A slap in the face Why insults hurt and why they shouldn't

Philosophy professor Irvine begins this intriguing book with an examination of the various types of insult: verbal and physical, of course, but also practical jokes, the silent treatment, backbiting, insults by omission, insults by implication, accidental insults, sarcasm, and so on. Readers looking to add to their stock of insults will find much good material here, but they'll also find an insightful analysis of the way we insult each other, why we do it, how we react, and how we can adjust our notion of insults and modify our reactions to them. Do we tend to overreact to insults? Do we see an insult where none is intended? Especially interesting is the author's look at the ways we, as a society, have attempted to deal with insults and his analysis of whether these approaches are successful, or even necessary (perhaps the best way to deal with insults is simply to laugh them off). Written in a lively, entertaining style, the book is intended for a general audience, and anyone who picks it up should find something of interest.--Pitt, David Copyright 2010 Booklist

We may not like to admit it, but the impulse to wound with words has long been a part of human history, Irvine (A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy) contends in this melange of philosophy, psychology, and cultural study. Insults may range from barbs meant as flirtatious bait to the famously eloquent gibes of Shakespeare, but Irvine pragmatically argues that regardless of intention or context, we must understand insults in order to deal with them: "Sticks and stones can break your bones," he concedes, "but you should develop a strategy to minimize the pain you experience when people call you names." To that end, Irvine, a philosophy professor at Wayne State University, investigates the history of abuse, as well as the rhetoric of insult delivery and the science behind feeling affronted. He posits that the power of insults derives from our profoundly social nature, and that we wouldn't feel hurt if we weren't simultaneously invested in others and worried about how they see us. Irvine ultimately opines that a return to the pacifism and equanimity of the ancient Stoics is our best bet for dealing with insult, and while such a stance may be off-putting to some readers, Irvine adds a welcome dose of insight to injury. Agent: Byrd Leavell, Waxman Leavell Literary Agency. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.