Communications guru Suzette Haden Elgin bridges the gender gap. In this groundbreaking book, the internationally acclaimed author of The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense helps you anticipate and avoid the frustrating conversational knots in which men and women all too often find themselves entangled. Picking up where other authors leave off, Suzette Haden Elgin arms you with her proven techniques for dealing effectively with verbal confrontation in your personal and professional lives. She zeroes in on how to: * Identify the differences between women's and men's perceptions of the world and avoid the dangerous semantic traps they create * Distinguish between innocent and willful misunderstandings--and what to do about them * Read body language and use it as a powerful communications tool * Recognize and put an end to the treacherous verbal games people play Strikingly true-to-life dialogues and scenarios illustrate each point, covering nearly every argument and misunderstanding you've ever had with somebody of the opposite sex. Empowered with Elgin's proven techniques for dealing with these situations, you'll be prepared to take full control of any verbal confrontation with your co-workers, friends, and family.