Rating: 
Summary: Must Read for Anyone
Review: Through his pristine organization, Dale Carnegie uses his experience and numerous examples to teach the reader to employ methods which seem so obvious but somehow often get overlooked. THere are numerous examples which make the reader strive to implement Carnegie's advice into your life, but he is not repetitive. THere is the ideal amount of repetition and enforcement throughout the book, which is supported by summarozed lists to keep track of the basic principles upon which each chapter is based. Whether is business or social relationships, this book can have a profound effect. It is certainly a must-read.
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Summary: Great Book, One of the Best I Have Ever Read.
Review: It is hard for me to describe this book fairly. I think that how you receive it, will depend on who you are and what you want from life. But, for me, Mr. Carnegie's book was well written, in that the writing style is very easy to read. More importantly, it was well done. Mr. Carengie describes how to get more out of life and, if you listen and practice what he advises here, you will probably have a happier and much more enjoyable life. This is a bold claim, but it it true. I return to this book, again and again, trying to make sure I am doing what this book says or for ideas on how I can do things better. The basic gist of this book is that, if you want to suceed and be happy, you need to think what other people want, not you. By serving others, ultimately, you will be happier and more successful yourself. Thus, if you want to be greedy, be selfless. It sounds like a contradiction, but it often seems true. People will be more willing to help you, after you have helped them. I actually bought a copy of this book for a few people. My sister didn't read it, because the beginning of the book tells you to "take notes". Skip the introduction, if that type of advise distracts you. Read this book, implement its advise, and have a happier and better life. How many other books can make that claim?
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Summary: As I lose my top 500 reviewer rating...
Review: Having noticed that this work is once again popular, I could not resist commenting. Dale Carnegie's work has nothing whatever to do with cultivating genuine friendship. It is based mainly on giving the appearance of being interested in others, solely in order to use them to attain some personal goal. There is some valuable advice (for example, how one gains nothing from contradicting others), but the general tone is completely self-centered. I suppose my many years in purchasing management flavour my assessment here, because the techniques Dale Carnegie recommends still are widely used in sales (though long-term customers are seldom deceived, it is an understood game). This book may be useful to those who have only business gain in mind. However, its total emphasis on furthering one's own interests, and basically insincere approach, rules out any value for those who have true friendship in mind.
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Summary: This Book Will Change Your Life Forever
Review: Dealing with people is probably the biggest problem you face. This is a practical working handbook on human relations. If you have deep, driving desire to have good personal skills then this book is for you; it is an action book. This is the absolute best book written by a human being on how have to have peace of mind and help others to have pleasant life by transforming ourselves into what we want to become. IT WORKS LIKE MAGIC. IF YOU READ THIS BOOK AND PRACTISE at least some of the principles THEN YOUR LIFE WILL BE CHANGED FOREVER, FOR GOOD. This book will help you get out of mental rut, think new thoughts, acquire new vision, discover new ambitions. If you want to learn the most effective way of dealing with complaints, arguments, and keep your human contacts smooth and pleasant then THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. If you want to win people to your way of thinking then THIS IS THE BOOK YOU WANT TO READ. If you want to make new friends quickly and easily, and increase your popularity then THIS IS THE BOOK THAT YOU WANT TO READ AND RE-READ. You will be doing the best thing for yourself, your family, friends and co-workers by reading this book. SATISFACTION GURANTEED.
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Summary: You owe it to yourself
Review: Winners know that they aren't perfect. Winners know that there is always room for improvement. Winners know that they are just as scared as the man they are talking to. And winners know that everybody has to deal with life each day they walk the earth. This book helps you deal with your life and explains to you why you do the things you do. When you know, you can change and adapt. When you change, life changes. People that were rude to you are now just trying to live their lives. Problems that were impossible to solve are now challenges with an unfound solution. It's all a mindset, the way you look at things, but it starts with the way you look at yourself. If you want to change, if you want respect, you first must get it from yourself. Then, and only then, will the world around you change. Because, while the world may not revolve around you, your world is what you make it. I've read many books on change and growth and I've read numerous self-help books, but this book is where it's at. This is the Holy Grail of self-change, and everybody owes it to themselves to at least consider trying the time-tested and proven principles presented in this book.
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Summary: The owners manual that should come with life
Review: TV's come with an owners manual. VCR's come with one. Microwaves come with one. Stereos come with one. When someone is born, they should be given a copy of this book, for when they are old enough to read. It is the owners manual for life. I was told about this book in the summer of 1999 and was a little reluctant to try it, but someone I knew had a spare copy and gave it to me. Here is something for you: I read a LOT of computer books, I don't read intelluctal books. Also, I NEVER read any books cover to cover in a few days, most of mine I read over the period of months. I read this book in THREE (3) days. Cover to cover. It is THAT good. What did discourage me is the copyright date of 1936. He uses a lot of historical people, but when you think about it, no matter what generation it is, whether the 19th, 20th, or 21st century, people are still the same. Technology moves on, but humans are the same. Emotions are the same. Feelings are the same. People still feel the same way today that they did in 1936. Interacting with others hasn't changed in the last century. Only whats around us has. After reading this book, I actually tried it. I KNEW it wasn't going to work, but I thought I would try it for a week. Well, I'll admit I was dead wrong. It ALL worked. All of it. Human nature hasn't changed. Even to this day, a year after reading this book, I still put some of it to the test. An example, I bought an engine that I was told was good. After installation, it was not. Rather than go back to the seller and raise hell, I simply said "I wasn't told accurately, here are the problems, and I just don't think this is right". I said it in a very nice tone. I actually got some of my money back. Had I not read this book, I would have gone back screaming. Even if you don't read it in a few days, skim the chapters. You WILL NOT GO WRONG with this book. It is the BEST book I have ever read. Rock solid advice. It takes some practice to get used to, but it works. It really works. So if you are having some difficulties at work, getting people to listen to you, or just overall want to improve your own life, pick up a copy (or check it out from the library), and read it over. You won't be wasting your time. Forget the power talkers. They are getting paid for it. Dale Carnegie is giving advice for free.
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Summary: Common sense advice
Review: This book proffers "Golden Rule"-type advice that, in the long run, ought to work. The basic theme of the book is that to make friends and influence people, one should not antagonize nor control people. This is undoubtedly a universal truth. A real friend would not do these things. It's easy to see why this advice would come as a revelation to many nowadays. The problem is that our society and its definition of "friend" has changed since this book was written in the late 1930s. Nowadays, being "nice" won't make you too many friends of the type that society currently values, that is, short-term friends. To make friends, being arrogant and controlling is probably more effective in the current social climate but, again, this doesn't work in the long term. Don't be surprised if following the advice in this book won't bring you lots of friends. On the other hand, maybe if everyone read the book, it would! I guess the only real criticism I have is that the advice tends to be a bit redundant, variations on a theme, if you will.
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Summary: Great Book with Timeless Ideas!
Review: This is a Great Book with Timeless Ideas! I expected this to be a book with techniques that were superficial. Instead, I find this to be a book filled with Wisdom and Truth. The ideas are simple but they are deep. Alot of self-help book are filled with techniques that are manipulative, but this book by Dale Carnegie is not manipulative because what he is saying is really to care and to listen to other people. His first principle of how to make people like you is: "Become genuinely interested in other people." Notice he does not say "Act as though you are interested", but to GENUINELY become interested. This is simple but very wise. The book is filled with many more ideas that are both simple and almost common sense, yet are very profound, especially in the fast paced society of today, where few people take the time to become interested in other people or even to slow down enough to listen to other people. (Principle 4: Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.) The author illustrates all his principles with a wealth of stories and practical example. This is a classic! Another book that you will probably like if you like "How to Win Friends" is a book by Ariel and Shya Kane called "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK." This book also talks about what true listening is, and how to be more present in your communications, in your interactions with other people, as well as how to be more centered with yourself. The chapter about "Being Right" versus "Being Alive" is priceless!
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Summary: Just Read It!
Review: I read this when I was 24 and got pissed because I think I should've read it when I was 14! It changed my life and I still feel it's influence on me to this day! Some people may have a hard time relating to the seriously dated examples but if you have an open mind it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out what is being suggested. I highly recommend this book and particularly to those who are very intelligent yet easily distracted by social interaction.
Rating: 
Summary: HELP!!!
Review: I have Carnegie's CD's for this book! I have the CD's for "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living". I've read this book three times. I just can't do it anymore. It's dishonest. Carnegie would tell me that praise IS honest if you just focus your compliment on something true. Like telling a woman that she has beautiful eyes when she is also nasty and mean. Or telling your friend that he has a great sense of humor when he is demonical and selfish. The Tibetan Buddhists state that "Praise Kills". This means that you will create massive "attachments" to people. This may be good in sales or politics. But it is very subtlely manipulative. I know that the person who is reading this is highly intelligent. Otherwise, why would they be reading a review on Amazon.com? And most of the people who read these reviews seem to have great insight into human nature. And I feel bad about criticizing this book. And thank you so much for what the people who read these reviews have done. You guys are just incredible! I even get wonderful e-mails! HA! Madam or Sir, that is Dale Carnegie. And it is lying. If not lying, than deceitful. 1. I don't know you. 2. I don't know if you are wonderful or highly intelligent. 3. I don't know if you have incredible "insight". 4. I do get wonderful e-mails. AND some not so wonderful e-mails. Let's just stop the criticism and flow with the kindness. You don't want to end up a "used car dealer". Or do you?
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