Martin Kihn was the nicest guy in the world – and it was killing him. But on the day he turned forty, Marty decided to change his life – for the meaner. Tired of being passed over for promotions at work, Marty set out on a journey to transform himself from Mr. Nice Guy into a rule-breaking, order-giving dickhead like the “Marty Kaan” character played by Don Cheadle in the Showtime seriesHouse of Lies, based on Kihn’s book of the same name.

Asshole is the story of Kihn’s ascent from Beta Male to Alpha Male to Asshole. He shares the techniques that helped him hone his image as a jerk, including the essential body language (don’t smile, unless others are in pain); covers typical activities (credit stealing, getting even); and delineates classic behavior patterns, including speaking loudly and interrupting often, and insisting you’ve never, ever made a mistake.

From acting lessons to boxing lessons, from hiring a life coach to covertly observing his nemesis at work, Marty develops the Seven Principles of Assholism. But will it be enough to earn him a promotion? Or will he alienate others to the point where his own wife won’t be able to stand him?