Danny Wallace is a British writer whose numerous roles include film maker and comedian. Here he takes on the subject of rudeness in its many forms and explores it from many angles. It is a dense study of why rudeness has grown to tidal proportions in contemporary society, taking in plentiful sources. Danny's obsession with the topic derives from a comic hot dog incident in a cafe. He begins with an admittedly highly funny tale of Omar who in 2015 left his supermarket job and Britain to join the terror group, ISIS, only to be deeply disappointed with the high levels of rudeness and bad manners of the radical militants. This is not what Omar had signed for, he had expected better.

Wallace engages in wide ranging research, suggests activities, takes polls and relates various case studies. He ponders on the nature of how women face prejudice as they are perceived as rude and aggressive for merely expressing opinions or challenging men in the workplace in a way that men are not. Many experts such as psychiatrists and psychologists are consulted to pin down why people are rude and what can be done about it. Many areas are touched on from road rage in Los Angeles, Donald Trump, the implosion of Charlie Sheen, rudeness going viral, and the rise in internet trolling thanks to anonymity. There are countless conversations with ordinary people eliciting their views on the subject. The qualities identified in positive and successful strategies in responding to rudeness are interesting and are commonsense. Outcomes of the treatise include the Wallace Report on the subject.

This is a book for those who might be interested in rudeness explored with humour. I suggest reading this in bite size pieces as the information just keeps coming at you relentlessly. The overwhelming positivity in Wallace's approach is to be admired given the rise of rudeness globally. Wallace adeptly shines a knowledgeable light on rudeness in a manner that draws in the reader effortlessly with anecdotes and academic research. Thanks to Random House Ebury for an ARC. (less)