Gossip

<p>Gossip is no trivial matter; despite its reputation Epstein argues it is an eternal and necessary human enterprise. Proving that he himself is a master of the art Epstein serves up delightful mini-biographies of the Great Gossips of the Western World along with many choice bits from his own experience. He also makes a powerful case that gossip has morphed from its old-fashioned best clever mocking a great private pleasure to a corrosive new-school version thanks to the reach of the mass media and the Internet.<br />Written in his trademark erudite and witty style <em>Gossip </em>captures the complexity of this immensely entertaining subject."</p>