You're Too Kind: A Brief History of Flattery - Tapa dura

This is a genial yet totally serious history of the timeless activity of flattery, defended here as often a victimless peccadillo that makes both the giver and receiver feel better - like telling a woman how much you like her new dress. Stengel argues that evolution has ultimately favoured sycophants because smooth talk trumps brute strength and it was our smaller, smarter ancestors who won the struggle over the big bruisers. As he drily notes: "This was the triumph of Woody Allen over Hulk Hogan." In Stengel's witty history, we are given examples of an ancient Egyptian peasant's shameless shmoozing of a judge some 4,000 years ago and flattery to be found between God and the Israelites in the Old Testament; also the romantic flattery of the medieval troubadours and much political flattery throughout the ages. A fine gift for St Valentine's Day - or at any other time!

A history of flattery, showing it to be an art form well worth studying. Ranging from the Pyramids of Ancient Egypt, an outrageous form of physical self-flattery to the publication of "How To Win Friends and Influence People". It looks at flattery during the Renaissance and President Clinton on the opening day of his impeachment inquiry: "I trust the American people. They almost always get it right".