Rating: 
Summary: I wish read this book 20 years ago.
Review: Very good book to read. I wish did read it at age 12. Already tried some tools, works very well. I will read it again. First half is great. Some chapters are very short and not enough information. That's why I give it four star.
Rating: 
Summary: Insincere appreciation or sincere manipulation?
Review: This book could easily be re-titled "How to Manipulate People and Act Phony," or perhaps, "The True Selfishness of the Human Ego and How to Harness to it for Your Own Personal Gain." I first found this book when I was 19 and thought, "Wow, I'll read this book and finally everyone will recognize me as the good-hearted person I am." The "Gandhian" in me still thought so naïve an objective was possible. This book was written in 1930s vernacular for a more wide-eyed and trusting America, complete with plenty Norman Rockwellesque "good golly gee" anecdotes where everything works out happily in the end. At times such a writing style can be endearing, in some places, particularly in the chapter where the author uses the resolution of a labor strike as illustration of the effectiveness of his principles, it can verge on offensive. It is somewhat amazing that this book has not been re-written completely because, despite the resent "revision," the style and format remains quite dated and stale. If not for the CD recordings I would have never made it through, as the inflection and dramatization of the narrator brings it a bit more to life. I also bought and read an old participant handbook from the Carnegie seminar as well as the biography, "Dale Carnegie: The Man Who Influenced Millions." This helped to put this book in the appropriate historical and social context. Though Mr. Carnegie quotes from many people in this book, including the Buddha, and the revised edition even includes a few reflections on the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr., there really is nothing "transcendent" to be found, and such quotations are often taken garishly out of context. This is not a book about how to deepen relationships or how to broaden our worldview, nor does it teach us how to become genuinely compassionate and remove our prejudices, nor does it aim us in the direction of any kind of true self-realization. Least of all is this a book about putting an end to the futility of looking for happiness outside oneself. This book is about sales. In fact, this book was primarily developed as a text for Mr. Carnegie's class on salesmanship. At the point in American history in which this book was written, there was great need for training and educating in business management. Dale Carnegie stepped into that role and has remained the archetype of corporate (i.e., insincere) niceness ever since. All those clerks, phone solicitors, even used car salesmen, you can thank Mr. Carnegie for having taught them everything they know about hooking the customer by pretending to care. I would not, therefore, suggest anyone use any of these techniques on those they truly love because, like I said, this is a book about manipulation. The unfortunate thing about this book is that it works. This manipulation is so effective and so brilliantly obvious that it is amazing people still "fall" for it after more than 50 years in print. Perhaps the most manipulative bits of advice, also being the most painfully truthful, are: to every person the most beautiful word in any language is their own name; the greatest desire of all people is to feel important; never forget that everyone you meet considers themselves your superior in some way; a person's headache means more to them than the death of a million people in an African famine; when dealing with people we are not dealing with animals of reason, but beings swayed by emotion, bigotry, prejudice, and vanity. The Gandhian in me sees that all of the above-described, obviously selfish, traits are actually the cause of great loneliness and sorrow in this world, and is therefore frustrated that rather than teaching us to overcome these traits Mr. Carnegie simply teaches us how to harness them and use them for our own personal gain. Are we to believe the key to fulfillment is to manipulate others' feelings of lack of fulfillment? The result is simply a reinforcement of selfishness in others and oneself, and perhaps the resulting loneliness, frustration, and isolation. Mr. Carnegie claims that this is not the case and that this book is teaching compassion and seeing things from the other person's perspective, but even I am not that naïve anymore. And that is my main problem with this book: the terribly shallow definition it implies for the word "friend." Is a friend someone you manipulate for the sake for making the sale? Or is a friend someone you can be honest with, even if that honesty means revealing how selfish us human beings can be? I am grateful to Dale Carnegie for helping me realize just how selfish and egotistical people often are (myself included), but I am frustrated with him for implying that manipulating that selfishness is what constitutes a friendship. I refuse to fool myself as to the true nature of this book. I use these techniques consciously when I feel I am at the mercy of people who do not care about me and would rather have me out of their face as soon as possible. But this is not friendship; this is desperation. If I were to fool myself and internalize these techniques and convince myself that this was friendship, I wouldn't know how to have a real honest and loving relationship with anyone - I would live the life of the plastic smile you see on employees in department stores and fast food chains. I use these techniques to influence people when I have to, but I wouldn't want to be friends with anyone who would fall for it.
Rating:
Summary: Wish my friends would read this book.
Review: This is a good book for people who are not socially graceful and show favoritism over one friend to another.
Rating: 
Summary: One of my all time favorites
Review: I have read this book over and over again quite a few times and everytime I read it a learn something new. It is a true must read! Reading this book initially was an eye opening experience. I was socializing with people exactly the opposite of how Dale suggests to. I followed the books suggestions by highlighting key points in the book, this has proved helpful as I review these highlighted notes at least once a month. This is why I suggest you purchase this book instead of borrowing it from the library and reading it once. I have been following the techniques described in the book for about a year now, and it has worked for me tremendously, especially at work socializing with co-workers. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their communcation with people.
Rating:
Summary: Warning: This book may change your life
Review: Take two handfuls of dazzling writing, then mix it with pure brilliance and you have one of the greatest books of all phases. This book stood and will continue to stand the test of time. This is chiefly because of the universal thoughts expressed by Carnegie. All readers will be able to relate to it, no matter how their popularity rates. No wonder it went on to sell over fifteen million copies in a space of sixty odd years. There have been countless editions of this book and particularly, the Harper Collins Business Classic edition, is the most prominent. The primary reason why I admire Carnegie's writing is because he always, always backs up his ideas with examples and past accomplishments based on the same specific thoughts. This makes it easier for the reader to understand the principles which are conveyed. True, the book could have been shortened to half its size, but what good would that have done? Carnegie has laced his incredible thoughts with quotes from well-known individuals and this assists to make the book far more interesting than others in its self-help category. I can't begin to tell you how many connections Carnegie had in his existence. It's interesting to note that the author wasn't a pure success in his early days. He explains that his family were at the bottom of the economical scale and it took him years to discover what he so eloquently writes about. In fact, it took him around fifteen years to write, "How to Win Friends and Influence People." In that time he interviewed hundreds of successful people and accumulated knowledge of their sensational victories. A reader tends to gain more from self-help books knowing that the author wasn't always a genuine success and that he essentially had to work his way up the ladder of achievement. It conveys the message that accomplishments can be carried out by almost anyone and at anytime of their lives. Some people attempt to read the book thinking that it will be an easy journey, so it's imperative to note that a person cannot change without persistence and diligence. Carnegie mentions early on that to get the most out of his words, you will need to have a "deep desire" to learn. Everything we do in our existence goes hand in hand with how much passion we have. This book will not change your life, unless, you willingly make it change your life. The principles he outlines are difficult to carry out in reality. But with practice and continued determination, it will almost inevitably help you on your odyssey. Common sense? Well, maybe. But most people don't realise the true meaning of courtesy and lack essential people skills.
Rating:
Summary: The First Meaningful Book I've Ever Read
Review: Firstly, I have to say, I believe not a lot of people have not heard or read this book. This is such a timeless useful book that anyone who wish to live a full life should at least read it. It is up to you whether you want to use the suggestions or not. Like the road to mastery, to effiently adopt all those ways and means that the Carnegie teaches would take a long time. For those occassion I employ them, they worked wonders! Still, I do not this is for everyone, because it involves fundamentally change your beliefs and behaviors. However, if you want to incorporate some of the ideas into your ways in dealing with people, you will have pleasant surprises.
Rating:
Summary: An objective review
Review: I have just read the book and many of the amazon reviews of it and I must say that it is most certainly one of the most powerful books ever written. It can, and has, changed the lives and the social habits of many people out there. Read all of the below reviews and you can see testament to that. Most love it and the few that don't, absolutely hate it. Why is this the case? Here is, in my opinion, my review of the reviews. I don't think anyone, whether they hated it or not, will say that this book is a weak and trivial book. By the sheer magnitude of the effect it has had on people and lives, it is most certainly something to contend with. And let me tell you, if I may, this book has certainly made an immeasurable splash on how I understand human nature. In any case, those who vehemently hate the book seem to hate it, not because it is impotent, but because it is SO POTENT. In other words, they seem to write that they must stand on principles of truth and attack a book that can be used for evil purposes. And, indeed, a truly evil person can indeed use this book for such ends. And I wouldn't doubt if some cult leaders have read this book as primers. But the fact is that the book is not evil. Giving immense power to human begins (like nuclear power) is not inherently evil so you cannot denounce a book like this for spreading evil. It is simply a vehicle of power. So it's really up to who the reader is. I believe that although a lot of harm can possibly come from use of these principles, I also believe that a greater amount of human good can come through these principles. Because utlimately, what Dale Carnegie is preaching is a way for people to have peace with one another. And more and more, peace is becoming an important thing to all people. And I must say that it even if it can be used for evil, the tone and content of Mr. Carnegie's writing constantly seems to say this: Understand one another, put down your arms first if you want the other to put down theirs, understand first if you want to be understood, trust one another, and love one another's frailties. And he says that these are the keys to winning people's heart's and minds. Is winning people's heart's and minds wrong if your ultimate purpose is to seek peaceful understanding? That is, afterall, what Ghandhi preached. And while he was alive, it worked. I personally think if world leaders read this book, we would have greater global peace. So if you are a person of integrity who seeks truth and goodness and betterment, read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Enhance Your Life
Review: I've recommended this book to anyone who's expressed an interest in getting more out of life or just communicating better with others. It is indeed a classic, and as such, is timeless. Since I've incorporated it's teachings in my life, I often hear people comment on my ability to convince others to my way of thinking. If you read this book, you'll learn the skill of finding the win-win in every situation.
Rating:
Summary: Win more friends...and have a better life.
Review: Rumor has it that this book is the second best-selling book of all-time, second only to the bible. I don't know if that's true or not, but if you want to have a better marriage, better friendship and better cooperation from your family, coworkers or boss then this book is for you. If you want to win their friendship, admiration and love, this book is for you. If you want to develop that Hollywood charm, glib and charisma than this book is definetly for you. In short: it's for real people. Think about it for a moment, you deal with people everyday! Why not make the most out of each relationship? As Zig Ziglar says: " How well you enjoy life, depends on how well your relationships are". I sometimes hear the complaint, that this book tells you nothing about how to nurture relationships and keep friends, and in a sense I guess that's true. This book helps to get your foot in the door and get inside!, but where you go from there is up to you. I believe that besides developing yourself, you can also make your life happier by improving on your relationships. Here's a good place to start.
Rating:
Summary: A must for sincere understanding of others
Review: Knowing how to communicate with others is essential for anyone. I did not have this knowledge until I read this book. I realized where I was doing things wrong and how I can improve. Now I have closer friends than before because they know that I am sincere in what I do and say. There are many great things taught in this book. Don't let the title fool you, this is not a self-help book. It's something everyone should read if they ever interact with people in any way. Five stars for Dale Carnegie!
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