PETER'S QUOTATIONS

Collected quotations from Dr. Peter of the incompetence Principle. Unlike Bartlett's, which proceeds chronologically and groups by source, this is arranged alphabetically by subject--Ability to Zoos--which makes it ideal for speech writers and desperate book reviewers. (""Criticism comes easier than craftsmanship."" Zeuxis, ca. 400 B.C.) Along with the obvious topics (Automation, History, Marriage, Success) are some witty inserts: ""Mod Malaprops"" (""We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievements."" Richard Daley); ""Odium Literatim"" (""Henry James was one of the nicest old ladies I ever met."" William Faulkner); ""Similes"" (""Like a struggling spiritualist slipping her card into a passing coffin."" Derek Marlowe); and ""X-rated' (a dazzling eight quotations--""no involvement"" to ""stonewall""--from an unimpeachable source). Sometimes the listings are interchangeable (Yogi Berra's fractured phrases are in ""Sports"" but could compete with those ""Malaprops"") and several favorites are repeated. Leisurely Pater-patter, kind of like eating peanuts.