MRS. PARKINSON'S LAW

by C. Northcote Parkinson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 30, 1968

Mr. Parkinson, having been so acutely right in his Newtonian Law, now, like another engaging seer, countryman actor Robert Morley, honors an imperative to Tory-it up-and-down about the passing scene. Nothing wrong in that of course, but not to be taken as gospel. This time the matter is marriage. Predictably the eye rolls back to the happy order of yesteryear. Girls should know that sex equality is useless--open submission leads to a ""usually decisive influence"": Dewey-eyed education is bosh; oh, for the thunder of father's Jovian foot on the stair! But then, imbedded in the grumps and harrumphs is Mrs. Parkinson's Law: ""Work under pressure produces a heat which expands to fill the mind available, from which it will pass only into a mind that is relatively cooler."" A very busy supporting equation follows. Unfortunately there is none at all for the delectable observation that it is pointless repetition to produce offspring just for the sake of replacing a parent. (Why should an accountant ""spend his life providing the community with another stockbroker"" and vice versa?). Amongst advice on married traveling, entertaining, raising children (give them a goal and require them to join in), automation and romance--a few quotable canons. Outside the Law some hijinks; some yawns.

Pub Date: Oct. 30, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Houghton, Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION