In this book, a lawyer who teaches other lawyers how to negotiate, and who has written previous books on the topic, teaches how to use “CrankaTsuris” (quirks, pesky habits, and obstacles people wish weren’t part of their nature but are), to their full advantage. Each chapter tells humorous stories of how the ineffective use of CrankaTsuris, that is, holding them in, makes them worse. Further, it shows how the ensuing turnarounds are opportunities to enjoy life.

In true lawyer fashion, the means of convincing is unexpected and sneaky. Instead of methodical, prescriptive, and pedantic advice, witty expressions of what not to do in the form of fairy tales, idioms, and illustrations make what to do palatable. For example, a retelling of the Three Little Pigs becomes a lesson in making a dirty, messy trait (playing in the mud) into a skill (a brick house). Cinderella, protesting injustices against her, receives her just desserts as well as a successful shoe business. In a reworking of The Wizard of Oz, it turns out that the characters had hearts, minds, and the home they were looking for all along.

Some chapters deal in sayings rather than fables. “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst,” “barking up the wrong tree,” and “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” are turned inside out with funny stories and make-believe characters. For instance, the Barkers get help from Dr. Burt to learn to bark up the right tree and communicate with each other. Noodles and sauerkraut also make appearances. Comic illustrations at the start of every chapter highlight the humor that helps accept CrankaTsuris in one’s self and others. In short, Joseph’s funny and inspiring book will help readers see that their perceived liabilities may actually be strengths.

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