A Hard Sell? Book Tells Americans How to Be French

Reuters ^ | Mon April 14, 2003 10:23 AM ET | Reuters

[Nachum]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - It may be as ill-timed as opening a new storefront business in downtown Baghdad -- a book telling Americans how they too can be like the French. But its principal author, chef Robert Arbor, says his "Joie de Vivre: Simple French Style for Everyday Living" is "beyond politics" and will quench a thirst deeper than the current tempest in a demitasse.

So does publisher Simon & Schuster, which says the timing may work in the book's favor -- offering closet Francophiles in the United States a guide to pursuing the politically incorrect in the privacy of their homes without having to sneak out to a French restaurant, even as U.S.-French ties are iced by disagreements over the Iraq war.

Arbor, who owns nine New York and Boston restaurants, including seven Le Gamin Cafes, says his book of pictures, recipes and reminiscences about living a good life every day will sell because French culture has survived worse, including wars and revolutions.

"One thing that always stayed around was the way of life, taking time and enjoying moments that are important in the day," the Fontainebleau native said in an interview.

The book goes on sale at $27 hardcover on May 1.

[Nachum]

Wow, I bet FReepers can come up with all sorts of unique ways to be French!

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[ZinGirl]

I bet FReepers can come up with all sorts of unique ways to be French!

I surrender

[goldstategop]

Talk about bad marketing! Its going to the discount bin a week or two after publication.

[FreedomPoster]

I bet the publisher has been watching the news of the last few months with dread.

[JoJo Gunn]

Nah. Even Charmin wouldn't accept it for recycling into toilet paper.

[freedomlover]

French culture has survived worse, including wars and revolutions

Cockroaches are supposed to survive nuclear war. Let's hear it for the Cockroach culture.

[TaMoDee]

Wee! Plant trees in the back yard so that when the German troops come through they will have a delightful garden to have lunch!

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

I can't wait to pick up a few discounted copies. They'll make dandy targets for the pistol range!

[freedomlover]

So does publisher Simon & Schuster, which says the timing may work in the book's favor -- offering closet Francophiles in the United States a guide to pursuing the politically incorrect in the privacy of their homes without having to sneak out to a French restaurant

Whoever came up with this one wins Spinner of the Year.

[Paul Atreides]

Just wait for each Clinton to get their books published, if ever. Emulating them is as French as anyone can get.

[paulklenk]

Amazon.com Sales Rank: 3,421

[Spruce]

To be french:

1. Purse your lips as if to whistle
2. INSTEAD of blowing. SUCK.
3. (optional)One may SUCK and BLOW, it is still french

[Starstruck]

Look down your nose at the bourgeoisie...Oh wait thats the Hollywood left. Nevermind.

[Billthedrill]

Good God - make room on the remainder shelves! I'm gonna pay 27 buckadingdongs for a lesson in sociopathological delusions of superiority? The only way this little brick could make me feel more French is if I open it midway, insert genitalia, and close it with a ten-ton hydraulic press while singing La Marseillaise...

[Republicanus_Tyrannus]

That'll be as popular as the hardcover, "Glarrgh-Uuuuruuggg-Splatter!!! Vomiting Throughout The Ages".

[AlaskaErik]

I have no desire to wave a white flag, paint a yellow stripe down my back, or to eat slimy snails. I was born an American and I'll die an American. That means waving the red, white and blue, standing up for myself and my country, and eating good old beef.

[LibKill]

Be French? I'd rather be dead.

[Lockbox]

Robert Arbor, how do you define the French ?

Easy. I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

...Book Tells Americans How to Be French...

No thanks. I can't live without a daily shower.