About the Author

Aaron James holds a PhD from Harvard and is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Irvine. He was awarded the Burkhardt fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies, spending the 2009-10 academic year at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. James is the author of Fairness in Practice. He's an avid surfer... and he's not an asshole.

Reviews

Splendid. - Oliver BurkemanCurrently in love with a book called 'A**holes: A Theory' - Bette MidlerThe thrust of James' thesis is timely. Energetically argued and provoking...well worth the discomfort; not least for Aaron James's magnificent 'Letter to an A**hole', which ends the book. - Literary ReviewThis is a book that should appeal equally to the general reader and the philosophical specialist. James's analysis of a**hole capitalism is a tour de force of philosophically astute political analysis and criticism. His witty and accessible study draws on his lucid and brilliant accounts of the best in contemporary moral and political philosophy. - Marshall Cohen, University Professor Emeritus, University of Southern CaliforniaAaron James provides us with a delightful philosophical romp through the world of a**holes. I was especially tickled by his analysis of different types: smug a**holes, royal royal a**holes, the presidential a**hole, corporate a**holes, the reckless a**holes, to name a few. - Robert I. Sutton, Stanford Professor and author of the New York Times bestsellers The No A**hole Rule and Good Boss, Bad BossJames's research is both thorough and imaginative; his impressive source list ranges from obscure philosophy books to popular websites to Rudyard Kipling to Kanye West, hip-hop's greatest a**hole. The author s enthusiasm for the subject makes it possible to get through the book quickly.... There are moments of great insight and outright hilarity. - Kirkus ReviewsJames's volume is equal parts philosophical meditation and historical survey, but its true value lies in his attempt to precisely define the term. - New York MagazineA delightful combination of the demotic and the technical... James gives us some practical advice for confronting a**holes, for maintaining self-respect and social position in a world full of them. - Harpers Magazine