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Should You Judge This Book by Its Cover?

100 Fresh Takes on Familiar Sayings and Quotations

By Julian Baggini

List Price: $15.95

May 4, 2010 | Paperback | 5.4 x 8.1, 223 pages | ISBN 9781582436043
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“Life is not a dress rehearsal.” — Rose Tremain
“It’s easy saying what things are not. Life is not a bed of roses, God is not an old man sitting in a cloud, winning isn’t everything. Some negations, however, are more informative than others. Thinking about why an egg is not an elephant won’t get you very far, whereas realizing life is not a dress rehearsal might. It’s a reminder that this life is a one-shot deal, and if you mess it up, there’s no second try.”
In Should You Judge This Book by Its Cover philosopher Julian Baggini examines the meanings behind a host of everyday expressions. Is it really always better to practice what you preach? To do as the Romans do? To be safe, not sorry?
In his quest for clarity in everyday language, Baggini leaves no saying behind as he considers such expressions as “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink” and “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Far from a reference book, this entertaining collection is full of short, stimulating capsules of defiantly clear thinking that are meant to fuel thought and conversation.

About Julian Baggini

JULIAN BAGGINI is the editor and co-founder of The Philosopher’s Magazine and a regular contributor to the Guardian. His previous books include The Duck That Won the Lottery and the bestselling The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten, which has been translated into eighteen languages. He lives in the United Kingdom.

Praise
"Life is not a dress rehearsal." -- Rose Tremain

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