Instant Persuasion

Rating:
Summary: I was surprised by how good this is
Review: I didn't think anything else could be written about persuasion and influence, so you can imagine how skeptical I was when I picked up "Instant Persuasion" by Laurie Puhn, a lawyer in New York City. Boy, was I wrong. I opened it to the chapter called "Rule 10: Beware of Uncomplimentary Compliments." These are compliments that most of us say without thinking. For example, "Your face looks thin with that new hairdo" isn't a compliment. It's an insult. It's saying, "You have a fat face."
There are 35 eye-opening rules in this engaging, highly readable, enjoyable, and educational book. It's mademe more aware of how I (and others) communicate. I strongly suggest you get this one.

Rating:
Summary: Very useful for both personal and professional relationships
Review: Puhn offers well thought-out advice on how to be a successful communicator, a persuasive arguer, and a kinder person. She uses a simple prose style to describe complex situations and offer solutions to everyday conflicts. As a high school English teacher, I would consider using this book for both communication skillbuilding and character education purposes. As an individual, I believe Puhn's recommendations would certainly improve my daily personal and professional relationships.

Rating:
Summary: The Rules Work!
Review: This book is quite different from all others. It actually gives you the solutions. It tells you exactly what not to say (the communication blunders) and what you should say instead (the communication wonders) to win people over and get what you want. The stories in the book are very entertaining. It's fun to use the rules and see the immediate results. If you try them, you will see what I mean.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book
Review: This book was fantastic. My wife forced me to read it at first, but after the first chapter I couldn't put it down. The examples are crystal clear and the ideas are simple but powerful. Seems like half the chapters were specifically written with me or my wife in mind, which is embarrassing but I'm sure others will feel that way.

Highly recommend it to others as a way to immediately improve your ability to influence others and build your confidence in social settings. If its good enough for Alan Dershowitz, its good enough for me!