cover image The Unofficial Secretary's Handbook

The Unofficial Secretary's Handbook

Richard Mintzer, Rich Mintzer. Plume Books, $7 (112pp) ISBN 978-0-452-26156-3

The coauthor of The Unofficial Nurse's Handbook and freelance writer Netter provoke more smiles than laughs in this secretarial satire. They touch on every aspect of the nine-to-five life, from getting hired to quitting: ``Get coffee for your bossin Brazil.'' Along with quizzes and lists, they offer tips on writing memos and business letters, office equipment, dress codes (``Skirts: These are not advised for male secretaries''), faking dictation, calling in sick, new creative uses for Wite-Out (``Reletter typewriter keys for your own convenience'') and office etiquette (``Never trust a boss who calls you for dictation and asks you to bring a pencil, notepad, and bottle of champagne''). Several types of secretaries are profiled, including office temps: `` `The Temp' can always keep one comforting thought in mind: `I never have to see these people again.' '' The edges of the witticisms are occasionally blunted by gags, scattered throughout, that go beyond forced humor into mere silliness: ``Smear butter on the roller of your typewriter to handily butter corn on the cob.'' Illustrated. (Oct.)