Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat ahead of its time
Review: I wrote this review some two years ago, perhaps a little more. Since then, it has attracted the unbelievable number of soi-disant negative or unhelpful votes of 152 (June 2004). I suppose it is the work of one person, as one scarcely imagines there are so many people out there who would care enough about this particular work (or about this particular writer - me). Nevertheless it is a fascinating statistic and it adds a little more colour to our understanding of a world which is already malfunctioning in numerous other ways. Here's the original review:
I guess if Dale Carnegie was writing today, he would be quite a star author, since the subject which he helped to develop has become one of the most popular of all those to be found on bookshop shelves. How surprising is it then, to consider that Carnegie had such tremendous success in an epoch where a great many people would have had difficulty just coming to terms with his ideas, let alone embracing them. It seems simplistic to say that most of Carnegie's text is just plain common sense: it certainly is that. His prose is also delivered in an unequivocal fashion, but with humour. He knows what he's talking about, and he knows probably, that you or me or the next guy is going to be sceptical anyway. So he just tells it like he sees it and hopes the reader will catch the vision. Since he really hasn't got a hobbyhorse to ride, we do catch the drift (at least the millions of copies sold suggest that we do). I believe if you read this book and don't have a thoroughly enjoyable time (as you straighten out a lot of your own thinking), then it will only be because you need to come back to it in two or perhaps five years time. In addition to the above, let me say that Carnegie is also a fine writer, which helps.
Rating:
Summary: Throw away all the other management books...
Review: Because you dont need them anymore. This book really works. As a new supervisor, it was my responsibility to transfer a difficult employee to another section. I used the tips in this book and made it sound like a GREAT OPPORTUNITY and it turned out that she couldnt wait to leave! Even if you are not in management, read this book. It makes alot of sense, and the principles are based on common sense. D. Carnegie calls on the wisdom of great historical figures to proves his points.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read, But Should Be Combined With Common Sense !
Review: Carnegie's book should be read by anyone who has any occupational human interaction on a daily basis or would just like to get along better with people on a social level. It gives good practical advise on what makes people feel comfortable with you and what behavior motivates people in most cases. The book is also somewhat dated in the fact that present business and social standards have changed dramatically since this book was written. In a pure humane world this book has a place, but in today's rough and tumble fast paced changing world this book would guide you into a Gomer Pyle reality.
Rating:
Summary: THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE TOP BOOKS OF ALL TIME
Review: Dale Carneige has sure become an important influence in my life. I have most of his books and try to live by them in a religious way. I don't believe that any one can continue to fail that follows what Dale preaches. I think the biggest problem for a lot of us is to get out of the rut that were in. This book will help us reprogram our minds about being successful. I strongly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: This book is timeless! I highly recommend it!
Review: This book is timeless! I always thought the title of this book was corny, funny and "you've got to be kidding". But a friend suggested that I would like it so I read it and yes, I did like it! Dale Carnegie wrote this book in 1936 and it is amazing how many of the ideas and principles he speaks of applies to our world today. They did revise the book in 1981 so today's reader could recognize and relate to the people spoken about in the book. There are many things I liked about this book but what I found most valuable were the Principles discussed such as the one on page 62: "Be genuinely interested in other people", and the one on page 88: "Be a good listener, Encourage others to talk about themselves." The book tells you how to be a better person, how to be the best you can be, and especially relate well to others so you can have a more fulfilling satisfying life. This to me is very important. This book is fun and very interesting. It is filled with stories to compliment the different Principles discussed. I found it very enjoyable and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning how to communicate and relate better. Another book I recently read, enjoyed and recommend is called "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work" by Ariel and Shya Kane. This book also talks about specific Principles that are applicable and practical in today's world. The Kane's also have some great audio tapes that I purchased called: "Magical Relationships" and "Roots of Satisfaction".
Rating:
Summary: Create Irresistible Positive Feedback for Virtuous Success
Review: As a management consultant, I am always asking our clients and potential clients what their major issues are. It almost always boils down to persuading someone else to change. In many situations, the person describes the situation as getting worse rather than better. As I ask more questions, I soon learn that the person I am talking to is totally thinking about the issue from her or his perspective, not the perspective of the person they want to influence. Carnegie describes a situation where he and his son couldn't get a calf into the barn. They pushed and pulled, and nothing worked. A maid came out, stuck her finger into the calf's mouth to simulate feeding and the calf followed her right into the barn. As you can tell from that example, Carnegie is a student of the stimulus-response school of human behavior. The book is divided into four sections: Handling People; Getting People to Like You; Getting People to Agree with You; and Being a Leader. Each section is comprised of a few principles, which are each exemplified in a short chapter with a number of examples. Handling people has to do with avoiding the negative and unpleasant, appreciating the other person, and making the other person eager to accomplish some goal of their own. Each section follows the same format. Basically, it's the same way that you train any living being. You provide positive feedback to the person which makes them feel better, the person responds positively to you making you feel better, you then help the other person to link what you want to share with them with something they want. Many people will be offended by this idea. I have long studied that reaction and find that it relates to one of two basic assumptions: (1) the decision to act should be based on the objective merits (if I deal with emotions, I am being manipulative) or (2) I want you to acknowledge that I am right, that you are wrong, and that I am superior to you because I am right. Both of those perspectives get in the way of establishing warm human relationships. If you would rather do things without emotion, your life will be very dull. If you would always like to be right, you will be very lonely (even if you really are right). Let's look at a more fundamental question. Can these techniques be used for questionable purpoes? Probably, is my answer. However, at some point, the person's manipulative game will be found out. See Robert Cialdini's book, Influence, on what happens to smugglers of influence over time. The best results will come from those who have integrity and are principled. They and everyone else can see that they are pursuing something with another person that is in the best interests of that person, and that there are no hidden agendas. Here is where I think Carnegie is a little weak. You get the impression from the book that hidden agendas are okay. My experience is that all agendas should be totally upfront. Don't pretend you are trying to help someone, when all you are trying to do is sell them something they don't need. Do encourage them to get the information they need to make a good decision for themselves about your idea, product, or service. Leave the whole circumstance with a stronger, more trustworthy relationship than you started with. That's how I interpret the Dale Carnegie principles. If you really would like to get better results in your human relationships, this book is essential reading. To skip this book would be like skipping reading and arithmetic in grade school. It contains essential tools that everyone needs to understand. Since these things are seldom taught in schools, this is a good place to start. Modern gurus of human relationships and effectiveness like Stephen Covey and Tony Robbins have a substantial debt to Dale Carnegie. If you read all of them, you will tend to reinforce your new habits. I like the Covey and Robbins approaches as a complement to Carnegie, because both authors focus on having principles at the center of what you do. That will help reduce the risk of turning Carnegie into techniques that lead to suboptimal results, instead of a mutually reinforcing virtuous cycle for everyone. Researchers consistently show that success in many fields (such as business, politics, and teaching) is very closely related to one's social skills. Many people will work very hard to be more successful, but skimp on the relationship aspects. That's a mistake. Work on the relationships first. Enjoy having easier interactions with others, having more friends, being more influential on important subjects, being more open to being influenced by others, and leading where it needs doing!
Rating:
Summary: all time classic!
Review: No wonder this is the best selling book of all time- after the bible that is! Carnegie started giving lectures about how to give effective public speaking early in the century... then his seminars grew, he found that people were more interested to know about HOW TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE. His lecture notes gradually grew into this book and it was an instant bestseller! Very easy to read, with tons of examples from people - from famous people like Emerson, Lincoln, Franklin, etc to normal people like you and me. You'll see how applying his technique works like magic. Find out what is the one thing that EVERYBODY WANTS and literally CRAVES for. How do you make small talk and why is it so helpful in social situations? I don't understand why there are people who say his technique is old or manipulating etc... I would like to ask them one thing... what do you call 'manipulation' ? If you want to look at things that way, WHY DON'T YOU say putting make-up is manipulating (cos you're enhancing your real looks?), or putting certain good smelling things are manipulating (cos you're puting artificial smell?). Or if you say Carnegie is manipulating, then why not say all form of communication is manipulation? Frankly if you have some friends you can communicate very well with, you are already using some part of his method. It is NOT manipulating people- it's how to enhance your communication skill, to give others sincerely what they want, and receive what you want in return. Carnegie can be funny, his writing skills par excellence. Read this and make yourself extremely popular with your friends and WIN NEW FRIENDS easily!
Rating:
Summary: A classic that stands the test of time ...
Review: I first read this book when I was 15. It struck me then and it strikes me now. It never occured to me that my presentation when speaking to someone could actually influence my ability to communicate. There are two points in particular that I remember. The first is where Carnegie describes a doctor preparing to give a presentation. The doctor was knowledgable about the subject he chose but the practice presentations he gave were not well received. Carnegie advised the doctor to pick a subject he felt passionate about and BOOM, the doctor was getting a standing ovation. Keep in mind this was not a manipulation, the doctor was speaking from his heart and meant what he was saying. The second part thst has stuck with me for 25 years was seeing things from other peoples point of view. As a fifteen year old this was a rather radical idea ! Yet, this simple concept has been one of those things that has supported me in my life in SO many ways. There is another book that I would highly recommend to you as well, "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work", by Ariel and Shya Kane. The Kanes have an approach that is both profound and simple. There are no rules to follow, no long lists of Do's and Don'ts, and no preaching. The key to their approach is Awareness. The Kanes define Awareness as a non-judgmental seeing of what is. The effects on my personal and professional life have been incredible and lasting. Do yourself a huge favor and get this book.
Rating:
Summary: An all time great
Review: Absolutely the best book I have read. For as small and as easy the book is to read, it packs a powerful punch. If this book doesn't turn your life around, nothing will. I only wish that I read this book sooner.
Rating:
Summary: An Insightful Guide To Human Nature
Review: Ouch! I wish I had picked up this book about 30 years ago when I first heard about it! Oh well, better late than never, and I can say that just a little understanding of human nature (and subsequent behavior modification) yields truly astounding results. It's like an experiment with all the world as your laboratory. There is nothing new or startling presented in this book, but it's the "why" and "how" of it that makes Dale Carnegie's little gem a masterpiece. Its longevity alone speaks for the wisdom it contains.
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