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How to Win Friends and Influence People

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Who Would Like This Book:

This is the ultimate people skills classic! Packed with down-to-earth advice and memorable stories, Carnegie's book distills old-school wisdom into super-practical tips for connecting with just about anyone. You'll learn how to make people feel valued, communicate effectively, and navigate tricky situations with grace. If you're looking to improve your relationships - at work, at home, or in social circles - or just want to be a kinder, more thoughtful communicator, this is a must-read.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some folks find Carnegie's approach a bit repetitive or even manipulative, especially if they're looking for more in-depth psychology or dislike anything that feels formulaic. The style and examples can feel dated, and the book spends a lot of time on anecdotes that some readers think oversell how quickly things can change. If you're after cutting-edge research, lots of nuance, or want something less focused on winning people over, this might not be your cup of tea.

Timeless, simple, and genuinely useful - this book is popular for a reason. Maybe a little old-fashioned and occasionally cheesy, but its lessons on empathy and communication never go out of style.

About:

'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide on building relationships and improving interpersonal skills. Through a series of anecdotes and practical examples, the author illustrates the importance of treating others with kindness and understanding. The writing style is straightforward and insightful, offering valuable advice on communication, leadership, and human psychology. Despite being published in the 1930s, the book remains relevant in today's fast-paced digital world, emphasizing the significance of genuine connection and empathy in all interactions.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is straightforward and engaging, utilizing personal stories to effectively convey its principles.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around actionable strategies for enhancing relationships and social interactions, utilizing real-life examples for clarity and engagement.

Setting:

Originally set in the early 1900s, the book's advice transcends specific settings to address universal human interactions.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and digestible, with focused chapters that facilitate understanding and retention.
On May 7, 1931, the most sensational manhunt New York City had ever known had come to its climax. After weeks of search, “Two Gun” Crowley—the killer, the gunman who didn’t smoke or drink—was at bay, ...

Notes:

How to Win Friends and Influence People was published in 1936 and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
The book emphasizes that financial success is 15% professional knowledge and 85% people skills.
Dale Carnegie originally taught public speaking classes before turning his lectures into this book.
The principles in the book are based on common sense but are often overlooked in daily interactions.
Carnegie's advice is heavily illustrated with anecdotes from notable figures in history, including Abraham Lincoln.
Key principles include not criticizing others, giving sincere appreciation, and focusing on others' interests.
The book is structured into four parts, focusing on techniques in handling people, ways to make people like you, and how to lead without causing resentment.
Many readers find the advice timeless and applicable even in today's digital age despite the book's age.
One of the major takeaways is the importance of seeing things from the other person's point of view.
The techniques advocated in the book are said to help improve relationships both personally and professionally.

From The Publisher:

You can go after the job you want-and get it!

You can take the job you have-and improve it!

You can take any situation-and make it work for you!

Dale Carnegie's rock-solid, time-tested advice has carried countless people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives. One of the most groundbreaking and timeless bestsellers of all time, How to Win Friends & Influence People will teach you:

-Six ways to make people like you

-Twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking

-Nine ways to change people without arousing resentment

And much more! Achieve your maximum potential-a must-read for the twenty-first century with more than 15 million copies sold!

1913
315 pages

Ratings (99)

Incredible (19)
Loved It (42)
Liked It (10)
It Was OK (21)
Did Not Like (5)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (251):

Read It (110)
Currently Reading (9)
Want To Read (89)
Did Not Finish (6)
Not Interested (37)

7 comment(s)

It Was OK
1 month

Despite being originally written in 1936 with sometimes outdated language/anecdotes (and oh - are there a lot of peppy anecdotes!), the main concepts can still be applied today. I agree with other reviewers that satisfying relationships do require some level of self-expression and are not always focused on solely stroking the egos of others, but I think applying even a few of his principles to daily interactions would make the world a more pleasant place :)

 
Incredible
9 months

Changed my life for the better, made me make SO many friends even too many haha

 
It Was OK
1 year

This might be helpful for people who are having trouble getting along with their coworkers

 
Incredible
1 year

Excellent read

 
1 year

This book should have been a lot shorter. Each chapter talks about one of the rules or techniques, but most of the chapter is anectodal stories about how the author used said rule.

In short, just understanding the rules or techinques, you get the most ouf of this book.

 
Loved It
1 year

A bit dated but a good book

 
Loved It
1 year

Great for overthinking types who forget how easy it used to be to make friends as a child.

 

About the Author:

Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) described himself as a "simple country boy" from Missouri but was also a pioneer of the self-improvement genre. Since the 1936 publication of his first book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, he has touched millions of readers and his classic works continue to impact lives to this day.

 
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