Customer Rating: 
Summary: I recommend this to everyone! No exception!
Comment: I assure you that unless your father is John D. Rockefeller, you will certainly learn something new on the subject of handling people by reading this book!
Have you ever wanted to rationalize human interaction into a set of logical rules? Have you ever wandered how you can become better at it?
This is such an interesting subject, yet it's never taught to us in school. We are somehow expected to learn these skills by trial and error over tens of years. Why would anyone want to waste so much time when books like this are readily available?
Customer Rating:
Summary: Everyone should read this book.
Comment: In summary, this book is really interesting and informative and gives good examples which backs up the theory. Some of it is obvious, but nonetheless worth a read. I think everybody should read this book - some people are so miserable and have no social skills. I think I may send a copy to some relatives (anonymously, of course) as they could do with heading the book's advice! I'm going to keep my copy, however, as it is good to refer to it to remind yourself of the advice.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The ratings speak for themselves
Comment: I read in 'How I made it: 40 entrepreneurs reveal all' by Rachel Bridge that this book had influenced someone greatly, to the extent that they became a millionaire, and thought no more of it. I then also read in 'Forbes 20 greatest business stories of all time' that this book had also influenced a very successful person (whose name I can't recall!)
This interested me enough to purchase Dale Carengies book and I think it is very well written and the advice contained within it is sound. All you need to do is look at the many good ratings and reviews of it on Amazon. If that doesn't tempt you, nothing will.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Successful Relating!
Comment: Dale Carnegie wrote a timeless book. I am so amazed that this book was first published in 1936 and its words of wisdom still ring true in 2008. "How to Win Friends & Influence People" has such gems of insight as taking interest in other people. How do you do this? You take your attention off yourself, and truly listen to what others have to say from their point of view. As I've been practicing this suggestion I find that my communication with friends and co-workers flourishes. I had a great day at work today. As people would come to my cubicle and ask questions, I really listened. And magically they were no longer interruptions throughout my day, but fun moments of relationship. And I got more work done because I didn't waste time complaining, comparing or judging in my thoughts while they were speaking with me.
As Dale Carnegie was a pioneer and expert in human relations in his day, Ariel and Shya Kane are Masters in today's world. In their books, Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life, How to Create a Magical Relationship: The 3 Simple Ideas that Will Instantaneously Transform Your Love Life: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Love Life and Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, I have found that my relationships have blossomed. The Kanes teach the art of listening. As I integrate the principles mentioned in their award winning books, I am more effective, productive and satisfied in all aspects of my life. Life is all about relating. I am grateful that there are authors such as Carnegie and the Kanes who share the secrets to experiencing magical relationships.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A great guide for anyone, not just the perplexed
Comment: This is a great book for anyone, not just anyone who's either perplexed by people skills or a professional who regularly handles people.
I first read it when I was about seventeen or eighteen and it did seem just as hokey as the title might suggests, it is a presentation of a series of truisms with lots of anecdotal stories told well.
The chapters break down into handling people (for instance dont critize, condemn or complain), how to become likeable (smiling, listening skills, recalling people's names, developing a sincere interest in others and making them feel important), how to win people to your way of thinking (lots of great ways of phrasing, paraphrasing and rephrasing dialogue to get a win-win situation) and finally being a leader, how to change people without giving offense or arousing resentment.
Now the skills outlined in the book might come as a surprise or you might realise that you've been using them all along but never been that conscious or deliberate about it before.
Whether you intend to put it all into practice or not its still a great read, Carnegie answers his critics in a way in the course of the book by describing how salesmen would attend his lectures looking for a sort of machavellian insight and he told them it wasnt possible to rival sincere interest in others, neat tricks wouldnt cut it with people.
So, I opened by saying its a great book for the general reader, and it is, however I'd also say its a great book for professionals, I've read lots of other books on communication and interpersonal skills, including psychological, therapist and motivational texts and this remains among the best. Although I doubt you'll find it on any university reading list.
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