The Official Preppy Handbook 2.0

With the imminent re-issue of Take Ivy around the corner, it got me thinking (and Googling) about the original Preppy bible, The Official Preppy Handbook by Lisa Birnbach. Since the 30th Anniversary of TOPH is upon us, I wondered where Lisa Birnbach was and what she is up to these days. A link to her publisher’s website, Knopf, landed me on her new book due out August 10th. Called True Prep. I am not so sure about this new cover, so I made my own. The triumph of the original is that it appealed to guys and girls alike, cover and content. This new one is looking a tad girly. But I do like yellow stripes. And Golden Retrievers. But pink Golden Retrievers? Oh who are we kidding? I’ve already ordered it. Here’s the catalog blurb from the website.

TRUE PREP
It’s a Whole New Old World
Written by Lisa Birnbach  and Chip Kidd

From the author of The Official Preppy Handbook comes a new take on the old world that Lisa Birnbach turned into an international best-selling phenomenon thirty years ago. True Prep looks at how the old guard of natural-fiber-loving, dog-worshipping, G&T-soaked preppies adapts to the new order of the Internet, cell phones, rehab, political correctness, reality TV and . . . polar fleece.

A small sample:

• Wardrobe: Recent prep brands we are forced to recognize. How to tell Casual Friday from, say, Saturday.
• Money: We never talk about it.
• Food: Does the Food Network mean we’re going to have to cook? Bake? Now you’re going too far.
• Scandals: Poor Mrs. Astor. When Mummy’s plastic surgery goes terribly wrong. Rehab and the slammer: the new prep schools.
• We’re outta here: When to name something after yourself, and when not. The right obituary. What to do with your dogs if you predecease them.
• NO TEXTING AT THE TABLE, PLEASE.

True Prep promises to be a whole new old sensation.
Go here to pre-order.

So there you have it. Expectations will run high and best-sellerdom is a sure bet. Time to pull out your Weejuns. The Preppy Revial has come full circle.

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