Ronald B. Adler

I happened upon this text book while on vacation last week- what an interesting book! For an academic textbook, it reads more like an enjoyable, informal informational guide about how to communicate, how different cultures interpret body language- plus it has exercises to assess communication skills, Dilbert cartoons (how can you go wrong w/Dilbert?) and a host of interesting charts and anecdotes. I think this would be a good reference for anybody, but would serve as a great book for couples, for businessmen and women, for anybody traveling to different countries. I didn't read the enire book (can't accomplish that while sitting in a used and out of print bookstore!) but I think I'll buy it. My husband 'chided' me for not buying it once I told him about it :0)… (mere)

This is a textbook that does not read like a textbook, which is the best thing anyone could ever say about a textbook.

The writing is entertaining and really well done. The chapters are broken up into sections that follow a pattern so you know what to expect from each one. They are also peppered with examples, stories, cartoons, quizzes, and other fun interludes so that there aren't large amounts of dense, boring text intimidating and boring you.

I really learned so much and it forced me to examine my own ways of communicating and the methods by which I can improve them, as well as recognize and stop poor behaviors before they start to cause a problem.

This textbook is so enjoyable that, instead of trading it back in at the end of the semester for money, I felt it valuable enough to keep as a reference, so I can read it every once in a while to refresh my memory on the areas of communication I still need to work on.… (mere)