How to Be a Mentsh (And Not a Shmuck): Secrets of the Good Life from the Most Unpopular People on Earth

By Michael Wex

Wise and hilarious, this is a book about happiness, your own and that of others. The principles outlined here will work for anyone, Jewish or not, who makes the effort to put them into practice.

Drawing on the “wisdom of the ages,” bestselling author Michael Wex shows readers how to figure out the right thing to do in any situation. First he describes the two words “mentsh” and “shmuck.” The former refers most often to an adult who has learned to think of others first; the latter refers to someone who thinks he or she is someone special.

In this book, you will learn how to keep yourself from believing you are someone special. You will learn how not to be a shmuck.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Sep 8, 2009
• ISBN: 9780307373182

Michael Wex

Novelist, lecturer, and translator Michael Wex is one of the leading lights in the revival of Yiddish, and author of the New York Times bestseller Born to Kvetch and its follow-up, Just Say Nu.

Reviews for How to Be a Mentsh (And Not a Shmuck)

[diabolical_drz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the best names for a book ever. Enjoyable short book on how to live a moral life. Should have been funnier (which the author is very capable of) and less focused on proving the author's erudition.