Customer Reviews

How to Win an Argument: Surefire Strategies for Getting Your Point Across

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you find yourself constantly arguing about anything and everything, and you find that you always come up empty, then this is a book for you. Easy to follow and helpful hints that can help even the novice turn professional

This book is very basic. But it has great ideas that are needed for any kind of arguement. Even a novice can put use of these skills very effectively. This book is good for practical purpose, and if you get lost while arguing this is a must read book. Personally I learned a lot of things from this book. It is also very organised and you will go through the whole book without feeling clobbered in your head. There are people out there who will change the subject when you are talking about some issues, and if you are not aware of it you feel that you had lost the Argument. This is a basic trap you get into while arguing. The author explains exactly what to look for while arguing. It is a good book.

SUMMARY:

- Informal, yet objective

- More useful from a perespective of executive decision making

- Less structured for GMAT aspirants (though may be a good introduction)

- A 'nice brief book' (around 200 pages)

DESCRIPTION:

This is the first book I am reading on argument/critical thinking and have completed about 80% of the book.

The book is an excellent intro to the subject. I liked the relatively short chapters and the crispness of each topic/theme. The author has managed to objectively introduce key concepts without resorting to heavy-duty theories in reasoning and critical thinking.

One caveat: This presentation is relatively informal - I like it this way. But each idea/chapter has been presented in a deceptively simple fashion. It will help to highlight, reread and discuss with another person to really imbibe the ideas.

I am a person who leans towards picture/sketches and examples; I would give this book a five-star if thus updated.

ravijag@yahoo.com.

This is a book that you can read through in a day, but most likely, you will go back and read it again and again as I have.

Very simple and to the point, it initially explains what an argument really is and puts the topic into perspective. With questions like "what are we arguing about?" and "why argue" answered and by identifying different types of arguments, the reader is equipped with a plan to avoid falling into dead-end arguments and getting sucked into agreement which he may later regret. It is truly a helpful guide in polishing your negotiating skills whether for buying a car or negotiating with your spouse.

I have used the techniques described within and was surprised with how simple but effective theese techniqes really are. Great book!

This is an excellent book on argumentation. It covers the basics, and for that some will inevitably criticize it, but how often do we find people who know all of the basics of a subject? The book covers interesting concepts like the subject change (non-sequitur) and the various fallacies used in arguments. It helped me to understand the concepts of "begging the question" and "false cause." The book provides good guidelines on conducting an argument, and provides hypothetical arguments to allow the reader to analyze them, so as to better grasp the concepts. The book is short and to the point, which is an advantage. It is an excellent intro to argumentation.

This is an excellent book concerning not only arguing but understanding your own thinking as well. The arguing Gilbert talks about here isn't the throwing pots and pans type but the more genteel kind of convincing someone of the validity of your point. I like the book in that he offers several strategies for understanding what another person is saying and lists a dozen or so kinds of falacious arguments that are common. (I think my kids have pulled each one off on me...) He closes the book with several illustrative and annotated dramatized 'arguments' showing the skills in action. A good book. You'll never feel the same after watching the news...

Great book. Closest to Thousless' 'Straight and Crooked Thinking' I have found. Clear, practical, usefull, good examples and educational. I have three paperback copies like the one with the red/blue/yellow jacket (best paperback version), the latest paperback version, a hardback version of the best paperback version and the ebook version.
I was overjoyed to find it available for kindle!
Worth reading every six months or so.

In case you are wondering why so many copies, about 15 years ago I lent my latest copt of the Thouless work to a friend who lost it!! Now I only have the 1930's hardback! Great books should have back-up copies bought.

Good book for sophists! Doesn't matter what the subject is, or what is right and wrong, only the skill of debate is what wins. Sadly, this is what is popular today with the take over of the radical Neo-conservatives.

This book is a way to leave the argument itself and look at it from the outside. After analyzing it and recognizing objective patterns; as in circular reasoning; labeling; begging the questions with conclusions without details; or in using multiple principles; loosing the main topic; changing direction; basing reasons on the conclusion with circular reasoning; or using popularity as a reason.

In viewing your argument from the outside while maintaining subjectivity from within, is the best place to present your reasons. It's not necessarily going to change each person's side of the argument, but its going to clarify the reasons to the higher paradigms of each thinker, this to the point he or she is at. And from there each one can bring home their deeper reasons, bogus or valid.

Awesome book. Easy to read, very helpful.