52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
When read thoughtfully and from beginning to end, excellent., January 1, 1999
By A Customer
I find it interesting that reviewers either loved this book or hated it. I think when read in its entirety, and not as a cookbook to human behavior, it is most helpful and thoughtful. I took from this book the importance of not stereotyping or jumping to conclusions about people. Rather, the authors convincingly state reasons for looking for patterns, observing what people do and say, truly listening to others and projecting to others what you really mean to project. I think the disappointed reviewers who made comments here were looking for ways to make snap judgments and fulfilled their own negative expectations. I was looking for insight and ways to avoid making snap judgments and I found them. Thank you to the authors. I'd love to attend a seminar by these people.
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44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing, January 20, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Reading People: How to Understand People and Predict Their Behavior- -Anytime, Anyplace (Paperback)
To quote the author, you can't judge a book by its cover.
In the airport bookstore, this book looked very promising. The author's specialty is picking jurors, often in high profile criminal cases. The cover promises the book will tell us "how to understand people and predict their behavior." It seems plausible that such an author would have some useful information to impart to those of us who would like to do a better job of understanding the people around us.
The book, however, has a couple of shortcomings:
First, most of the "people-reading" tips are pretty obvious. For example, the author tells us that if a person prominently displays alcohol in their house, there is a good chance they like to drink. Or that people who brag a lot are probably insecure and self-centered. For this I paid $15!
Second, the book lacks focus. Part of the book tells how people's dress, mannerisms, actions and so forth give clues to their character -- and in fairness, some of the author's thoughts in this regard are interesting. But then the book wanders off into the self-help genre, telling us how to use our new-found people reading skills to improve relationships. I suppose this sort of material sells, but it has little to do with the central premise of the book.
In short, my advice is to save yourself some money and pass on this one.
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45 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable, easy read for the open-minded, January 17, 2001
This review is from: Reading People: How to Understand People and Predict Their Behavior- -Anytime, Anyplace (Paperback)
I read the book before I read the reviews online, and I must say that I'm quite shocked that there are people who didn't appreciate Jo-Ellan's book for what it had to offer. There are a few major complaints against the book, and I will address them as I recall them.
First, people say that the book reinforces stereotypes. Well, with a title like _Reading People_, I'm not sure how one can pretend that this is such a surprise. The whole point of the book is to categorize and identify different types of people in hopes of "reading" them, so the subject lends itself to stereotypical thinking. That said, there are NUMEROUS occasions on which Jo-Ellan points out that forming permanent impressions based on snap judgements obstructs your ability to accurately understand someone. Flexible and open judgement is best when it comes to predicting behavior. (And it wouldn't hurt when it comes to reviewing books online either!)
Second, people say that the book is filled with common sense. I could say this of several best-sellers in the same genre, and it wouldn't mean that the information contained within them is worthless. The world moves so quickly these days that it's hard to sit down and take stock of what is supposed to be obvious. Jo-Ellan includes the common sensical possibilities because, simply, the obvious can -- or does not have to be -- the case. For example, a man might keep his hair close cut because he is conservative, because he is forced to by a dress code at work, because he is in the armed forces, because the cut is flattering, or perhaps for some other less overt reason. It is important to list as many possibilities as possible, again, to keep an open mind, and those possibilities always include the obvious.
Third, there is talk that Jo-Ellan only accounts for American personalities. Most of her audience is American and would find that her focus on us is appropriate and useful. (Note: being a trial lawyer, she IS likely to talk about her area of expertise. Her references to trials are not at all complicated and are easily applicable to several "real-life" situations. Also, I don't think her choice of a career has much to do with the quality of this book, no matter HOW disgusting one thinks being a lawyer is.) If you are truly interested in knowing how folks in other countries think, feel, and behave, then take Jo-Ellan's advice: travel to the countries of interest, observe, and keep a database of information. Take note of common behaviors associated with telltale signals, but keep that mind ajar.
I found that the best thing Jo-Ellan's book has done for me is to increase my awareness and interest in people. Of course her book doesn't have "all the answers", but it certainly puts things in perspective. I find myself increasingly more attuned to other people's behavior, which has helped me understand their personalities.
I deny the book a five star rating because it isn't phenomenal. It is a fun eye-opener for people who aren't looking to know every detail about every person they will ever meet. Glean from it what you will. Approach the book knowing that it is not the definitive resource and that it will sometimes include what you think you already know, and you'll be pleased with the results.
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