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Rating: 
Summary: Good supplement to other books on the subject
Review: I was a little surprised at how small this book was, but it had some good information and helped fill out the information that I got from Conversationally Speaking by Alan Garner (EXCELLENT!!) and the audiotapes The Fine Art of Small Talk by Deborah Fine (VERY, VERY GOOD!).
Rating: 
Summary: Simple Focused Booklet That Should Work
Review: I write as a natural talker (but, as a minister, I try to help others who are weak here, hence my research) who has no trouble with small talk, and Carducci's booklet is indeed a summary of how we talkers do indeed initiate small talk.Keep this in mind: this booklet(and it is small,about 77 half pages)zeros in on small talk, not the details of indepth conversation, developing friendship, or overcoming shyness. Carducci provides sample conversations to show how not to do it, and then offers the positive alternative approach.The author outlines key concepts and so that you can get a handle on them. He could emphasize body language more than he does, yet he does touch on it. So if you are wanting to improve your small talking skills, this is a quick summary of how to do just that.
Rating:
Summary: Very Helpfull
Review: The book is good and helpfull, but it's not going to make you Mr. Popularity. You have to make yourself that on your own. Which isn't to say that it's not worth getting. If you need help with learning how to talk to people then it's a good buy. It teaches you what you're doing wrong and how to fix it, and though it will make you feel better about yourself and make you feel more confident, it won't take away any sort of anxiety you have when speaking to someone you don't know. If you apply what the good Dr. says though, in time things like feeling foolish around people will start to get less and less. A little pricey for a book that you could finish in an hour and a half, but filled with enough advice to make it a sound buy.
Rating: 
Summary: this book didn't help much
Review: This book depressed me more than helped me. I really didn't tell me anything I don't already know. First of all, the first half of the book says how small talk is easy and effortless if you don't think about it too much. Then second half of the book tells you all the things you should remember when making small talk. This is a big contradiction. Second, the examples are way too far from real life. In the "first date" example, the couple talk about more interesting stuff in 2 minutes than I've done in the last 2 years. Quite frankly, it would be easy to make small talk if I had that much to say. Lastly, this book didn't tell me anything I don't already know. All it says is to ask questions and be interested in the person you are talking to. If I wasn't interested in the person, I wouldn't be trying to talk to them. This book may help some people, but it was a waste of time for me.
Rating:
Summary: Rediscovering Ourselves
Review: This book has been successful in convincing me, a self-proclaimed shyster, that I can actually talk in front of a group of people and come out being remembered in a positive light. This book took me through a step-by-step journey teaching me and changing my conventional, introvert attitude about myself of being less than the neighbourhood extrovert who seems to be able to just about talk to anyone,anytime and create a favourable impression. We dont need to be born-orators, it just takes a bit of practice and good advice on how to speak well in a crowd or even in a one-to-one situation. The good advice and tips are all there in this marvellous book. I will recommend it to anyone who has an urge to communicate effectively without worrying about 'what others will think'. I am benefitting from what the book taught me, and in the process, I have rediscovered and surprised myself.Need I pat myself or will you?
Rating:
Summary: five stars doesn't do this book justice
Review: This consice book has been simply paramount in regards to my personal life. As someone who has been progressing through my shyness steadily this book was key in the area of small talk. Carducci elucidates the different aspects of small talk wonderfully. He provides sample conversations which have gone wrong and shows you ways you could improve in any given situation. In his preface he says the following ' In The Pocket Guide, i will explain the purpose of small talk, discuss small talk apprehension, and elaborate on the role your body, mind, and emotions can play in hindering your efforts to make successful small talk...i will provide you with a variety of easy-to-use , practical tips on how to make successful small talk with anyone anytime anywhere about anything.' He definately came through on this. Enough said - buy this book now!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This fabulous guide helps you do exactly what it says on the cover. Initially I had mixed success following Carducci's tips - he advises the reader to "talk about subjects which interest you" yet I always felt that I was encountering a brick wall when I brought up my trophy-mounted roadkill collection. Then again, we are a nation of dog-lovers. However, I have really come into my own now I realise that by continually reminding the person I am talking to of how utterly inconsequential and boring my conversation is I can disguise myself as an ironic wit.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This fabulous guide helps you do exactly what it says on the cover. Initially I had mixed success following Carducci's tips - he advises the reader to "talk about subjects which interest you" yet I always felt that I was encountering a brick wall when I brought up my trophy-mounted roadkill collection. Then again, we are a nation of dog-lovers. However, I have really come into my own now I realise that by continually reminding the person I am talking to of how utterly inconsequential and boring my conversation is I can disguise myself as an ironic wit.
Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: when i received this book i almost wanted to return it because i never expected the book to be this small. i thought it was a rip off for $10. how wrong i was. i read it through in an hour but the information was more than i could of got from 400 pages. this is definately a quanlity than quantity book.
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