Martin Kihn was the nicest guy in the world – and it was killing him. But on the day he turned forty, Marty decided to change his life – for the meaner. Tired of being passed over for promotions at work, Marty set out on a journey to transform himself from Mr. Nice Guy into a rule-breaking, order-giving d******d like the “Marty Kaan” character played by Don Cheadle in the Showtime series House of Lies, based on Kihn’s book of the same name.
A*****e is the story of Kihn’s ascent from Beta Male to Alpha Male to A*****e. He shares the techniques that helped him hone his image as a jerk, including the essential body language (don’t smile, unless others are in pain); covers typical activities (credit stealing, getting even); and delineates classic behavior patterns, including speaking loudly and interrupting often, and insisting you’ve never, ever made a mistake.
From acting lessons to boxing lessons, from hiring a life coach to covertly observing his nemesis at work, Marty develops the Seven Principles of Assholism. But will it be enough to earn him a promotion? Or will he alienate others to the point where his own wife won’t be able to stand him?