Rating: 
Summary: A MUST for EVERY Salesperson!!
Review: I've have been in sales and sales training for over 12 years and am very successful at it. When someone recommended this tape to me, I thought, "What could I possibly get out of small talk? I'm a sales trainer. I'm great at small talk!" Now, I'm even better!Ms. Fine's ice breaker questions and topics, as well as her ideas on how to revive a dying conversation and how to avoid conversation killers were insightful and have already paid off in my interactions with my customers and prospects. For anyone who says, "I don't need small talk", I encourage you to give this tape a try. I heartily endorse it!
Rating: 
Summary: Good Basic Material
Review: I've read several books on conversation. Debra presents good basic information here. She has an enthusiastic tone. One problem with (abridged)instructional audio tapes (as opposed to story tapes)is that they have little depth and the information goes by quickly (you wouldn't try to learn calculus by audio tape would you?). I suggest supplementing the audio tape with her book or another book on the same topic.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent
Review: If you are an intelligent person and a decent conversationalist you may not need this. It covers the basics and a lot of it is common sense. It could have easily delved into a much more advanced and detailed system and structure but it's really just a basic frame for conversation. I was done with it in about an hour - its not that extensive but its a good basic program.
Rating:
Summary: Motivational, but not sure it helped me
Review: In listening to the tapes I was thinking to myself that Debra made a lot of sense and offered some good advice. She is also pleasant to listen to, as far as a tape on small talk goes. Once you actually try to apply the tips she gives you though, it is a whole other story. I find it very akward to say things like, "Really, and how did that affect you?" Or, "Tell me about your family." to strangers. I mean, who says that? lol There are some little tips on information collecting that proved useful, but some of her actual "conversation starters" I fear I won't be using. Worth listening to for the price... maybe try to borrow it from a friend though first. :)
Rating:
Summary: A very helpful book
Review: It is a good book because it teaches you the basics for starting a conversation and keep the same going.
Rating:
Summary: BEGINNINER GUIDE...PERIOD
Review: Ms. Fine's tape provides basic guidelines on how to start and maintain a conversation. However, Ms. Fine is providing hints on small talk, not integral calculus. While the tape is relatively easy to follow, the subject matter is not particularly high level, in spite of the difficulty casual conversations often present to many intelligent people. Keep in mind that while the tape does provide helpful advice it is not a silver bullet for shy or uninterested people. For the shy, you still have to approach people and take the risk that, inspite of Ms. Fine's avice, you may be rejected. For the uninterested, you will need a class on acting- being able to engage another in conversation requires you to be truly interested in what one has to say. Only the most shallow will not be able to see through the manipulative veneer of those simply going through the motions of asking open ended questions.
Rating: 
Summary: tedious and obvious
Review: The author/speaker took a lot of time to say a very few useful things. The rest was more like a course in conversational good manners for 10- to 12-year olds. I found Ms. Fine's delivery to be quite irritating and not at all illuminating or inspiring. Thank goodness for Amazon.com's return policy!
Rating:
Summary: Fianlly...help for the conversationally-challenged
Review: The Fine Art of Small Talk is fantastic! Author Debra Fine gives wonderful ideas and tips for starting, maintaining and ending a conversation. The Fine Art of Small Talk is perfect for anyone who's less than completely secure about his or her conversation skills, anyone who wants to overcome feeling awkward or tongue-tied, and especially for anyone who wants to learn to gracefully deal with people who talk to much, offer unsolicited advice, etc., etc. I've found that the tips in the book are perfect for both business and social settings. I can tell that using the advice makes a big difference in how people respond. The Fine Art of Small Talk really has had a positive impact. Be warned, though: you may - as I did - see yourself among the list of the author's "conversation offenders!" Not surprisingly, the book is written in an engaging, conversational style and, in addition to being helpful, is extremely enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Rent it! Very clear and crisp advice
Review: The issue is that most us find it difficult to have a small talk specially with strangers. The conclusion is that if you take the risk (of rejection) and burden of making the small talk, you will reap the benefits. The examples are good. I like it for the clarity and crispness. I am going to try the advise since it is not too difficult.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant: Step by step gumption!
Review: This book does not challenge those of us without "moxie" to somehow develop it. Nor does the book insist that introverts somehow change their personality. Instead, this book provides conversational tools and techniques that one can
implement at a party, networking event or even during a job interview. I would recommend it highly for anyone who is sick of hearing that there is something wrong with them for being shy. The author acknowledges her struggle with shyness and provides skills for conversational comfort in almost any situation.
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