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344 of 367 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Scripted How to Win Friends and Influence People, June 8, 2000
This is a derivative work with script added, that builds on the psychological research of others. That approach can be beneficial, as long as you color between the lines. Lieberman promises you the moon. "This book contains only specific psychological tactics governing human behavior that will let you outsmart, outthink, and out maneuver . . . anyone, any place, anytime." After reading the book, I beg to differ. No book, and not this one, can do that much. If you are familiar with neuro-linguistic programming, Tony Robbins' work, and Robert Cialdini's work (Influence), you will find almost nothing new here. As usual, I watched closely to see what Lieberman would have to say about manipulation. His strongest argument is that everyone wants to help everyone else, and you are just making it easier for them to help you. Hmmm! Are you persuaded? If you are, rate the book a little higher. I thought several of the scripts were flawed, but many were quite good. The main problem related to being manipulative. But each of us has our own standards. If you are an unethical person looking to take advantage of someone, the methods in this book would often work all right for you. Frankly, I prefer the more balanced approach of Stephen Covey and Robert Cialdini in addressing when and where psychological tools can and should be used. The book is well done for what it is. If you don't share my concern about manipulation, be sure to read it. If you fear being manipulated, then be doubly sure to read it. Someone is bound to use these scripts on you at some time or other. Reading the book will be a good vaccine. Then you can resist what is truly not in your favor.
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76 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
way overstated, April 3, 2004
This review is from: Get Anyone to Do Anything: Never Feel Powerless Again--With Psychological Secrets to Control and Influence Every Situation (Paperback)
Ok, think for a minute. Get "anyone" to do "anything." Wow! "Never feel powerless again!" Never ever! "With psychological secrets" (ooooh, science) "to control and influence every situation!" Every single one! Imagine, you can be a god!
If the title doesn't alert you to the fact, there is a lot of overstatement in this book. A lot. From the title to the last sentence, it never stops, it never gets less ridiculous.
On the other hand, check out that subtitle again: "Never Feel Powerless Again." Do you often feel powerless? If so, you will probably learn a lot from this book. Actually, the book is full of sound advice, insight into human relationships straight from actual academic psychological research. Even if you don't feel powerless often, you will probably find some decent tips in here that will improve your relationships with other people.
I'm not sure which to emphasize: the fact that there is a lot of sound advice, or the fact that this author is clearly a salesman targeting socially insecure people and promising them more than he (or anyone) can ever deliver.
It's not bad advice, but it is bad form.
Anyway, if you think you could benefit from reading this book, you probably could. It helps me to browse it every so often, reviewing some of the principles he discusses.
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100 of 113 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Studies show this book blows, November 6, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Get Anyone to Do Anything: Never Feel Powerless Again--With Psychological Secrets to Control and Influence Every Situation (Paperback)
I noticed this book at a bookstore, browsed through it, and was surprised to see some useful content. I bought it, then browsed in greater detail. Some of the information will be valuable in situations similar to the ones mentioned in the book. Some of the information will remain useless. I would rate this book with 3 stars; however, something irks me about this book. Every chapter -- and I'm not exaggerating -- every stinking chapter refers to mythical "studies" that are never referenced elsewhere. The phrases "Studies suggest...", "many studies say..." and "Studies have show that..." litter the book. Lieberman uses this ploy to make his opinions appear legitimize. This cheap trick does not go unnoticed. Because Lieberman uses the tricks of a con artist, I cannot bring myself to recommend this book to anyone. While I did find value in some of the information, I don't appreciate being snowed.
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