Edward T. Hall opens up new dimensions of understanding and perception of human experience by helping us rethink our values in constructive ways.
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"A fascinating book." -- Ashley Montag, Chicago Daily News
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Edward T. Hall opens up new dimensions of understanding and perception of human experience by helping us rethink our values in constructive ways.
"A fascinating book." -- Ashley Montag, Chicago Daily News
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
It's amazing to me that the (brilliantly simple) ideas found in this book aren't more a part of public consciousness and discussion, especially 25 years after its publication. These aren't high-flying concepts. They're experimentally proven and frighteningly basic revelations about how humans function, and the fact that they were never a part of my curriculum in one of the best prep schools in the country and then a top Ivy League school simply drives home Hall's point about the state of academia. My only complaint is that the book jumps around quickly and doesn't always spend as much time as I'd like on particular threads. It also isn't particularly actionable, but given its conclusions this is not surprising. I recommend Maps of Meaning by Jordan Peterson for another fascinating look at how the cross-cultural human psyche is configured. It's a powerful counterpoint to the fashionable but vacuous idea that everything in culture is an arbitrary construct, unconnected to millions of years of evolution of the human organism.
60 of 63 people found the following review helpful
By J. G. Heiser
Format:Paperback
This is a brilliant book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more of Hall.
Hall was one of the influences on Robert Moran, a professor who teaches Cross-Cultural Communications at the American Graduate School of International Management (see his book "Managing Cultural Differences"). Although Moran and his co-authors draw on dozens of sources, somehow Hall and his concept of Low-Context and High-Context cultures made a big impression on me in Moran's class. My only regret is having waited so long to actually read this classic.
Hall introduces the concept of context as an human behavioral influence. A high-context situation is one in which much of the communication is non-verbal or understood because of the shared context. He characterizes societies as being either low-context, which are typical of northern Europe, or high-context, most dramatically represented by Japan. Context even affects language, and human speech patterns will change, depending upon who they are speaking to and the context of the communication.
I also thought that his concept of `action chains' was perceptive. An AC is a sequence of events in which two or more individuals participate. Shaking hands is a simple chain; becoming engaged is a more complex one. Again, different cultures vary in their emphasis on completing action chains. An American may be very casual about dropping an ongoing chain, which may be very negatively received in other cultures.
His chapter "Culture as an Irrational Force" is full of good common-sense advice on getting along with other people. Hall has provided advice to diplomats and corporate executives, and his book reflects this practical experience. While it delves into theory, his concepts always have a concrete application.
I found his next-to-last chapter, "Culture as an Irrational Force," entertaining, but I had to agree with much of its overt overt political agenda. He has some very strong political opinions on human institutions and the declining state of academia. According to Hall, "Bureacracies have no soul, no memory, and no conscience."
Certainly, anyone interested in cross-cultural communications would benefit from this book. At a time when both America and Europe are dealing with immigration issues, this is also an helpful text to help build an awareness of cultural underpinnings that can otherwise be negatively interpreted, leading to misunderstanding and prejudice.
38 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Hall provides us with simple but logical comments on culture
and its influence on behavior. Leading us from his first
experiences as anthropologist to the creation of his well-
known communication theory (high- & low-context communication).
What does culture do for us in our daily-lifes? Do we have to
look at it from a neutral point of view or is it just one
more issues we should feel guilty about? His journey through
culture helps us identifying key-issues that all of us should
care about in general. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as
I did.
and its influence on behavior. Leading us from his first
experiences as anthropologist to the creation of his well-
known communication theory (high- & low-context communication).
What does culture do for us in our daily-lifes? Do we have to
look at it from a neutral point of view or is it just one
more issues we should feel guilty about? His journey through
culture helps us identifying key-issues that all of us should
care about in general. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as
I did.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, YES, YES.
Previous reviewers have said it well -- this should be required reading for everyone. I've read and re-read this book. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Alyson J. Schacherer
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Diplomatic Origins of Intercultural Communication
Edward T. Hall played a founding role in the establishment of intercultural communication as an academic discipline. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Etienne ROLLAND-PIEGUE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best book I've ever read on cultural differences
This book had so many "YES!!!" moments for me that I hardly know where to touch down. The way Hall describes how to recognize the differences between low and high context cultures... Read more
Published 18 months ago by S.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fundamental for multi-cultural humans
If you're reading this, you will really appreciate Beyond Culture.
It is a most annoying book. Read more
It is a most annoying book. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Angela Sarandon
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for cross cultural studies
I've always found Hall's books to be interesting and relevant to my life from business to spirituality and this book has lived up to that same expectation. Read more
Published on May 28, 2010 by Taylor Ellwood
4.0 out of 5 stars
Broad perspectives on culture and human society
Beyond culture is a classic in cultural and anthropological literature. The book was originally written in 1976 and part of the content and research is somewhat dated at the time... Read more
Published on March 30, 2010 by Bas Vodde
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helps you see what you have not seen.
I have read it at least 6 times since it was originally published.
It speaks to the current world scene each time and probably will for the next 50 years. Read more
It speaks to the current world scene each time and probably will for the next 50 years. Read more
Published on January 8, 2006 by C. Swanson
4.0 out of 5 stars
but within our understanding
This is not Hall's best known book but it incorporates many of the ideas that were originally presented in the Silent Language and applies them to culture. Read more
Published on November 22, 2004 by Tom Reynolds
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-read for "Diversity in the Workplace"
Since other reviewers have summarized this book, my suggestion is to read it with present-day work environments in mind. Read more
Published on August 7, 2003 by Jill Zimmer
5.0 out of 5 stars
UNDERSTANDING OUR WORLD
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE READ THE BOOK. THE LAST TIME WAS A 110 YEARS AGO IN COLLEGE. MR. HALL MAKES US THINK ABOUT OTHER CULTURES AND ESPECIALLY OUR OWN CULTURE. Read more
Published on October 10, 2001 by Barbara A. Tidwell
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