Bodytalk: The Meaning of Human Gestures [Paperback]

Desmond Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 21, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0517883554 | ISBN-13: 978-0517883556 | Edition: 1St Edition

This world guide is the first attempt ever made to bring together, in a single volume, gestures from all around the world. More than 600 common gestures are illustrated, described, and explained. For the traveler, this guide is indispensable. But it also has special appeal for anyone who is interested in human communication.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Noted English zoologist Morris presents some 600 human gestures from around the world. Each page succinctly demonstrates two to three gestures, giving the meaning and the area of the world where this gesture is used. The small line drawings that clarify each gesture make this book superior to similar "dictionary" books on the subject. The book does suffer slightly in two regards. First, an index to meanings would have helped; short of scanning the entire book, there is no way to find all the gestures that, for example, express "love." Second, the book is organized by body parts, but where does the reader look if a gesture uses two or more body parts? A double listing might have been more helpful. This title will complement Morris's earlier works, Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior (1977) and Gestures (1979, co-authored) and is recommended for larger public and academic libraries.?Stella I. Wheat, Univ. of Southern Mississippi Lib., Hattiesburg
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Morris and his researchers have identified more than 600 gestures that are used internationally and locally to indicate emotions, attitudes, and messages. Not linked to sign language, these gestures are informal and are used in conversation or in lieu of words. Each gesture is classified by the major body part involved (e.g., eye wink or thumb hitch). Then, the meaning, action, and background are spelled out, accompanied by a helpful drawing. Some of these gestures are used universally, others are primarily used in specific countries. This international perspective may save travelers from embarrassing situations and adds interest to an already intriguing dictionary of motion. Denise Perry Donavin

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Product Details

• Paperback: 231 pages
• Publisher: Crown; 1St Edition edition (February 21, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517883554
• ISBN-13: 978-0517883556
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #451,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gestures -- Revealed!, July 12, 2000

By 

Catherine Gray (Holland, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bodytalk: The Meaning of Human Gestures (Paperback)

For anyone interested in human gestures as hobby or for their work, this is an excellent sorce of information. It is set up like a dictionary, with all the gestures you can think of plus their meanings and where the gesture has been sited. It's a very useful and interesting book for anyone wanting to study the human animal.

2.0 out of 5 stars A Waste, November 7, 2011

By 

Cristen Collins - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bodytalk: The Meaning of Human Gestures (Paperback)

This book is useless. Anyone who has spent time aorund other humans is already aware of the body language descriptions in this book. It is basically a picture book of gestures that are so obvious. Dont waste your money.

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Low, low level..., August 30, 2000

By 

Thierry Borloz "TB" (Suisse) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bodytalk: The Meaning of Human Gestures (Paperback)

This book is really a poor book ! Read in less than two hours, it may have an interest for people who have not the slightest idea about that subject... There is no science in that book ! I regret the few bucks I have paid for it...

If you read French and you want a really good book on non-verbal communication, try Jacques Corraze "Les communications non-verbales" that is a top level book !