The Body Language Handbook: How to Read Everyone's Hidden Thoughts and Intentions [Paperback]

Gregory Hartley (Author), Maryann Karinch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2010

Ever wonder what that raised eyebrow, nervous twitch, or lazy slouch really means? Is it profound and important...or a meaningless quirk?

In The Body Language Handbook, the authors use candid photos of real people in stress-free situations, then juxtapose them against others showing the same people responding to different kinds of stimulus to illustrate the power of body language. By going step-by-step from the holistic to the detailed, you'll quickly discover when body language indicates something significant, and when an itch is just an itch. You'll learn how to:

* Identify the basic mechanics of human communication.

* Observe what is culturally normal...and when determine"abnormal" matters.

* Read changes in body language.

* Avoid misunderstandings.

* Project the right message.

* Protect yourself from manipulation.

The Body Language Handbook will not only teach you how to read the body language of others, it will also make sure you send the signals you want to send. Increase your power of communication at the office, in a courtroom or classroom, at home, and in any social setting--even the poker table!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gregory Hartley started his career with the U.S. Army, teaching interrogation and resistance to interrogation, as well as providing interrogation support to Special Forces in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He then translated that military experience to businesses and has provided body language and behaviorial analysis for print, TV, and radio media. With Maryann Karinch, Hartley is the author of five other books about human behavior, deception and body language, including How to Spot a Liar, I Can Read You Like a Book, and Get People to Do What You Want.

Maryann Karinch is the author of 15 books, many of which address human behavior. Her corporate background includes senior communications positions with a variety of technology companies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Career Press (January 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160163076X
• ISBN-13: 978-1601630766
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #337,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gregory Hartley's expertise as an interrogator first earned him honors with the United States Army. More recently, it has drawn organizations such as the Defense Intelligence Agency, Navy SEALS, Federal law enforcement agencies, and national TV to seek his insights about "how to" as well as "why." He resides near Atlanta, Georgia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit basic but with good insights, February 11, 2010

By 

R. Collier "Rocky" (Hartsville, SC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Body Language Handbook: How to Read Everyone's Hidden Thoughts and Intentions (Paperback)

Hartley does a good job of describing basic non-verbal behaviors. For the new student or someone with a casual interest in the subject this tome is adequate. Of special note is the space given to non-verbal messaging from other cultures. I found this quite interesting and eye-opening. Who whould think I could be delivering a message of death by merely relaxing with my hands on my head!

Photographs were of rather poor quality and the gestures in some of them were questionable. Improving these would have enhanced the quality of the book.

Overall, a good read and an adequate review of basic non-verbal communication.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear Presentation and Detailed Information, February 25, 2010

By 

Judith Bailey (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Body Language Handbook: How to Read Everyone's Hidden Thoughts and Intentions (Paperback)

I thought this book was excellent. I was particularly struck by the analysis of individuality and culture it presents. I've lived in foreign countries so it makes sense to me that gestures are culturally influenced. In college, for example, I had a professor who taught both French and German. French students used to regularly visit his German classes (and vice versa) because he was so fluent that his gestures changed considerably when he switched languages. What fascinated me in this book, though, is how this combines with individual habits, limitations, etc. I've encountered people who have made me uncomfortable for reasons I couldn't quite explain. I got some insight into what might have been going on -- perhaps, for example, some slight physical limitation that altered the person's gestures or expressions and made them "feel" wrong to me. Also particularly interesting was the analysis of body language in the context of relationships between individuals.

I didn't feel that this book contained "psychobabble". In fact, I would say the language was clear and specific, unlike a number of other books I've read (or attempted to read). The authors present a detailed method for understanding and evaluating body language and gestures. The case studies are very helpful in applying this.

20 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Useless Psychobabble!, January 24, 2010

By 

Christopher M. Scott "Orthotech" (Erie, Pa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Body Language Handbook: How to Read Everyone's Hidden Thoughts and Intentions (Paperback)

I have ordered many books from Amazon regarding the subject of body language, reading people and influencing others. This is the only book I have EVER returned for a refund. I felt the money I spent on this book was entirely wasted and that a refund was in order. I have read this author before and his other book was bad, but I thought I'd give him another chance, big mistake. These two fancy themselves as academics, they are not. They have got so much material in this book that is utterly useless. It just drones on and on and you get frustrated and think "get to the point!". He talks of modifiers, adaptors, baselining- all this scientific jargon to make it sound intelligent, pretentious wording. It gets to the point where it borders on unintelligible. The photos in this book only add to its shoddy, subpar production.
This book in no way follows through with what the cover states. Please folks, do not waste your money on this book like I did, or you'll find yourself checking Amazon's return policy.