Rating: 
Summary: Where or when is this author from?
Review: This book is just horrible. The author gives tips on catch phrases like "Nice weather today" and other such horrible conversation starters, and ice breakers. I don't suggest this book for anybody looking to break their shyness, or anybody trying to continue a conversation with anybody but a 5yr old. I don't understand who the author wrote this book for, but it is either for a very very small town, or a very very small town in the 1950's. But if you are one of those people who actually want to learn how to continue a conversation without akward pauses, and want to learn to continue or make a compelling conversation with yourself and your partner then I suggest Talking the Winners Way by Leil Lowndes. She gives 92little tricks with examples to make sure you won't forget them, after you read it, it almost becomes a part of you.
Rating: 
Summary: Probably the most helpful review...
Review: This book is written by a woman, for women. Being male and reading this book, i quickly saw how useless this book is for me. I am not being sexist so quit mounting your offense, i am simply stating fact. Her lack of knowledge on the male spectrum of this lack of communication skill is obvious. She knows what it's like for women, but cannot speak for men.
Rating:
Summary: More harm than good
Review: This book starts off by letting you know that by being shy you are being perceived by many as being arrogant, haughty or pretentous. Great, so it's worse than I thought. What follows are alot of open-ended questions that I can never see myself using and some very general advice about body language, social personality types and so on. There's not much substance at all that I found to be useful.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This book was a real disappointment. Although the information on the cover doesn't say so, it's aimed almost exclusively at people in business situations; almost all of Fine's examples deal with corporate conferences and other networking events. For example, her top suggested line for exiting conversations is "I need to go see the exhibits." She continually emphasizes how improving your small talk skills will win you new clients, a promotion, etc. What about just making friends? The idea that you might want to improve your conversational skills in everyday social or family situations is hardly mentioned at all.
Fine also has some peculiar ideas about what constitutes "small talk." She offers a long list of "icebreakers" for initiating conversations with people you don't know. Unfortunately nearly all of these are too personal, too serious, or just bizarre. Imagine trying to strike up a conversation with a stranger by saying, "If you could replay any moment in your life, what would it be?" The person would just think you're either nosy or a kook. She even suggests using political statements as conversation starters, which is just asking for trouble.
There are a few good suggestions in the book; she has useful advice for dealing with egocentric people who talk endlessly about themselves. However, all of Fine's good ideas could easily fit on two or three pages.
Rating: 
Summary: This cassette provides a common sense apprach to small talk
Review: This cassette was more of a reaffirmation of what I (and most people) already know. Although it did not give much new insight, it clarified some ideas that most know but do not use. The trick is to implement the ideas.
Rating: 
Summary: Very specific suggestions...just what I needed
Review: This is a good thing for those of us who are clueless about what to even say. There are many good suggestions for exactly what to ask people. I have used a lot of these suggestions with good success. They are things you can actually say without sounding phony. Very entertaining delivery. Author used to be a fat, shy engineer - so she knows what it's like!
Rating: 
Summary: useful but average.
Review: This is a taped about 100 minutes seminar. It starts with introduction about " fear of public specking", and the benefits of small talk. The main content of the seminar is about icebreaker, talking to acquaint, skills in conversations and body languages. It ends with conversational killers.
I felt that the content could be delivered in about half the time, as most things are rather obvious. Yes there are many useful and helpful advices, especially with open-ended questions, and rephrasing few "daily questions" but their delivery on the audiotapes takes rather a long time. I agree with others to be careful not to be transformed to a nagging conversational, and not to ask annoying questions.
Overall it is an average taped seminar.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is an excellent tape. It gives you concrete things to do to improve your conversational skills. Tells you how to start a conversation and keep it going for business and professional use.
Rating:
Summary: the exact real-life experience is very helpful
Review: This is my first audio book and second one on small talk. Though the 'tricks' Ms Fine provided is not uncommon in this field, she presented them with passion, which makes a great difference.What is more, Ms Fine does a great job to illustrate her points with vivid and helpful examples. For example, I believe many of us know that we should ask the so called 'opened ended' questions to keep converstaion going, but exactly what are open ended questions, and how one should ask them? Ms. Fine gives the answer, with vivid, to-the-point examples. Personally, I learn a lot from this audio tape, because of the use of examples, instead of just theory and high level statements.
Rating:
Summary: Delivers, but could be so much more
Review: Two of the four sides of this set are extremely good. The others add information but not in the same "wow, this is great stuff" way. Example: Side 1, the Introduction, starts with "Debra, is it ok to be shy?" And her witty retort is "Yes, it is very ok to be shy." Repetitious and dumb sounding. Side 4 on Listening is marred by imperfections as she intentionally confuses logcial, literal phrases with poor listening skills ("Put a dot ON the letter i, NOT above it!! You weren't listening!") However, I rate this four stars because the content is easily digested and presented, the price is right, and, despite my shyness, I am seeing noticeable improvements after one week of listening to the set twice. The set is geared towards both business and personal users, and emphasizes them about equally. I particularly enjoyed learning how to make appropriate small talk at a wake, and how to avoid conversation killers.
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