The Official Preppy Handbook

The Official Preppy Handbook
Cover of first edition
AuthorLisa Birnbach
Jonathan Roberts
Carol McD. Wallace
Mason Wiley
IllustratorOliver Williams
LanguageEnglish
SubjectHumor
Secondary education
PublisherWorkman Publishing
Publication date
October 1980
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePaperback book
Pages224
ISBN0-89480-140-6
978-0-89480-140-2
OCLC6762701
373.2/22/0973
LC ClassLC58.7 .O35 1980
Followed byTrue Prep: It's a Whole New Old World 

The Official Preppy Handbook (1980) is a satirical reference guide edited by Lisa Birnbach and written by Jonathan Roberts, Carol McD. Wallace, Mason Wiley, and Birnbach.[1] It discusses an aspect of North American culture described as prepdom. In addition to insights on prep school and university life at socially acceptable schools,[2] it illuminates many aspects of the conservative upper middle class, old money WASP society.[3] Topics range from appropriate clothing for social events to choosing the correct college and major.[4]

The book addresses "preppy" life from birth to old age, lending understanding to the cultural aspects of "preppy" life. In general, elementary and secondary school, college, and the young adult years receive the most attention. Coverage lessens during the book's latter chapters. The book was first published in 1980 by Workman Publishing.

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