Customer Reviews

How to Read a Person Like a Book

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have read several books on body language, and find this book in the middle of the pack. The general information in the book is good overall, though rarely surprising. Although body language probably does not change within a culture very rapidly, this book is very dated, and was, in fact, originally published in 1971. The book betrays its age by references to elaborate hair grooming and preening customs among hippies, and an extensive analysis of smoking behavior during business negotiations, which, while still a factor in some predominantly Asian countries, is now a nearly defunct custom in most of the west, certainly in corporate America. While people interested in the history of body language may find the accounts of pipe lighting and cigarette extinguishing practices interesting, it is largely a distraction. The illustrations also reveal the age of the book: they are all black and white pen and ink drawings, and while they are not terrible, there are much better illustrations available now.

Having said all that, there is some good information in the book, and I think the book would be especially useful to people new to thinking consciously about body language. I like the quotations that begin every section: everyone from Shakespeare to Pliny the Elder is quoted, and they really do set the tone for the section that follows.

Interestingly, one of the reasons many people are interested in body language is in the field of romance, and while the dust jacket primes the reader to expect a full accounting of flirtation, in reality the book only devotes four pages to "courtship;" at any rate there are many better books specifically geared to that on the market. The book does offer some genuine insight into posturing in business negotiations, though, and I can say that while there are no Earth-shattering revelations presented, the book is worth reading for that set of insights alone.

On balance, I would probably give this book three and a half stars, but I can't give it four because it's just too dated. It is a decent introduction to body language, but I would look at other more recent books first.

This book was one of the first one the scene in term of reading people. Granted, some of the material may seem outdated, but much of it is grounded in good basic pscyhology. If you want something a little more cutting edge, then check out David Lieberman's You Can Read Anyone. Lieberman's book is filled with specific techniques for many different situations, and his stuff is always very practical.

Just this past year, a totally revised edition of this book was published by Square One Publishers as a trade paperback. This new edition features several new line illustrations that show the intricacies of body language. In addition, this new edition of the book benefits greatly from the added input of second co-author Professor Gabriel Grayson - a body language expert and bestselling author of the sign language reference guide TALKING WITH YOUR HANDS, LISTENING WITH YOUR EYES. If you want the best and most up-to-date version of this material, then this is the book you want!!

This is a very good book for beginners on how to understand body language ... but the division of the chapters, and some examples make this book very basic.
very easy and fast to read

Is that guy with the open jacket trustworthy and open-minded? Is the person with locked ankles worried or tense? What about that cute girl stroking her hair- or who just removed her glasses while you were speaking? All these gestures-and more- are examined in "How to Read a Person Like a Book". Mr. Nierenberg's work reminds me of Norman Vincent Peale's "The Power of Positive Thinking". Both are virtually useless if read as novels and put away. But I believe both can be vital if kept and referred back to from time to time. Mr. Nierenberg's main message is to watch other's body language: Do they show their hands or hide them? Do they look you in the eye or look away? Do they keep swallowing or clearing their throat? This is all very interesting and potentially useful. The author issues a caveat: We must be on guard for false or accidental signals. Perhaps the cute girl stroking her hair can't stand the sight of you. The guy clearing his throat may be the honest man in town-with a bad cold. Others (who have also read the book) could be "manipulating the system" and using it against you! A former boss springs to mind. I intend to try using the principles in "How to Read" in real life and watching the results. After all, the reader can use these principles on others! Taken with a grain of salt, what do we have to lose for $5.99? I refer back periodically to Dr. Peale and intend the same with Nierenberg. There is definite potential value here. Life's experience will be the ultimate teacher.

A treasure in the trashbin. I bought this book on the bargain table and am glad I did. Filled with easily digestible chapters describing gesture clusters, illustrated with dozens of drawings to provide visual examples of the topic.

In my line, I need to read people and their responses to my ideas. This book helps me to do just that. It also gives ways of taking charge in a situation by using body gestures. If you know the gestures, you can resist someone else trying to dominate you.
It's worth the price. Everyone who deals with other people needs this book.

This book is a decent introduction to body language. It is basic, and really won't shatter any of your preconceptions of how to read body language.

If you consider yourself to be perceptive, or if you have studied other books on body language, you probably will not find anything earth-shattering or new here, but for a newbie, trying to pick up basics, this is a quick intro.

This is a fascinating book, practical and easy to read. This book is invaluable for anyone who wants to improve their interactions with people. It gave me insight into my own body language when talking to others and I am now able to better interpret others nonverbal messages. This book will give you an advantage in the business world and is a useful tool in staying ahead of the game. I couldn't have picked a better book to learn about body language.

For all of us in a relationship--and who of us isn't in some way--this is a must read.

In a `down-to-earth' manner, including clear illustrations, "How to Read A Person Like A Book" explains how you can interpret verbal and non-verbal, as well as subtle and non-so-subtle communication styles.

Having been in sales and sales training, I'd list this as required reading. Had I discovered "How to Read A Person Like A Book" before now, I would have benefited enormously.

Get this book!

I found this book interesting, extremely informative and easy to read. After reading this book and having a better understanding of nonverbal communication, I feel I am no longer at a disadvantage and have become more confident at work and at social occasions. This book is a useful tool for everyday situations.