Seldom Right But Never In Doubt: Essays, Journalism, and Social Commentary, 1997-2012

By turns playful, angry, clever, serious, sentimental, cynical, and ribald, Joseph Dobrian’s essays and journalism turn conventional wisdom on its ear. This collection of Joseph Dobrian’s non-fiction provides new, contrarian perspectives on a wide range of subjects, and dares you to disagree. In the course of this book, the author: • explains what it means to write honestly • debunks the concept of “unconditional love” • contrasts modern and old-fashioned ideas of etiquette • discusses the finer points of food, drink, and personal style • looks askance at politics, justice, and religion • dissects “The Awful English Language” • advises on how to keep romance alive • suggests what music to listen to, on the last night of your life Whether or not he’s right, is for the reader to decide — but Joseph Dobrian is never in doubt. “The American Orwell. Agree with him or not, Joseph Dobrian is a wonderful writer.” — Casper Melick “Even if you can’t agree with everything in Joseph Dobrian’s aptly titled book of maddening and illuminating essays — and I certainly can’t — you can’t help but admire the passion and perception revealed in each one. Provocateur, devil’s advocate, pontificator, stylist, romantic, 24/7 judge and jury, humanist despite his best intentions to the contrary, he will irritate you, entertain you, and just possibly make you rethink your own indefensible positions.” — Holly Carver