One-Upmanship

I read this book, actually an expanded version titled "The Complete Upmanship" many years ago and, as well as being very entertaining, it can also give you ideas on how to create a psychological "upper-hand", whether real or imagined, on any one needing to be "taken down a peg".

Bought it to send to a friend in Perth, AU. Great fun. Also love the movie: "School for Scoundrels."

This is a very interesting book for an individual who is a novice in the area of one-upmanship. It gives examples from everyday life. While reading this book, I laughed a lot. If you have some free time and you want to sort of relax, I will recommend this book to you. The title is self explanatory.

British sense of humor

This is a delightful relic from the past, with great ink-drawings. The info is good, but somehow not pertinent to modern readers who are seriously wanting to 1-up the world . I'd recommend Winning Thru Intimidation. Sorry, don't remember the author.

If your knowledge of British humour begins and ends with Monty Python, or if you think Austin Powers really is British, then this book will be an eye-opener for you. Where the Pythons provide an in-your-face, broad, loud, slapstick experience, Stephen Potter is exquisitely dry and understated. He sets about on the thankless and nearly impossible task of teaching us perfectly ordinary people how to lord it over our peers. Or betters, for that matter. Doctors, for instance, assume a state of instant authority and dominance by the simple act of having us remove our clothes first thing. How to counter this age-old tactic? Arrange for a female acquaintance to call you as soon as you're starkers, and engage in a knee-slapping, ribald conversation. Any doctor will have a hard time meeting your eyes after that call! A salesman should never rush a pen into his client's hand, hoping he'll skip the fine print. Instead, read out loud the most obfuscatory phrases ("whereas the party hereinafter called the copyholders shall within the discretion of both signatories ..."), and have a shared laugh as you both try to figure out what they can possibly mean. It's good form to then pat your pockets, looking in vain for a pen. Done properly, the client will offer his own pen, which of course you'll take home with you.If you're not used to reading the Queen's English, you'd better have a dictionary (preferably the O.E.D.) close at hand. Despite the passing of half a century, some of these ploys and gambits will be fresh and viable today. Mind you, I should avoid any driving advice given by Plaste, tempting though it may be. Though if you're afraid of heights, then the Art of Not Rockclimbing will suit you to a "t". This is all brilliant stuff, though the connoisseur will prefer the all-in-one volume, "The Complete Upmanship: Including Gamesmanship, Lifemanship, One-Upmanship, Supermanship." Highly, highly recommended.

As a high school youth this book was my introduction to subtlety. And as a kid in Pittsburgh I had much to learn on this subject. One would hope that in today crass atmosphere such ploys are still advantageous but I doubt it. In fact I'll wager that there is not one person in a thousand who can identify this book as the source of the popularity of the word "ploy" although the word is widely used. Read it, it's fun.

The central book in this series  Lifemanship:Some Notes on Lifemanship with a Summary of Recent Research in Gamesmanship  is a classic for anyone nerous about social encounters. You know the type, the ones who are always suspecting that everyone else is scrutinizing their every word and gesture. Well, according to these books, they are. There is a defense though (and a way to make those others who share the anxiety still more worried). This is one of those that is a good laugh, but not ENTIRELY facetious.

It came from the U.S.A so it was a few days late, however it was not as described, it was better. It looked it had not been opened.

A chance to renew acquaintance with an old friend. I loved Stephen Potter's tongue in cheek series: Oneupmanhip, gamesmanship etc but had lost the books over time so this was a happy reunion. Being one up on other people may not be 'proper' but it's fun!

Superb book

it's easy and simple as that when it comes to the question: what's 'upmanship' - just another hilarious classic by Stephen Potter