Sterling Archer

Exactly what it says on the cover. Sterling Archer finds himself cornered into writing a how-to book on how to be, well, Sterling archer, and does so with equal portions surprising candor and unsurprising unhelpfulness. While I doubt this would be very entertaining to anyone who hasn't watched the television series, to those who have, this is a delight. Every single line is so very Archer, you can virtually hear the dry deliveries in the voice of H. Jon Benjamin as you read.

Do you love Archer? Of course you do, because if you're reading this, you're my friend, and all my friends have excellent taste in everything. How to Archer is pretty much what it says on the tin: a perfectly in-character guidebook from Archer himself where he talks about how awesome he is. Don't expect useful advice (well, except maybe the cocktails) or more insight into the world of Archer. On the other hand, if you can do a decent H. Jon Benjamin impression in your head, it's fairly show more hilarious and worth the $2 I paid for my copy. show less

Originally posted at The Wandering Fangirl.

Unless you’re a fan of the FX television show Archer this novel is based on, it’ll pretty much fly over your head, I believe. The humor is so specific and inflammatory that it won’t really work with someone who isn’t familiar with it, which is this book's major downfall.

That aside, as a huge Archer fan, I LOVED IT. Every single word written is pitch perfect, and I could hear it all narrated by H. Jon Benjamin, who voices Archer on the show. show more The chapters vary from drink and food recipes to what to do when you’re lucky enough to have sex with Archer and some actual tips on being a spy. It’s all so tongue in cheek and perfectly Archer that I can’t really say much more about it. I read it in one delighted sitting and then ended up marathoning some of my favorite Archer episodes just because. show less

http://blog.booklistonline.com/2011/12/16/archer-the-book/

If you like the TV show Archer, you will probably enjoy this book; if you haven't seen the show, you will probably be confused (and/or appalled). In the book, secret agent Sterling Archer writes about How to Spy, How to Drink, How to Style, How to Dine, and How to Pay for It, but anyone who picked this up expecting practical advice on any of these topics will be sorely disappointed. Anyone who picked it up expected to be entertained, show more however, should be satisfied.

Quotes:

Footnote p. 43: They say stress is the silent killer. But poison darts are also pretty damn quiet.

p. 101: The tuxedo is worn with...a cummerbund, the pleats of which should face upward. This is so you can stash some Goldfish crackers in there.

Appendix C, p. 162: Peru is the native habitat of the endangered Spectacled Bear, the species that served as the inspiration for...Paddington Bear! Paddington Bear! Paddington Bear! Yay, Paddington! show less