GIVEAWAY ENDEDA GOOD TALK
BY DANIEL MENAKER
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A GOOD TALK is an analysis of and guide to that most exclusively human of all activities-- conversation. Drawing on over forty years of experience in American letters, Menaker pinpoints the factors that drive and enliven every good conversation: the vagaries (and joys) of subtext; the deeper structure and meaning of conversational flow; the subliminal signals that guide our disclosures and confessions; and the countless other hurdles we must clear along the way. Moving beyond self-help musings and "how to" advice, he has created a stylish, funny, and surprising book: a celebration of "the most exclusively human of all activities." In a time when conversation remains deeply important-- for building relationships, for relaxing, even for figuring out who we are-- and also increasingly imperiled (with Blackberries and texting increasingly in vogue), A GOOD TALK is a refreshing celebration of the subtle adventures of a good conversation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Daniel Menaker has been a part of America's life of letters for almost forty years. As a writer, he has met and talked to thousands of people about their work and their lives. He is widely read and well versed in psychological literature and practices and, as an editor at Random House, has had countless meetings and other exchanges with writers, agents, public figures, and ordinary people. His own writing has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, and Slate; he lives in New York with his wife and their two children.
REVIEW:
I started to wonder if I wanted to read this book or needed to read it considering I am a chatter box but am I glad I did! First of all, let me tell you that A GOOD TALK is a charming and funny book as well as informative. The history of talking sounds like a boring subject but it was really fascinating the way Menaker researched and presented it. The examples of conversation really bring home the points that Menaker is trying to make. I found myself nodding my head as I remembered being in, or listening, to such conversations.
The organization of the book made it easy to follow. Menaker begins with part one being, what else?..."Opening Remarks". The second is about the history of talking and the third and really the fourth give a survey and some risks people take in conversations as well as the roles they play. The section on Frequently Asked Questions was very thought provoking and useful. One discussed that we can relate to is what to do when the conversation is dull or stalled. He recommends things that will involve the person in having to discuss like favorite movies or books.
Although one would think this is a self-help book, it is instead a book that wants to make people understand the need for conversation and what it can bring to our lives. Menaker truly believes that people don't TALK with each other enough and if we did, the world would be a better place. I think that is not hard to agree with.
A GOOD TALK is an analysis of and guide to that most exclusively human of all activities-- conversation. Drawing on over forty years of experience in American letters, Menaker pinpoints the factors that drive and enliven every good conversation: the vagaries (and joys) of subtext; the deeper structure and meaning of conversational flow; the subliminal signals that guide our disclosures and confessions; and the countless other hurdles we must clear along the way. Moving beyond self-help musings and "how to" advice, he has created a stylish, funny, and surprising book: a celebration of "the most exclusively human of all activities." In a time when conversation remains deeply important-- for building relationships, for relaxing, even for figuring out who we are-- and also increasingly imperiled (with Blackberries and texting increasingly in vogue), A GOOD TALK is a refreshing celebration of the subtle adventures of a good conversation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Daniel Menaker has been a part of America's life of letters for almost forty years. As a writer, he has met and talked to thousands of people about their work and their lives. He is widely read and well versed in psychological literature and practices and, as an editor at Random House, has had countless meetings and other exchanges with writers, agents, public figures, and ordinary people. His own writing has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, and Slate; he lives in New York with his wife and their two children.
I started to wonder if I wanted to read this book or needed to read it considering I am a chatter box but am I glad I did! First of all, let me tell you that A GOOD TALK is a charming and funny book as well as informative. The history of talking sounds like a boring subject but it was really fascinating the way Menaker researched and presented it. The examples of conversation really bring home the points that Menaker is trying to make. I found myself nodding my head as I remembered being in, or listening, to such conversations.
The organization of the book made it easy to follow. Menaker begins with part one being, what else?..."Opening Remarks". The second is about the history of talking and the third and really the fourth give a survey and some risks people take in conversations as well as the roles they play. The section on Frequently Asked Questions was very thought provoking and useful. One discussed that we can relate to is what to do when the conversation is dull or stalled. He recommends things that will involve the person in having to discuss like favorite movies or books.
Although one would think this is a self-help book, it is instead a book that wants to make people understand the need for conversation and what it can bring to our lives. Menaker truly believes that people don't TALK with each other enough and if we did, the world would be a better place. I think that is not hard to agree with.
GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO ANNA AND THE
HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE FIVE COPIES OF THIS
GREAT BOOK TO GIVEAWAY!
THE RULES:
--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY
HOW TO ENTER:
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JANUARY 30
GOOD LUCK!
HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE FIVE COPIES OF THIS
GREAT BOOK TO GIVEAWAY!
THE RULES:
--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY
HOW TO ENTER:
+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT KIND OF THINGS YOU DO NOW THAT TAKES THE PLACE OF LIVE CONVERSATION AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?
+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JANUARY 30
GOOD LUCK!
