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Description and Opinions
Product Description:
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. If you do not tell the truth about yourself, you cannot tell it about other people. If you can't be kind, at least be vague. An aphorism is a pithy observation that attempts to communicate a truth about the human experience, often with a dash of wit. History's greatest thinkers and writers have viewed the aphorism as a potent tool, and it is remarkable how many of their most memorable observations have been introduced with the biggest little word in the human language: If. These ifferisms, as they have been dubbed by quotation anthologist Dr. Mardy Grothe, demonstrate the powerful role that hypothetical and conditional thinking play in our lives. This novel compendium of wisdom, wit, and wordplay presents nearly two thousand quotations that all begin with the word if. Alongside history's most famous sayings, readers will find—and often learn the fascinating story behind—such modern classics as "If you build it, they will come" and "If anything can go wrong, it will." In chapters on sex, love, sports, politics, advice, gender dynamics, and more, quotation lovers will savor scintillating observations from the usual suspects—Twain, Wilde, Shaw, Emerson, and Franklin—as well as scores of contemporary wits and wordsmiths.
ifferisms 
I have read all of this authors books and always look forward to his next one. I would and do recommend this book.
ernest reinhart
Proving the power of "if"
It's only two letters. So you might not think the word "if" would pack a punch. But Rudyard Kipling made a classic poem out of "If." That's the whole title of the poem -- just "If."
Now Mardy Grothe goes Kipling one better. Mardy Grothe makes a book out of the word.
Maybe the power of "if" should not be a surprise. Winston Churchill thought that short words are best, and short, old words best of all. "If" could not be much shorter. Nor older. As a short, old word, "if" has power.
Other two-letter power-packing words are out there too. Like "is." Remember how important "is" turned out to be? An issue of national import once depended on what the definition of "is" is. A president said so. A president of the United States. Can't get much more important than that.
So if "if" intrigues you, pick up "Ifferisms." Mardy Grothe has put together a book-full (a full 336 pages, believe it or not) of sayings that all begin with the word "if."
If you are not familiar with him (he is a he, by the way), Dr. Mardy Grothe is a psychologist, management consultant, and public speaker. He wrote four previous word-and-language books:
-- I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like
-- Viva la Repartee
-- Oxymoronica
-- Never Let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.
And Mardy Grothe has a weekly newsletter of sayings that might liven up your Saturday nights. It does mine. I look for it every week. (Of course, it doesn't take much to liven up my Saturday nights. If yours are more lively, you can save the newsletter for Sunday. It keeps.)
But back to the book. Reading Ifferisms gave me a new respect for the word "if." No longer will I discount the power of just two letters. Old, short words are good. I like "if."
But I hear Mardy Grothe is working on a new book. This book too will have quotations that all begin with the same word. So, could it be that this new word will be better than "if"?
I doubt it. Could any word be shorter than "if"? I don't think so. Older than "if"? No, not older either. So there seems little chance that this next book will be better than Ifferisms. Little chance at all.
Still, never say never.
If You Love Words and Clever Language....Get This Book!
Mardy's done it again! As a writer and language lover, I eagerly look forward to Mardy's collections of clever sayings, historical tidbits, and his own observations. This one doesn't disappoint. It's a fun read on every page, so open it and start anywhere.
If you love words, If you love clever wordplay, If you love brilliant use of language, get this book. And read it!
Atilla The Gate Agent (Travel Tales and Life Lessons from a Musical Laf-ologist
If you love witty, clever well written books, this one is for you!
If you love witty, clever, well-written books, this one is for you! In his latest book, IFFERISMS, Dr. Mardy Grothe has written another one of his scintillating, fascinating, and hard to put down collection of hilarious, profound, and stinging remarks from the famous and infamous. His intelligent introduction to each section sets the proper tone. His explanatory passages are perfect segues to even more interesting information about the situations, people, and emotional tone of the exchanges that provoked the remarks and bon mots he has collected over the years. His erudite comments lend so much to the book. Any chapter provides the reader with wisdom and wry observations on the human condition. I always look forward to his books and this one is no exception. I eagerly await "Neverisms" -- his next compilation of witticisms starting with Never. It's evident why his books reach #1 on Amazon's Best Sellers Lists in his genre.
-- Linnda Durre', Ph.D.
Joining with others ..
This is the fourth book by Grothe I have read. The best feature of the books are the short introductions and explanations of many aphorisms. He really has gone through a lot of trouble in finding the etymology of many sayings. The selections are good, though often rather negative. These books are not for those who want to find something positive to brisk their life. For an European some sections are a bit unfamiliar. I know American film and politics quite well, but sport sections are not for me. Some of the names are familiar, but American type of football and baseball are curious games for most Europeans. The are no aphorisms about wolleyball, cross-counry skiing or even track and field. Never mind, these are great books. I am going to use many of these aphorisms in my lectures (I have PhD in psychology, like Grothe).
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