Rating: 
Summary: very highly recommended
Review: When I first picked up this book, I wasn't very optimistic about its content. I've got a rather solid background in conflict resolution and communication, have even taught courses in listening and small group communication. I assumed the book would be more of the same -- here's where you should nod, here's how you reflect, etc.I was pleased to find that I had misjudged the authors. Reading this book and truly incorporating its advice and philosophies can be a life-changing experience. The content here goes beyond technique and finds firm ground (surprisingly) in speaking about inner issues that arise during difficult conversations -- and it manages to do so without coming off as didactic or flakey. In fact, I would have to say that this is the first "self-help" book that didn't make me a little squirmy and rebellious -- I soaked up the information and found myself relying on the content in real life on a daily basis, and right away. I also have found myself evangelizing the book to a great extent, and have recommended it to friends I know who are having difficulty with family members, bosses, their children their neighbors -- as well as to a number of my clients who have expressed difficulty in managing up and/or down. There's something of value for just about anyone here -- even if you are already well-versed in communication and negotiation skills.
Rating:
Summary: mirror of your stress experiences
Review: This book is like a mirror which displays your soul. You can carefully reconstruct past quarrel and learn more about yourself. Just when I bought this book I had a problem with a colleague, applying the messages of the book I was straight away to the core of the problem.
After reading this book I state that nothing will change about problems you will have in the future, but you are probably better equipped to deal with them and realise that it is not a shame to feel frustrated about the absolutely normal friction in a human life. And you will have a better sense of situations which will have to go wrong, and that it is not your fault, and there is no need to blame yourself that the world is not perfect.
There is just no perfect solution to end a relationship, something has to go hot, but - and that makes the difference - you can learn beyond which border it is just a hopeless attack on your soul without any contribution to a solution which doesn't exist.
Rating:
Summary: Difficult Conversations
Review: Reading this book has changed the way I look at my conversations and relationships. It opened my eyes to becoming more effective with co-workers, family and friends. I have recommended this book to everyone that I have talked to that wants to make their home or work relationships better. This is a must for everyone's bookshelf.
Rating: 
Summary: They are a fact of life, learn how to deal with them
Review: There's nothing like the difficult conversation that has to be done. You may have to tell a friend something that you know will hurt them deeply, you may have to tell the boss that you are quitting after many years of a friendly working environment, you may have to break off a relationship or who knows what else. Difficult conversations are a part of life and often a staple part of life with a teenager. That is where this book comes in. The authors discuss the structure of these conversations and how you can get to the heart of the matter with compassion and clarity so that each party gets through it as a team or with a minimum of emotional pain. It also examines why they are difficult conversations. In short it teaches how to examine situations in terms of how each person perceived what happened, how each person feels about the situation or is likely to feel when they are confronted, and the identity issues that are involved when discussing the subject. A fine book that will help many people learn how to deal with a difficult conversation, but should be augmented by "Words that Hurt; Words the Heal" or a similar text.
Rating:
Summary: A verbal awakening
Review: I have made a living based on the words and the ways they flow from my mind to mouth. I was certain "I" knew how to have a conversation. BOOM! I have rarely had a book open my eyes so wide. If everyone will read and apply the simple rules and understandings layed out between these pages, a whole new world. Unfortunately those of us that have read this will just have to suffer through those that have not.
Rating:
Summary: Great Stuff
Review: This is a great book - As a clinical psychologist, I find it helps couples get to the heart (which is what matters) quickly and efficiently. It is a primer for communications and quite useful in a therapeutic setting. I recommend it often.
Rating:
Summary: Better Outcomes for Difficult Conversations
Review: "Delivering a difficult message is like throwing a hand grenade." For that matter, receiving a difficult message is like catching one. This book deals with the essential dilemma of communicating about unpleasant issues. The Harvard Negotiation Project's Doug Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen create an analytical framework by pointing out that each difficult conversation has three components: the factual narrative (least important), or the "What Happened?" Conversation, the Feelings Conversation, and the Identity Conversation. How each person perceives the Three Conversations will affect the course of the conversation. Insight after insight about how to turn a difficult conversation into a Learning Conversation unfold in this very solid book. I liked this book so much I bought a personal copy (now battered) after reading our public library's copy. Anyone who deals with clients, customers, friends or family can benefit from the structures in this book.
Rating:
Summary: A keeper!
Review: This book was highly useful. It really explained what causes conflict in relationships and how to talk to the people in your life about important issues in a way that is respectful and will likely preserve the relationships. The material on "The Three Conversations". as well as some of the specific techniques suggested, were particularly useful. I noticed a change in my ability to handle stressful issues immediately. The only thing that kept the book from getting 5 stars is that I did find the latter part of the book simplistic, particularly the material on listening. Again, this would be a terrific book to put on a syllabus for a communications class.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, therefore practical
Review: This is the most thought-out negotiation book I could ever think of. The authers led me to the comprehensive understanding of all elements of negotiation so that their guidance will absolutely work. This book changed me to enjoy engaging in emotionally charged difficult negotiation. Now I can be so much creative while improving my integrity and then feeling so good about myself. Yes, this is what most people already gave up on long time ago, but the structured approach in this book brought me to true joy in the most challenging negotiation. //
Rating:
Summary: It's About Life...
Review: Life is all about relationships, and this book is about life. Whether at work or at home, all of us come across difficult conversations - they're inevitable. When we get stuck, it's refreshing to know that there's a way out. That's what makes Difficult Conversations so special. Heen, Stone, and Patton share insights on how to get past arguments of right versus wrong, blame versus defend, and other obstacles to effectively dealing with our differences. The framework is simple and elegant, while at the same time explored with remarkable depth and breadth. There's a wonderful story about a student and his Aikido master. Watching his teacher demonstrate a technique, the student said, "Master - what amazes me is that you never lose your balance". The master replied, "You are wrong. I always lose my balance. The secret is that I regain my balance faster." Difficult Conversations has done exactly that for me. I've discovered ways to regain my balance when it comes to difficult conversations, faster. My copy is tattered and highlighted more than any of the recent books I've read. I found that it got even better with each chapter. The last half of the book was especially good. When it all came together at the end (the last chapter is excellent), I closed the book, thought about what I had just read, and began reading it all over again. Why not have more of a good thing? Like going for seconds.
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