Ahole∗isa2008memoirandsatiricalself−helpbookwrittenby∗∗MartinKihn∗∗.Thebookpresentsahumorousandexaggeratedguidetosuccessbyembracingnarcissism,selfishness,andconfidence.Kihnrecountshisjourneyoftransformingfromthe”nicestguyintheworld”intoan”asshole”tosucceedinthecompetitivecorporateworld.Thebook’stitleintheU.S.wasmodifiedslightlyto∗Ahole* is a 2008 memoir and satirical self-help book written by **Martin Kihn**. The book presents a humorous and exaggerated guide to success by embracing narcissism, selfishness, and confidence. Kihn recounts his journey of transforming from the “nicest guy in the world” into an “asshole” to succeed in the competitive corporate world. The book’s title in the U.S. was modified slightly to *Ahole∗isa2008memoirandsatiricalself−helpbookwrittenby∗∗MartinKihn∗∗.Thebookpresentsahumorousandexaggeratedguidetosuccessbyembracingnarcissism,selfishness,andconfidence.Kihnrecountshisjourneyoftransformingfromthe”nicestguyintheworld”intoan”asshole”tosucceedinthecompetitivecorporateworld.Thebook’stitleintheU.S.wasmodifiedslightlyto∗Ahole: How I Got Rich & Happy by Not Giving a Damn About Anyone & How You Can, Too.
Concept and Content
The story begins with Kihn, working for a marketing company, who is told that unless he changes his approach, he will be demoted and his colleague, “The Nemesis,” will take his position. To save his career, Kihn sets out to “master the art of assholism,” hiring a life coach, acting coach, and even a dog trainer to help him become more assertive and ruthless.
The book follows Kihn as he creates a ten-step “assholism” program, which includes behaviors like:
- Ignoring others’ feelings
- Dressing in black silk
- Eating red meat exclusively
- Practicing kickboxing
- Emulating famous figures like Donald Trump and Scarface
- Engaging in public displays of dominance
The ultimate goal is for Kihn to land a promotion, crush “The Nemesis,” and achieve wealth. His tactics prove successful, leading to his book being sold to Hollywood for a six-figure sum before it was even written.
Martin Kihn’s Ten Steps to Becoming an Asshole
- Fake it ‘til you make it: Act confident, pushy, and assertive.
- Find asshole role models: Observe and imitate successful “assholes.”
- Hire a life coach: Use meditation and visualization to transform yourself.
- Become the alpha dog: Study dominance behaviors, even from dogs.
- Be a fighter, not a lover: Use physical pain and a meat-heavy diet to toughen up.
- Show no interest in others: Interrupt and dominate conversations.
- Criticize in public, praise in private: Manipulate others for your benefit.
- Keep your eyes on the prize: Stay focused on your goals at all costs.
- Never admit a mistake: Lie and maintain an air of infallibility.
- Leap before you look: Act decisively and avoid overthinking.
Critical Reception
A$$hole has received a mix of positive and negative reviews:
- Booklist praised Kihn’s ability to capture witty dialogue and comedic sensibilities.
- Publishers Weekly acknowledged the book’s mix of racy humor and sentiment but noted it might receive less credit than it deserves.
- Robert Sutton, author of The No Asshole Rule, called it “one of the funniest books” he had read and noted its “remarkably useful” advice in a “sick” way.
- Rory Freeman, co-author of Skinny Bitch, found the book “remarkably profane, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly sentimental.”
- John Alexander, author of How To Become an Alpha Male, noted Kihn’s storytelling ability, stating that the book takes readers on a journey that leads to an unexpected lesson.
Success and Legacy
Kihn’s transformation into an “asshole” led to his success in both his career and personal life. He used his experiences to sell the rights to the book to Hollywood, securing a six-figure deal before completing the manuscript. His strategies for becoming ruthless and self-focused in his work were both humorous and surprisingly effective, making the book a satirical commentary on the corporate world.
