated, Manstyle: The GQ Guide to Fashion, Fitness and Grooming by Peter Carlsen.

Esquire's Handbook for Hosts: A Time-Honored Guide to the Perfect Party?
The Esquire Handbook - The Original 50's Guide for the Sophisticated Man?

Juels wrote: "Esquire's Handbook for Hosts: A Time-Honored Guide to the Perfect Party?
The Esquire Handbook - The Original 50's Guide for the Sophisticated Man?"

I don't think so, but I'll give them a look.

Now eliminated; Esquire How to Be a Man: A Handbook of Advice, Inspiration, and Occasional Drinking.

Old Guide to Life bump.

Real Men Don't Eat Quiche?

Rainbowheart wrote: "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche?"

I"ll check it out.

Rainbowheart wrote: "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche?"

Wasn't "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche". Still, I hadn't read since the 80s. Fun revisiting it.

Guide to Life bump.