Rating: 
Summary: I felt like I was reading an outline
Review: He never went into great detail on anything. The chapters were more like long paragraphs. It would have been a great and effective book if any of the ideas had been expanded upon.
Rating: 
Summary: This guy is a stud!
Review: I never thought I'd say that about a psychologist. In fact the more I re-read it (the title I gave these comments) I'm shocked. I don't usually like them. My impression of them is that they listen to people who have no one to talk to and rape them for their cash (which I find reprehensible). BUT. This guy has done excellent research (my hats off). These are the things I loved about his book:1. The purpose of the book is not to control and manipulate like the title suggests, but rather to illuminate. 2. It's packed with information (short 2-3 page chapters, summaries of the important points at the end: I.E. you can skip the verbage and go straight for the bullet points.) 3. It's obviously correct. Although years of testing and observation produced the conclusions in this book, common sense validates the results. And these aren't the kinds of things you could figure out without his book. 4. It could seriously fix a broken relationship or start a new one with nearly anyone.
Here's an example (I'd normally feel guilty giving examples, but the man has tons):
When you suspect someone of lying present them with a conundrum. The purpose is not to listen to the response but to observe the behavior. Specifically, if your husband tells you he went to the movies with friends. Mention "Oh yeah, I heard that the reason for all of the traffic after work was because of the car accident near the movie theatre. Did you see it?" This creates a stun effect. Two conditions must be met. 1) Heavy Traffic 2) A car accident. If he really went to the movies the response would blurt out, but if he didn't he has to be careful with his answer and he hesitates.
Rating: 
Summary: Trite
Review: After reading several books on psychological persuasion I got down to this one in the pile. What a disappointing waste of money & time. It feels like this book was writen over a few weekends by someone who was writing this book for the money and had no passion for the subject. While many principals are covered they are ill-explained and without any of the depth I got from reading other books. Not reccommended.
Rating:
Summary: Scarily effective techniques
Review: David J. Lieberman, Ph.D., holds a degree in psychology and is the creator of Neural-Dynamic Analysis, a short-term therapy technique. He is a speaker and consultant. He has also written two other books: Never Be Lied To Again, and Instant Analysis. This 185-page book has no index, but it does have a bibliography. It is divided into five main sections: (1) how to get people to like you; (2) how to avoid being manipulated and lied to; (3) how to get anyone to do anything; (4) how to win in competitions; (5) how to get the upper hand in difficult situations. Dr. Lieberman writes in a clear, direct, easy-to-understand style. While he doesn't provide any footnotes for the studies he refers to, the suggestions he offers are for the most part very valid according to other sources I've read discussing similar topics. There are plenty of techniques here to try in order to improve personal and professional relationships in which you feel powerless in some way; most are not complicated, and they are very likely to work. However...there is a vital issue lurking behind the idea of getting anyone to do "anything" that I must bring up: the information in this book can just as easily be used for destructive purposes as constructive ones. That is, if you learn the methods it suggests very well, you will become a master at conniving in order to fulfill your needs at other people's expense. There is zero discussion in this book of the need for ethics when using persuasion. In fact, the only value Dr. Lieberman seems to espouse is the complete egocentrism of "looking out for number one" at all times. Further warning: in my opinion, the people who are most likely to devour this book are salespersons since it is very much in the tradition of the bible of sales, How To Win Friends and Influence People. Imagine how much more easily someone who studies Dr. Lieberman's ideas will be able to steamroll the unsuspecting into buying things they don't need or want! I also worry what anti-social types could do with this knowledge. In particular, if a predator were to combine what is contained in the section on getting people to like you and the section on getting people to do what you want, they could greatly increase their chance of "success" at victimizing others without use of violence. In particular, this is a crucial issue in the matter of date rape. In this country, if violence is not used when a man induces a woman to have sex against her will, it is very difficult for her to establish legally that she was raped. Tragically, surrendering to callous manipulation and engaging in emotionally non-consensual sex (sex a woman does not truly want) can destroy her self-esteem and lead to depression. Often so deep, the woman becomes suicidal. In short, a man who "persuades" a woman this way has achieved a sense of personal power by completely destroying the personal power of another human being. Having said all that, I think that realizing how dangerous this information could be in the wrong hands is not a reason to run from this book. On the contrary, it gives a potential reader a strong motivation to buy it: it behooves all of us to not only understand how to use these formulas for healthy purposes, but to know how destructive people could apply them to hurt us and the people we love.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading to be in control of your life
Review: David J. Lieberman, Ph.D. is a recognized expert in the field of human behavior. With multiple books translated in multiple languages this is yet another fine example of his ability to give sound advice in a down to earth and useful manner. He divides the book into the five following general sections. Section 1 relates to building rapport both instant rapport and keeping it over long periods. It covers everything from first impressions, to getting someone to like you, to appearing confident, and many other items. Section 2 relates to detecting if someone is lying or manipulating you. Section 3 relates to taking control of a situation and getting people to actually do something. Getting someone to actually take your advice, follow through on a commitment, do a favor, get along together, etc. are all covered in this section. Section 4 relates to winning at a competition. Possible competitions include not only a game but job interviews, dating and similar. Section 5 relates to dealing with life's normal annoying, difficult situations. For example, people who won't return phone calls, forgiveness, breaking bad news, dealing with rumors, dealing with a complaint, dealing with jealousy, etc. It is easy to read the title to the book and assume that inside are the secrets to manipulating others and allowing you to take advantage of them. This is not the case at all as Dr. Lieberman starts on page one with the comment that these techniques are not "ways to manipulate other people into liking you". Are you going to get someone who can't stand your personality to suddenly like you and stand in line for the opportunity to do you a favor? Not likely. However, in the hectic world of today just getting someone to slow down enough to even notice you can be quite a chore. This sort of situation is where these techniques are valuable. Also if you feel manipulated by someone and don't know how to avoid it or get out of the trap then the information can be very valuable. Recognizing when you are not in control of your own desires is the first step to changing the situation. This book can help you to understand what is happening and why you feel the way you do and then it goes one step further in showing you how you can change the situation. The bottom line is that everyone should know these techniques not only so that they can recognize when they are being manipulated and can do something about it, but also so they can tell when strong feelings are not what they seem but are the result of some basic principle such as the law of association or reciprocal affection or something similar. How to make a good impression, how to change a bad one, how to stop being manipulated, how to regain control of your life, how to handle the problems of life, how to examine your feelings about someone and know if you really feel positive (or negative) about them or if it is just the normal reaction to various stimuli, it is all pretty much here in this book. If there were a great book that gave an overview of these principles this one is it. There are other great books that deal with one or two of these topics in greater detail, but none that I have read that expose you to the whole gamut of psychological principles with persuading, motivating, or getting others to at least accept your opinion as valid. A must on the bookshelf of anyone but the most recalcitrant hermit.
Rating:
Summary: Must have!!!
Review: I've read many other books on psychology where this one cuts the cake. After reading this book and using the techniques, i found that i was able to gain control over my friends and ex girlfriends. By using the right words, i was blow away by the reactions. These methods do really work and I advise everyone to use them wisely!
Rating:
Summary: Powerful, direct, effective, instant!,
Review: Imagine yourself with the "upper hand" in almost any given situation. Dr. Lieberman shows you how with this excellent treatise on the psychology of influence and persuasion. Using an ecclectic collection of techniques, including a couple of NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) techniques, you will truly learn how to never be taken advantage of again. Having nothing to do with manipulation, Dr. Lieberman's methods make use of skills and situations we all encounter every day in practically every interaction we have with others. If you are concerned that using these techniques is "unethical" or "cheating" in some way, you can let that concern simply dissolve away *right now* because, as Dr. Lieberman points out, you're playing games anyway, you might as well play to win! Even if you don't *use these skills*, you will instantly be able to spot them when someone else is using them to influence you. This is a book you shouldn't be without!! Some of my favorite chapters are: Chapter 1 "Get Anyone to Like You...Every Time" Chapter 2 "Get Anyone to Find You Irresistibly Attractive" Chapter 9 "How to Tell if Someone Is Trying to Manipulate You" Chapter 24 "Get Anyone to Return Your Phone Call Immediately" Chapter 31 "Stop Verbal Abuse Instantly" Chapter 37 "Get Anyone to Confide in You and Confess Anything" and most especially, Chapter 40 "Get Out of Almost Any Physical or Sexual Assault" This chapter alone could save your life or the life of a loved one, on just one reading through. The book is organized into 40 "mini-chapters" with the material presented in a friendly, readable style condensed into the tightest possible learning units. This revolutionary approach to teaching these revolutionary skills help you to instantly digest the material at the unconscious level and make them immediately available for your use. Not at all technical or clinical in approach, I'm sure you will be delightfully surprised at the simplicity and effectiveness of these methods, just as I was. Simply excellent! Get it today without a second thought. :-D
Rating:
Summary: Powerfull
Review: David J. Lieberman has written one great book. After reading this book I look at the world entirely different. Almost every time I see a commercial I spot a technique used in this book. One of the things I like best about it is how it is set up. If you want to get someone to do something for you, you just flip to the appropriate chapter and you're set! In fact, I used one of the techniques on my mom to get her to buy me another one of his books!
Rating: 
Summary: Add this to your library
Review: This book is not a must-have, but it certainly is a should-have.
You will get by without it, but with it you will learn how do get by a little better. Its a good read. Informative, eye-opening and somewhat entertaining. If you are a novice in the areas the book covers, you will learn alot and it will be a good starter for you. But if you are a seasoned 'dealer', it will be a mere handbook that is nice to have around. I ordered the Art of Seduction along with it. That book is to advanced for beginners but well suited to the 'seasoned'.
Rating: 
Summary: way overstated
Review: Ok, think for a minute. Get "anyone" to do "anything." Wow! "Never feel powerless again!" Never ever! "With psychological secrets" (ooooh, science) "to control and influence every situation!" Every single one! Imagine, you can be a god! If the title doesn't alert you to the fact, there is a lot of overstatement in this book. A lot. From the title to the last sentence, it never stops, it never gets less rediculous. On the other hand, check out that subtitle again: "Never Feel Powerless Again." Do you often feel powerless? If so, you will probably learn a lot from this book. Actually, the book is full of sound advice, insight into human relationships straight from actual academic psychological research. Even if you don't feel powerless often, you will probably find some decent tips in here that will improve your relationships with other people. I'm not sure which to emphasize: the fact that there is a lot of sound advice, or the fact that this author is clearly a salesman targeting socially insecure people and promising them more than he (or anyone) can ever deliver. It's not bad advice, but it is bad form. Anyway, if you think you could benefit from reading this book, you probably could. It helps me to browse it every so often, reviewing some of the principles he discusses.
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