Messages: The Communication Skills Book [Paperback]

Matthew McKay PhD (Author), Martha Davis Ph.D. (Author), Patrick Fanning (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1572245921 | ISBN-13: 978-1572245921 | Publication Date: March 3, 2009 | Edition: Third Edition

Many people assume that good communicators possess an intrinsic talent for speaking and listening to others, a gift that can't be learned or improved. The reality is that communication skills are developed with deliberate effort and practice, and learning to understand others and communicate your ideas more clearly will improve every facet of your life.

Now in its third edition, Messages has helped thousands of readers cultivate better relationships with friends, family members, coworkers, and partners. You'll discover new skills to help you communicate your ideas more effectively and become a better listener. Learn how to:

• Read body language
• Develop skills for couples communication
• Negotiate and resolve conflicts
• Communicate with family members
• Handle group interactions
• Talk to children
• Master public speaking
• Prepare for job interviews

Messages is a comprehensive handbook in a most important human skill-personal communication. Reading it made me feel like an enthusiastic partner in an achievable learning endeavor.
-Virginia Satir, author of Peoplemaking and The New Peoplemaking

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the Publisher

The classic, best-selling communication skills book, Messages, helps readers build their communication skills in all areas of life. This guide helps readers become adept in active listening, reading body language, identifying communication styles, conflict resolution, public speaking, and more.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; Third Edition edition (March 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572245921
• ISBN-13: 978-1572245921
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Matthew McKay, Ph.D., is a psychologist and author of numerous books including When Anger Hurts, The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, Thoughts and Feelings, Messages, and Self-Esteem. He lives in Berkeley, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Bk on Topic; THE MESSAGES WORKBOOK IS A VALUABLE COMPANION, July 23, 2009

By 

Marshall Glickman "Author of Beyond the Breat... (Vermont, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Messages: The Communication Skills Book (Paperback)

It's easy to miss the full importance of communicating well, but it's the lifeblood of relationships and thus you could ultimately say it's crucial to our happiness. This book makes clear the value of communicating well, but more importantly, shows you how to improve your communication skills. Given that's what most of us care about most [theory is nice, but putting it into to practice is what really counts], I also suggest reading The Messages Workbook. The Messages Workbook gives you the exercises to take your communication and therefore relationships to the next level.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing! No Table of Contents on Kindle., June 5, 2011

By 

B. Eddie - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Messages: The Communication Skills Book (Kindle Edition)

The content is excellent. The Kindle version does not have the essential Table of Contents or Index. Making the Kindle version difficult to use as a reference guide.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its like a hand book!, June 8, 2011

By 

hershey (Bethlehem, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Messages: The Communication Skills Book (Paperback)

If you're like me, you'll often think to yourself- "Did I say it right?" or "Could I have said it better?" or "Was there a better way to put it"

This book is organized very well, under sections listed "Basic Skills", "Conflict Skills", "Social Skills", "Family Skills", and "Public Skills". So, it gets very easy to refer to the particular type of communication reference you are interested in. I love the way the book puts forward the theory without attaching any favoritism to which technique to use at what time. For example- I used to live in denial when it comes to "listening". I always thought I`m a good listener. But, after reading the 1st chapter- I realized I use at least 5 blocks to listening - without being caught in defense arguments with myself about it. The book really communicates with you! Its easy to read & is filled with research. It lists very good examples of contaminated communication & suggestions on what could have improved it. They have a chapter on body language as well that's well written.

I haven't read the entire book- I may have covered about 70% of the reading. Most often, I use it as a reference to come back to. If you have been looking for reviews on this book, I suggest that you stop looking! Get it- you cannot go wrong. After all, communication is what you do almost all of the active time even though you don't realize it.