Rules To Break

by capper

We all know that Charlie Sykes is a self-serving, pompous ass. We also know that he recently wrote a book that he is still trying to sell to the unsuspecting public, including linking to almost every review or column or posting that mentions his book.

One review that I don't think he will be posting is in the November 2007 issue of Milwaukee Magazine (sorry, it's not online yet, so I can't link to it either). The review is titled "RULES TO BREAK" and was written by Lisa Holewa. Here it is in its entirety:

Charlie Sykes' 50 Rules Kids Won't Learn In School is based on his list of 14 rules that took on a bizarre Internet life as an e-mail attributed to Bill Gates. The original 14 were thought-provoking, clever and mercifully brief. But the book...well, what's really the difference between Rule No. 1:"Life is not fair. Get used to it," and No. 12:"Humiliation is part of life. Deal with it," and No.22:"You are not a victim. So stop whining." Each rule is followed by a curmudgeonly lecture, and the effect is simply exhausting. When it appears Sykes had a secret that made it worth slogging through 150 pages-Rule No. 46:"Check the guinea pig in the basement"-it turns out it's just a reminder to call your grandmother. The book has some worthwhile insights, but feels so repetitive and tedious, numbingly self-centered and indulgent, that your want to remind Sykes of Rule No. 8:"Your navel is not that interesting.
Don't spend your life gazing at it."

And for those on the right that would blow off Milwaukee Magazine as part of the "liberal mainstream media", this is the same issue that has an entire story, not just a column, written by Jessica McBride.